Raskolnikov's Punishment Essay

Raskolnikov is reticent to accept Sonya’s forgiveness because he is unwilling to humble himself, but she constantly encourages him to repent and accept the forgiveness that is offered. Sonya firmly 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’” (Dostoyevsky 420). The idea of falling to the earth is something that indicates humility throughout the novel. Sonya’s forgiveness is unconditional in regards to Raskolnikov’s sin, but there is a condition for him to be able to accept it; he must humble himself. Sonya wants Raskolnikov to accept forgiveness because God’s forgiveness, once she accepted it, changed her life. Her love for him compels her to encourage him constantly, even when he is unreceptive. Raskolnikov begins to recognize this, when “He looked at Sonya and felt how much of her love was on him, and strangely, he suddenly felt it heavy and painful to be loved like that” (Dostoyevsky 422). Raskolnikov does not accept love easily, and generally pushes away those who help him out of love. He still struggles with Sonya’s love, but he identifies its power and recognizes that forgiveness is borne out of love. He does not reject Sonya when she
By offering the cross, Sonya encourages Raskolnikov to pursue repentance through Christ. Because Raskolnikov murdered Lizaveta, her cross being brought up in the conversation reminds Raskolnikov exactly why he needs to repent and be forgiven. Sonya offers the forgiveness that she received in order to reflect God. This forgiveness is conditional in that Raskolnikov needs to repent to accept it; she encourages him to repent through her deep love, which he recognizes, and a sharing of her