At numerous times in the book, he expresses doubts or regrets over decisions he just made. When he gives money to the Marmeladov family, he reflects, “What a stupid thing to have done…They have their Sonya and I need it myself”(27). Immediately after he makes a decision, he starts to doubt and second-guess that choice. To be constantly questioning himself must take a tremendous mental toll on his body, as he is always fighting within himself over whether to do something or not. Later, after reading the letter from his mother about his sister’s fiancé, Raskolnikov starts thinking “‘It won’t happen? And how are you going to keep it from happening?...Go on, think what may happen to your sister after those ten years, or during those ten years. Have you guessed?’...He kept tormenting and taunting himself with these questions”(44-45). At this point, it is clear that Raskolnikov’s multiple personalities are fighting against each other. While he wants to help his sister, the other side of him loves to torment him and make him imagine sad fates for the few people he can actually love. The use of the words “torment” and “taunt” showcase how hurtful he can be to himself, which obviously brings down his confidence. In fact, part of Raskolnikov’s name is the Russian word for split or schism, probably referencing the internal split in his mind that Raskolnikov has. The idea that one cannot control or agree with themselves on their own decisions is truly sad, and it is for this reason that Raskolnikov chooses to take back the control he craves in his life by killing the
At numerous times in the book, he expresses doubts or regrets over decisions he just made. When he gives money to the Marmeladov family, he reflects, “What a stupid thing to have done…They have their Sonya and I need it myself”(27). Immediately after he makes a decision, he starts to doubt and second-guess that choice. To be constantly questioning himself must take a tremendous mental toll on his body, as he is always fighting within himself over whether to do something or not. Later, after reading the letter from his mother about his sister’s fiancé, Raskolnikov starts thinking “‘It won’t happen? And how are you going to keep it from happening?...Go on, think what may happen to your sister after those ten years, or during those ten years. Have you guessed?’...He kept tormenting and taunting himself with these questions”(44-45). At this point, it is clear that Raskolnikov’s multiple personalities are fighting against each other. While he wants to help his sister, the other side of him loves to torment him and make him imagine sad fates for the few people he can actually love. The use of the words “torment” and “taunt” showcase how hurtful he can be to himself, which obviously brings down his confidence. In fact, part of Raskolnikov’s name is the Russian word for split or schism, probably referencing the internal split in his mind that Raskolnikov has. The idea that one cannot control or agree with themselves on their own decisions is truly sad, and it is for this reason that Raskolnikov chooses to take back the control he craves in his life by killing the