Who Is Raskolnikov's Redemption

We can infer that in the epilogue Dostoevsky was particularly interested in Raskolnikov’s redemption and the removal of his guilt. After the crime, Raskolnikov suffers greatly from the shame of his crime, but contrary to popular prediction, the suffering is not removed immediately after he has confessed and been sent off to prison. Dostoevsky practically devotes a whole part of his novel to Raskolnikov’s suffering. In part two, Raskolnikov finally comes to the realization that he is the cause of his suffering, saying, “I’ve tormented and tortured myself, without knowing myself what I’m doing...and yesterday, and the day before yesterday, and all this time I’ve bene torturing myself...i’ll get well and...stop torturing myself” (110). While this self-realization is a big step for him, Raskolnikov is far too optimistic to believe all he must do
Sonya relayed to Dunya and Razumikhin that “he seemed so immersed in himself, as if he had closed himself off from everyone, his attitude towards his new life was very direct and simple...he went to work, neither volunteering nor trying to avoid it” (542). This apathy towards life does not show the weight that would’ve been expected to be lifted off Raskolnikov’s shoulders at his confession and fulfillment of his punishment. For all the buildup of suffering and expected relief for Raskolnikov, Dostoevsky accomplishes this in a very secretive manner. He writes that “how it happened [Raskolnikov] himself did not know, but suddenly it was as if something lifted him and flung him down at [Sonya’s] feet. He wept and embraced her knees” (549). This is the first sign of true repentance after Raskolnikov’s admission to the murder of Alyona and Lizaveta. At this moment, “infinite happiness lit up in [Sonya’s] eyes; she understood, and for her there was no longer any doubt that he loved her, loved her infinitely, and that at last the moment had come...”