Svidrigailov's Psychological Perspective

1. Trace the psychological process of Raskolinkv's mind from the planning stages of the murder to the final realization of love.
Raskolikov's mind goes through a series of stages as he progresses from the time of the murder to his eventual realization of love. At first, he believes that he is separated from society entirely and isn't the same as most people. In essence, Raskolinov believes that he isn't the same as most people and even considers himself above them. However, it is this very belief that isolates him from the rest of the world. Raskolikov puts this lonely life upon himself by believing that he is a “superman” or Ubermench. He doesn't just think that he is above people's way of thinking either; he believes that he is above
all morals and ethics as well.

The reason why Raskolikov commits the crime is to affirm the truth in his head that he is above all, including life and death. Even after committing the murder, he pushes away the notion that he could be wrong because he needs to have the feeling of superiority. It is only In the end of the novel, when he confesses and goes to jail in Siberia that Raskolikov finds that surrendering to the beauty of emotion and love and equality (not superiority) that his mind is finally more sane then it was. In that realization of love, Raskolikov changes his thoughts on himself to that of an equal and in doing so, enters himself back into society.

2.Explain the “superior man” argument and evaluate Raskolinkov by the theory.

In Raskolikov's mind in the beginning of the novel, he is wrongly convinced that he is above all morals and above the human race as a whole, both in his way of thinking and otherwise. He describes himself as a “superman” and thinks that he is a superior being (Ubermench). The reason why Roskolikov is isolated from society in the beginning of the book is because he chooses to alianate himself since he finds himself better than everyone. Raskolikov is trapped in an alternate reality where he thinks that his opinion and self worth are above others to the point where he is under the illusion that he is greater than life and death himself.
The reasoning behind Raskolikov's murders is to prove to himself that he is a superior being. However, after the murder, when he finds himself ridden with guilt, it becomes apparent that the “superman” theory isn't accurate. Finally, at the end of the book, Raskolikov realizes he's just like everyone else when he falls in love.
3. Compare the characters of Roskolnikov, Luzhin, and Svidrigailov. How is each of these men a "villain," and to what extent are they guilty? How does each man face his guilt, and how does each suffer for it?
Raskolinkov and Svidrigailov, while very different charectars, find themselves in the same situations often times.
Svidrigailov is calm, cool, and well mannered while Raskolinkov has a moody and isolated personality, but both have dual personalities and a need for crime. For example, both have committed murders. However, Svidrigailov feels no remose. He kills and commits crime for selfish reasons and his own personal pleasure. Raskolinkov on the other hand, is a wreck after he commits his murders. He develops a fainting problem and is ridden by guilt and regret. Raskolinkov didn't anticipate these reactions and sees himself as a character much like Svidiailov with the exception that Raskolinkov convinces himself that he is doing things in the pursuit of justice. Svidrigailov is esentially the “superman” himself. He is everything Raskolinkov envisioned for himself and meeting Svidrigailov is one of the things that prompted Raskolinkov to realize that isn't what he
wants.
Raskolinkov and Svidrigailov are also similar in that they have a change of heart because of the people they love. Raskolinkov finds happiness in love and turns himself in for his murders because of it. Unfortunately, Svrigailov experiences the exact opposite. After discovering that the object of his love/obsession will truly never feel the same, Svrgailov kills himself.
While Svrigailov obviously did a lot of horrible deeds in his lifetime, I still feel enormous amounts of pity for him. It is clear to me that Svrigailov had a lot of mental problems and probably should've seen professional help about. I think that although Raskolinkov experiences a great deal of pain throughout the novel, Svidrigailov experiences even more because of the lack of support and love in his life; Raskolikov has all of this but chooses to push it away until the end of the book.
3.Compare the characters of Roskolnikov, Luzhin, and Svidrigailov. How is each of these men a "villain," and to what extent are they guilty? How does each man face his guilt, and how does each suffer for it?
The three main male characters of crime and punishment all are villians in differents ways and each suffers from intensive grief and guilt because of it. Raskolikov is a villian because he murders Alyona Ivanovna and his mother and takes a great deal of her money (but never uses it). Raskolikov immerses himself in a delusion that he committed these murders for the good of mankind throughout the majority of the book. He struggles with his guilt throughout the entire story, which makes up a great deal of his punishment. Raskolikov constantly bargains with himself that he is innocent even though he is truly a guilty man and a lot of his punishment is within his own mind as he battles guilt and isolates himself. After realizing that he is, in fact, wrong in his actions and guilty he turns himself in and is subject to an official punishment of 8 years in Siberia, apart from the love of his life, Sonya.
Svidrailgov, another main character is also a villain because of murder along with pedophilia. Svidrailgov has no apparent conscious and experiences no guilt within his head, but is punished internally by his incapability to show his true self and much like Raskolikov live a life of isolation. His true punishment, however, comes when the the woman he loves shows no feelings of return. He will do anything in life to get what he wants, especially in this situation, but Dunya (Raskolikov's sister and the object of his affections) will give in to him. After Svididailgov attempts to rape her and she still will not fall victim to him, Svididailgov experiences his true punishment when he realizes he has finally failed at something in life. He kills himself because of it.
The third main character, Luzhim, is the only villain who isn't a villain because of murder. However, his motives are perhaps the worst. He tries to make Dunya marry his because he just wants someone who will be forever indebted to him. Luzhim is dying for people to like him and suffers through his guilt by manipulating people and bribing them. He faces his guilt in this way and by trying to hide his true personality. He suffers through isolation just like the other three as well.

6. Does the fact that Raskolinikov never uses he money he stole from the pawnbroker make him less-or more- guilty? Why do you think he never recovers the stolen items or cash?

I think that the fact that Raskolikov never uses the money from the murder makes him more guilty; the whole reason why he committed the crime to begin with was supposed to be because he was going to share the money with less fortunate. In not doing any of this, any good intention Raskolikov had is a moot point. Any innocence or redeeming quality he may have had now does not even matter because he didn't follow through in his good deed.
I believe that Raskolikov didn't keep any of the money and buried it with a rock because he was afraid of having any association with the crime. After seeing how much guilt the crime caused him, Raskolikov didn't want to have anything that could possibly tie him to the crime. Moreover, I believe that Raskolikov regretted the murder and robbery so much that he wished it never happened and was intent on convincing himself and the outside world of that.
7.
Compare the characters of Roskolnikov, Luzhin, and Svidrigailov. How is each of these men a "villain," and to what extent are they guilty? How does each man face his guilt, and how does each suffer for it?

Raskolikov, even in his time of most need of loving support from his family and friends, denies all of their tries of love and help from them for multiple reasons. First of all, Raskolikov is buried in a deep pit of guilt and despair. He is isolating himself to try and hide from that guilt; although alienating himself from society only leaves him wrapped up in his own head, leaving his unable to escape his guilt.
The other reason Raskolikov doesn't take any support from his family is because as the “Ubermench” or extraordinary man, superior being, “superman”, or however you choose to put it is supposed to be entirely self sufficient. Raskolikov isolates himself not only because of his guilt, but so he can prove that he can handle life on his own. Much like the murder, Raskolikov's refusal to be comforted is more of a test to himself to prove that he is as superior as he believes he is more than anything
else.