Comparing Dostoyevsky's Crime And Punishment

Often, in the course of studying a novel, the reader comes to realize

that much of the author himself is present in the work. His or her ideas,

morals, beliefs, and traits are molded to fit the forms of characters. In

Fydor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment, these ideas took human form,

and can be described as "an idea always having a skin around it, a human

personality." Dostoyevsky's character, Sofia (Sonia) Marmelodov, is a true

example of this. Sonia represented the human propensity for suffering, and the

ability of one to remain pure while being surrounded by filth and degradation.

She truly showed how strong and great the human spirit can ultimately be.

Throughout tremendous poverty, separation
and ultimately the death of her

family, Sonia was able to overcome adversity, with her faith in God and herself

still intact. All of these ideas in addition to other character attributes grew

together and resulted in the creation of the literary life of Sonia Marmelodov.

Sonia Marmelodov was first introduced to Rodia Raskolnikov, the

protagonist of the novel, by her father, Semion Marmelodov, after the two men

had met in a bar. Semion believed that Rodia would immediately recognize the

magnanimity of Sonia's personality, and felt that they would get along well.

Sonia had given herself up to the streets, and was now living by the "yellow

ticket" so her family could have a steady sense of income. Her family meant the

world to her, and she would do anything to support them. She gave her last

rubles to her alcoholic father so that he could buy a flask of alcohol (instead of

buying food for his starving family, or getting a decent set of clothing so he

could get a job), she gave her brand new dress collars to her stepmother who

has no use for them at all, and was an unshakable foundation for Raskolnikov

through his problematic road to redemption. Sonia never asked for an

explanation or a reason as to why she should offer herself and her possessions

up so readily; knowing that someone was in need of them was enough. Sonia

kept herself above the filth that surrounded her by helping others and never

asking a favor in return. The idea of placing others before ones self is truly

dominant in the character of Sonia Marmelodov, and Dostoyevsky himself made

it a priority to stress this. Sonia functioned as a foil to Raskolnikov; she

complemented his imperfections so that they fit together extremely well. Where

he was self-indulgent, her selflessness was exceedingly obvious.

An act of supreme suffering that directly correlated to this was Sonia's

forced separation from her family. Sonia wanted nothing more than to be

surrounded by the family that adored her and called her, "their salvation."

Raskolnikov wanted nothing more than to get away from his family, who were

worried about his well being and safety. Since she made her living by selling

herself, she was not allowed to be in close contact with those of "acceptable

stature." Instead, Sonia lived in true squalor, in the smallest room of the filthy

house of a man who stuttered. The only contact she had with her family was

through stealthy night visits where she had to disguise her appearance and

remain quiet, so no one would report her family, and get them thrown out of

their apartment.

Upon entrance to her home, Raskolnikov, was aghast at the terrible state

that this frail beauty resided in. This supreme sacrifice of her free will shows

that Sonia is ready and willing to suffer, and accept the burden that was placed

on her slim shoulders. She believed that if she was good and did not complain,

God would be exceedingly generous to her in the afterlife. This was the rope

that Sonia clung too, the only thing that was able to help her through the awful

days and the even lonelier nights.

Despite her poverty, she remained completely pure, untouched by the

surrounding filth which crept into every pore and person of Petersburg. Sonia

lived her life by the rules of her Bible, and often studied and discussed it with

Lizaveta, (one of the victims of Raskolnikov's deranged murder). Sonia had

placed her life into the hands of God. She firmly believed that what was

happening to her now was just a test of her will and if she passed, nothing could

prepare her for the ultimate glory of living in Heaven. The second time

Raskolnikov came to visit Sonia, he made her read the story of Lazarus rising

from the dead. They get into a strong debate before she reads, and in it, Sonia

defines her beliefs for him. ""…God sends much unhappiness to him whom he

loves very much and in him whom he has much hope, so that he may learn and

see for himself, because the misery of the people is more obvious in their

unhappiness than in their happiness…" Sonia was blind to what went on around

her. The only way she survived this ultimate challenge was to focus, and

concentrate only on the most important things; her family, her religion, and

Raskolnikov.
She had given up any idea of an earthly salvation, and

concentrated solely on Heavenly redemption. Her faith in God is unfaltering.

Even when she was called a "holy fool," she stuck to her beliefs. Although she

spent the majority of her day in a painted face, with tarnished slippers, and cast-

off finery, her mind and heart were always elsewhere. In the Ernest J. Simmons

essay, "The Art of Crime and Punishment," Sonia was described as being, "..a

kind of living universal symbol of crushed and suffering humanity that bears

within itself the undying seed of joyous resurrection." In her, Sonia not only held

the key for a personal resurrection, but the key to the resurrection of Rodia's

soul as well. "Life is the expiation of sin through suffering." She was looked to

not only as a support, but also a redeemer. The idea of Sonia as the redeemer

was also a strong theme in Crime and Punishment. In the Greek language,

"Sofia", Sonia's real name, means wisdom. Not only did she speak with wisdom

when offering advice, she lived it.

In this respect, Sonia can also be looked to as a Christ figure. She
was

the one whom everyone went to for guidance and help. During a visit to her

step-mother and siblings, her mother Katerina, gets down on her knees and

begged for forgiveness, kissing and grabbing at Sonia's feet. In a similar act,

Raskolnikov did the same thing; truly showing how unworthy they were, and

how pure Sonia was in comparison.

Sonia is truly one of the most complex and idealistic characters in Crime and Punishment. The tremendous way in which she suffers in every aspect of

life, is not the most intruiging facet in her character; it is rather the way in which

she dealt with it. Despite the facts that she is denied the privilege of living with

her beloved family, that she lives in the most destitute quarters in Petersburg,

that her father has died in her arms, and that her love for Raskolnikov goes quite

a long time without being returned, nothing changes her belief that God will

come through for her, and redeem her for her earthly purity. Sonia was

continually forced to battle life, in all its' harshness, to which she was no match.

Her sole consolation was her religion. Dostoyevsky has the unique talent of

giving his characters an actual personality; he breathes life into them by allowing

them to have flaws, doubts, and extreme moments of catharsis. In Sonia, he

created the symbol of suffering, of compassion and redemption, and of religion.

Each of these ideas are formed around specific actions that she does; things that

she says, and the way she lives her life. The meek actions of an orphaned

prostitute ultimately changed the course of the novel, by making every character

aware of their own abilities to be just as humble as Sonia Marmelodov.