Raskolnikov has always been a prideful man, prideful enough to reject God. After the murder Raskolnikov is overcome by his guilt, knowing that he has committed one of the greatest sins. He chooses to ignore God and live in sin until Sonya reassures his faith in God and helps Raskolnikov confess his faults.
I. Prior to the murder
a. Raskolnikov seems too prideful to believe in God.
b. Before the action is committed he does not mention anything regarding a religious standpoint.
c. He is angry at the old pawnbroker for being selfish and not helping society with all the money that she has.
d. Raskolnikov abandons religion completely and assumes the powers of God himself by deciding when one deserves to live and die.
II. After the murder
a. Raskolnikov is aware that he has committed a great sin.
b. He fully believes that he is a greater being that has the right to violate this natural law.
c. Convinces himself that he did this in order to help the rest of society, making the sin acceptable since so many people would benefit from its result.
d. Unfortunately this feeling that Raskolnikov has endured does not last for long, he eventually becomes conquered by his guilt and begins his own punishment.
III. Sonya vs. Svidrigailov: Raskolnikov's two alter-egos.
a. Sonya acts like the Christ figure. She helps him turn towards religion, and eventually succeeds.
b. Sonya is able to bring the humane and spiritual half of Raskolnikov.
c. Svidrigailov acts like a devil figure. He urges Raskolnikov to keep his pride and run away.
d. Svidrigailov influences Raskolnikov in all the wrong ways, he brings out the sinister and sadistic side of Raskolnikov.
IV. The Biblical passsage of Lazarus
a. While Raskolnikov is desperate to be relieved from his sinful conscious, he begs Sonya to read him the passage of Lazarus in the Bible.
b. Even though nothing is discussed, it is implied that Raskolnikov forms some kind of connection between himself and Lazarus.
c. In this Biblical passage, Lazarus was a dead man who is raised from the dead by Jesus.
d. Raskolnikov relates this story to himself along with Sonya.
e. Even though Raskolnikov has committed an awful sin, Sonya has prayed for him along with his resurrection, just like the Bible passage.
V. The Confession
a. Raskolnikov finally agrees with Sonya and realizes that the only way to reach salvation is to confess his sins.
b. Raskolnikov develops a deep hatred towards Svidrigailov because he does not was to be the same heartless man that Svidrigailov is known to be.
c. Svidrigailov creates his own demise and commits suicide due to the fact that he now knows that no one has ever or will ever love him, leaving Raskolnikov to find his own salvation with the help of Sonya.
d. Finally Raskolnikov goes down to the police station and confesses, taking Sonyas cross with him.
e. He kneels down and once he hits the ground he admits to being the murderer.
No comments:
Post a Comment