Isa's 3rd 500 Post

Like any “tragic flaw”, Raskolnikov’s excessive hubris eventually leads to his downfall. One of the deeper consequences due to his pride is the isolation that Raskolnikov subjects himself to. He has effectively driven away the “beloved’’ in his life. Only Sonja seems to still believe in him, and that is only on the promise of his surrender. Once boastful and sure of himself, Raskolnikov now lives in constant paranoia and fear of his imminent capture.  It is fairly ironic that such a prideful man has morphed into the weaker individual; exactly the type of man he despises. His rejection of support has led him to a diminished state.

“Dreams are the royal roads to the unconscious.” Famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud is noted for the importance he placed on dreams. If one were to apply Freud’s methods to Raskolnikov, then Raskolnikov’s complex character could be deciphered. The reader greets and says Farwell to Raskolnikov with his first and last dream. The two trances contrast the differences in mind set as time goes on.    In the prison infirmary, Raskolnikov dreamt of an apocalyptic world where a plague swept across the nations. A select few are able to survive while the majority of the world parish at the hands of this infection. Superficially, one could say that the survivors represent the superior men that deserve and have found a way to survive amongst filth. But the countless deaths that occur also symbolize the repressed guilt that is only shown unconsciously, for Raskolnikov’s pride masks any remorse while awake.  Raskolnikov could easily be transferring himself as the actual illness. It is men like himself that infects society and kills those that are weaker.  It is interesting to note that Raskolnikov never gives an explicit reason for his so called superiority.  It is simply that he is born so gifted. The lack of explanation could be an actual ignorance. Raskolnikov himself has no explanation but his pride does not allow him to think of such a thing.