Raskolnikov’s Duplistic Nature in Crime and Punishment :: Crime Punishment Essays

Dostoevskys disgust and Punishment is the story of a poor man in czaristic Russia who can only purge himself of his guilt through suffering. It deals with the mental and natural tribulation brought upon him by his crime. His troubles are compounded by the conflicting personalities which he possesses. The proofreader is inclined to characterize him by his cold, intellectual side. Yet, without the contrasting humanist side of his reputation, Raskolnikov never realizes the errors in his theory and actions. Raskolnikov is defined by the duplistic nature of his personality, with each facet being just as vital as the other.Raskolnikovs cold side leads him to develop his theory, and thus to commit murder. This side of him bases exclusively decisions on reason and rationalization (although it is sometimes incorrect), rather than on feeling. It is rigorously stoical, without emotion. The other side of his character is kind and compassionate. Without this side being presented the reader views him as an evil murderer, and not a mislead victim, as Dostoevsky intends.In the novel Raskolnikov engages in sporadic acts of kindness. He gives money to the Marmeladov family, he attempts to care Marmeladov when he dies, and he tries to get a drunken girl syndicate and away from her pursuer. All of these deeds were done without premeditation. He simply feels that at the time it is the right thing to do. After a short head of time his outlook dramatically reverses. He starts to rationally analyze what he has done, and then feels that his actions were stupid. This transition marks the return of his cold side, and it occurs after either kind thing that Raskolnikov does.