Raskolnikov’s alter egos
Midterm Essay
Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment is a book with many twists that does what no other book had done during its time: puts the reader into the mind of a conflicted man who takes the life of another human being. The main character, Rodion Raskolnikov interacts with many characters throughout the course of the novel, or so it seems, as the people with whom Raskolnikov interacts are only extensions of himself. Throughout the novel, Dostoevsky consistently describes Raskolnikov as being “uneasy” and in an “almost morbid state of irritability and tension” (1). This state of mind is due to the extreme split of Raskolnikov’s personality, which is illustrated by two prominent characters: Sonya Marmeladova, Raskolnikov’s humane half who cares about others, and Svidrigailov, who embodies his evil and sadistic side and makes Raskolnikov want to alienate himself from society. The two alter egos are in a constant struggle for Raskolnikov’s awareness throughout the course of the novel. He is characterized as alternating from one to the other, and the struggle between his personas causes his feeling of guilt to emerge. It is guilt that leads Raskolnikov to create another persona: Porfiry Petrovitch, who, although appearing only occasionally in the novel, is very important; he represents Raskolnikov trying to better himself.
Dostoevsky correctly named his protagonist, as Raskolnikov’s surname comes from the word for “split” (raskol means ‘split’ or ‘schism’ (Introduction X)), which represents his two main personalities. From the beginning of the novel, constant internal struggle causes the mental anguish that Raskolnikov experiences throughout the narrative. The starting point of Raskolnikov’s psychological torment occurs when Raskolnikov begins to transition between the two sides of his personality. Through his interactions with Svidrigailov, Raskolnikov displays his more narcissistic qualities. During the beginning of the novel, these characteristics are
Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment is a book with many twists that does what no other book had done during its time: puts the reader into the mind of a conflicted man who takes the life of another human being. The main character, Rodion Raskolnikov interacts with many characters throughout the course of the novel, or so it seems, as the people with whom Raskolnikov interacts are only extensions of himself. Throughout the novel, Dostoevsky consistently describes Raskolnikov as being “uneasy” and in an “almost morbid state of irritability and tension” (1). This state of mind is due to the extreme split of Raskolnikov’s personality, which is illustrated by two prominent characters: Sonya Marmeladova, Raskolnikov’s humane half who cares about others, and Svidrigailov, who embodies his evil and sadistic side and makes Raskolnikov want to alienate himself from society. The two alter egos are in a constant struggle for Raskolnikov’s awareness throughout the course of the novel. He is characterized as alternating from one to the other, and the struggle between his personas causes his feeling of guilt to emerge. It is guilt that leads Raskolnikov to create another persona: Porfiry Petrovitch, who, although appearing only occasionally in the novel, is very important; he represents Raskolnikov trying to better himself.
Dostoevsky correctly named his protagonist, as Raskolnikov’s surname comes from the word for “split” (raskol means ‘split’ or ‘schism’ (Introduction X)), which represents his two main personalities. From the beginning of the novel, constant internal struggle causes the mental anguish that Raskolnikov experiences throughout the narrative. The starting point of Raskolnikov’s psychological torment occurs when Raskolnikov begins to transition between the two sides of his personality. Through his interactions with Svidrigailov, Raskolnikov displays his more narcissistic qualities. During the beginning of the novel, these characteristics are