Alex's 3rd 500 Words

    Raskolnikov’s guilt stemming from the murders of Lizaveta and the Pawnbroker, deems to be unbearable physically and emotionally. Guilt is a natural cognitive or an emotional experience that occurs when a person realizes or believes that he or she has compromised his or her own standards of conduct or has violated a moral standard, and bears significant responsibility for that violation. Although guilt is usually associated with feelings of regret, Raskolnikov does not show any signs of regret for his actions. The crimes seem to have been a mishap in communication between his conscience and his body. Raskolnikov  takes responsibility for the crimes committed at the start of the book. He grows a desire or need of self-inflicted punishment, for the purpose of relieving the burden and giving him a sense of closure or retribution for his actions. He drives himself into isolation, which only serves to intensify his inner sense of self-condemnation. The novel depicts the struggle of the human psyche against guilt. This struggle shows just how prone one is to physical and mental deterioration when confronted with the tremendous burden of guilt. Raskolnikov is not able to withstand the effects of guilt; physically nor emotionally. His internal drive to serve the consequences for his actions, ease him into a mental inner loop of thought and worry. He becomes jailed in his own mind, where expectations for his rightful or deserved punishment become increasingly strict. His room is his jail cell as well as his mind. The internal struggle to keep this abominable secret proves stronger than his emotional capacity. Other than mental isolation, Raskolnikov physically barricades himself from the world. He avoids social encounters at all costs and eventually becomes unable to participate in any kind of social activity. Anyone who tries to help Raskolnikov becomes the enemy- the world itself is the enemy. The unbalance of physical and emotional forces reaches its peak during this period of intense rejection and isolation. Raskolnikov merely relies on the help of others, which he refuses. However, he is unable to function or survive in society without it.