Crime and Punishment

Thesis Statement : Women in this story may have lived in a male dominated society, but it seemed that the words the women spoke in this story were very strong in influencing the men. Sonya plays a major role in Raskolnikov's life, being the person Raskolnikov relies on while he was in and out of prison. Raskolnikov felt a heavy connection with Sonya because she was a prostitute and he was a murderer, which let him feel like they've both committed sins. Because of Sonya's self-sacrificing actions it led to Raskolnikov to depend on Sonya and soon end up loving her. Sonya's behavior was beneficial for both her and Raskolnikov. Sonya gave Raskolnikov purpose in continuing to live by using the power of Christ and religion. In return Sonya self-sacrificing behavior towards Raskolnikov, gave her a new start in life in Siberia. Dunya also plays a role in Raskolnikov's life as she was willing to sacrifice herself to give him a better future, by giving her hand in marriage to Pyotr Petrovich. Sonya is a support system to Raskolnikov as she allows him to see the wrongness in the crimes he has done. Sonya heavily uses God as her support system and urges Raskolnikov to do the same, as she wishes him to redeem himself for his murderous acts. Sonya tells Raskolnikov “Go, now this minute stand in the crossroads, bow down, and first kiss the earth you've defiled, then bow, to the whole world, on all four sides, and say aloud to everyone: 'I have killed!' Then God will send you life again” (Part 5 p.420). Sonya wants Raskolnikov to accept God and redeem so his suffering/guilt will disappear. Sonya is willing to follow Raskolnikov wherever he goes, showing her self-sacrificing behavior even though many times Raskolnikov has frighten Sonya and done things that he knows bothers her. Sonya represents the voice of God, even though God is a man, showing women can redeem the man. Before this event Sonya read the story of Lazarus to Raskolnikov, which represents Raskolnikov's life. Raskolnikov's life went down hill after he murdered Alyona and Lizaveta. Lazurus was also plagued by disease just like Raskolnikov, when he felt his guilt, which led him to suffering. Although Raskolnikov murdered Alyona, and Lizaveta, Sonya still accepted Raskolnikov. She represents Christ as she pulled him from his miserable period in life and wanted him to start anew. After this reading of Lazurus, Raskolnikov expresses his need for Sonya as he states “ None of them will understand anything, if you start talking with them...but I understand. I need you, and so I've come to you” (Part 4. p.329). At this point Raskolnikov had abandoned his family and was now reliant on Sonya being his main support. Sonya took on the problems that Raskolnikov have even though she was dealing with her problems of family death, Katerina, and herself living in poverty. Raskolnikov knew that being alone was not healthy and Sonya was in the same situation, so he took advantage and told her he will tell her who killed Lizaveta, which also tormented Sonya's conscience. Sonya's self-sacrifice also paid off when Petrovich accused her of stealing his money off of his counter top (Part 5 p.402). Raskolnikov was able to rid her of the accusation, which in benefit got rid of Petrovich and allowed Sonya to go free without having to go to jail. Even during this part we can see the relationship between Sonya and Raskolnikov grow stronger as Raskolnikov compares Petrovich to Sonya's finger and as he allows Sonya to sit next to his family (Part 5 p.402). Sonya was also friends with a man named Andrei Semyonovich who believed that man and women should have equal rights, which conflicts with the views that Petrovich has. Andrei views Sonya as a good person in her nature despite her being a prostitute, while Petrovich viewed her as less than a person because she was a prostitute and a woman. Sonya gave these two men different views for women, for Andrei equal and for Petrovich women should obey the man in power. Dunya is another female character who wasn't like most women in the story because she was confident in her own abilities, but was willing to do just about anything for her brother Raskolnikov to succeed. Her husband Pyotr Petrovich had different ideas of what a perfect woman would be. One part of the book states “ In deepest secret, he entertained the rapturous young, pretty, well born and educated, very intimidated, who had experienced a great many of misfortunes and was utterly cowed before him.” (Part 4 p.307). Petrovich had the view that the women should be subservient and grateful for all the deeds he does for them. He wanted the women to obey him in every way (Part 4 p.307) Dunya was willing to take this position as his wife, as she believed that she could fulfill all tasks that Petrovich needed. Dunya also took advances in her pay so that she and her mother could support Raskolnikov throughout his schooling. Dunya's self-sacrificing actions led to Raskolnikov to feel guilt and hate toward Petrovich. Raskolnikov stated to Dunya after reading the letter “This threat to leave is the same as a threat to abandon you both if you disobey” (Part 3 p.235) Petrovich saw the role of women was to obey him or he would leave, which shows his single-mindedness in his thinking. His only care was his money in this story. Although Dunya was giving herself to him he cared much more for his money than for her. At the end Dunya's self-sacrifice for her brother Raskolnikov paid off for her as she gained a husband Razumikhin . Dunya's relationship with Svidrigailov is different from other relationships because Dunya takes form in more of stronger role, where she stands up to the man. During the scene in Svidrigailov apartment Dunya states “Though I know that you are a man...without honor, I am not in the least afraid of you” (Part 6 p.488). Like Raskolnikov they both mess around with women. Raskolnikov tormented Sonya by kissing her feet and unleashing his burdens upon her, while, Svidrigailov offered protection for Raskolnikov if she were to get back together with him. The women in this story had the power of verbal influence over the man despite the men having physical power. Dunya was able to get her way through her words instead if having to fight Svidrigailov. Svidrigailov similar to Petrovich believed that the more thing they gave to Dunya (women) the more love they would receive, but it never worked out since they both wanted to dominate the woman. Also during this scene he calls Dunya a girl when he states “...Why on earth should a girl go alone to a singles man apartment?...you still won't prove anything: force is very difficult to prove...” (Part 6. p494) Svidrigailov as a man still saw himself in a powerful position even when Dunya took out a pistol. Svidrigailov soon ended up with him committing suicide, because he was not able to get what he wanted, which was Dunya. Sonya and Dunya were two self-sacrificing characters in this story, which in return paid off for them. For Sonya she obtained a new start in life and for Dunya she obtained a new husband. Each character played a mother like role toward Raskolnikov, whether it was sending money off to him or simply advising him in the ways of redemption. Raskolnikov had much inner struggle whether he was an extraordinary man, but Sonya solved his problems when she asked him to redeem himself. Redeeming himself in the way of God was different from his original ideas, where he felt he fail because he didn’t become a Napoleon. Dunya a more confident character compared to Sonya was able to hold her ground against women, but still relied on men to become successful herself. She was willing to marry Petrovich to become rich and for her brother to become successful.