Raskolnikov Character Analysis
Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, the protagonist in Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s novel Crime and Punishment is a penniless Russian ex-student who undergoes a psychological downfall after murdering his landlord Alyona Ivanovna and her sister. Throughout the novel Dostoyevsky utilizes specific numbers correlating with Raskolnikov’s mental state. Numerous numbers in the text have religious significance due to Dostoyevsky’s firm religious beliefs.
The reiteration of the number two in the novel symbolizes the growing estrangement of Raskolnikov from society. In the Bible the two water’s, earthly waters and heavenly waters were separated by God on the second day. When the number two is used Raskolnikov is
Another biblical number with significance is seven which means perfection. Dostoyevsky often uses this number to give insight on the detailed plans which form is Raskolnikov’s brain. Raskolnikov was “about seven years old”(67) when he left his house for his studies, which reflect on the age being perfect for his departure. The age seven could also represent …show more content…
This number is found very early in the book which suggests that there are other reason to why Raskolnikov went crazy not only the regret he had killing the two women. Seven hundred thirty is the precise number which Raskolnikov counted from ___ to ___ which conveys that he had already planned the murder much time before it actually took place. Which could bring the argument up that Raskolnikov’s murder of Alyona was not a crime. Which means that the only crime he committed in part one of the book is the killing of Alyona’s sister. Raskolnikov’s immaculate eye for details can be seen throughout Crime and Punishment, he is able to distinguish a person’s age by just looking at them.
Universality is an idea which can briefly be distinguished in Crime and Punishment, this idea is related to the number
The reiteration of the number two in the novel symbolizes the growing estrangement of Raskolnikov from society. In the Bible the two water’s, earthly waters and heavenly waters were separated by God on the second day. When the number two is used Raskolnikov is
Another biblical number with significance is seven which means perfection. Dostoyevsky often uses this number to give insight on the detailed plans which form is Raskolnikov’s brain. Raskolnikov was “about seven years old”(67) when he left his house for his studies, which reflect on the age being perfect for his departure. The age seven could also represent …show more content…
This number is found very early in the book which suggests that there are other reason to why Raskolnikov went crazy not only the regret he had killing the two women. Seven hundred thirty is the precise number which Raskolnikov counted from ___ to ___ which conveys that he had already planned the murder much time before it actually took place. Which could bring the argument up that Raskolnikov’s murder of Alyona was not a crime. Which means that the only crime he committed in part one of the book is the killing of Alyona’s sister. Raskolnikov’s immaculate eye for details can be seen throughout Crime and Punishment, he is able to distinguish a person’s age by just looking at them.
Universality is an idea which can briefly be distinguished in Crime and Punishment, this idea is related to the number