Crime And Punishment, By Fyodor Dostoyevsky

In its basic form, nihilism is seen as extreme cynicism where humans neglect existence and reject aesthetic and religious moralities. Thus, values, customs, and beliefs are bare and unfounded according to nihilistic behavior. Crime and Punishment, a novel written by Fyodor Dostoevsky, displays this dangerous skepticism in a literary sense. While Dostoyevsky writes this novel, nihilism grows among the many young activists in 19th century Russia. Through historical evidence, nihilists during this era seek to overthrow the established norms by the Russian government. Dostoyevsky demonstrates his disinclination to this concept, by implementing this anarchic behavior through the main character, Raskolnikov. Radicals like Raskolnikov conduct themselves in arrogant and lawless mannerisms because of the nihilist mindset they gain from the pessimistic Russian society.
Throughout the story, Raskolnikov’s behavior alludes to many nihilist principles.
His voluntary aloofness reveals the concept that relationships are worthless and empty. Similarly to the historic young Russian radicals, the main character avoids human interaction because of his self-induced isolation. Raskolnikov is able to remove himself from the citizens of Russia both physical and mentally. His exclusion from society simply advances his nihilistic inclinations. As a result of this, he acquires the persona of the “superman”. The idea of the “superman” derives from the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, who refers to it as the separation between the weak and the strong. The strong is only populated by a minority of humanity. Raskolnikov’s desire to be against traditional norms places him as a figurative “superman”, who is superior and above the
laws.
From gaining self-imposed assurance, he is able to validate his murder he commits of Alyona and Lizaveta. His superiority complex and superego lead him to believe he has the aptitude to be better than the rest of civilization. During this Russian revolution, nihilism was advocating utilitarianism. In other words, it is idea that the great majority should be pleased and happy with moral decisions. As a result of this characteristic of this time period, Raskolnikov rationalizes the murder of the pawnbroker and her sister on a practical basis. At this point in the novel, he suggests that the people wanted her gone and convinces himself that he did a good dead by eliminating her from society.

Raskolnikov allows his nihilistic mentality to drive his behavior throughout Crime and Punishment. He disregards his family as well as the people he sees on a daily basis. During this philosophical era, many radicals, like himself, saw violence to be a key element of their success in their rebellion. Raskolnikov commits murders that he justifies and convinces himself to be proper. For the majority of the novel, this dominates his personality. However, he is able to overcome this state of mind because of the one woman he truly loves, Sonya. Raskolnikov is able to see past his nihilistic state as she is actually well respected and appreciated within the community. It allows him to see how love and close relationship are truly the proper way to live life. Nevertheless, because of the Russian political and social issues, individuals like Raskolnikov resorted to violence and unethical based behaviors.