Crime and Punishment, a novel depicting murder, love, social status, and capital judgement, is embodied by the location, and time period in which it was set. The mid 1860s were a time of heavy segregation based on money and occupation. The higher order of society is obtained less through strength of character, but the acquisition of considerable funds. As a learned and intelligent man, Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov is able to see through the social order and judge men by their sacrifices and their moral worth. This sets him apart, in his eyes, from the rest of society and effectively alienates him. The separation between Raskolnikov and the rest of the world is a major theme that translates into his actions throughout the novel. This dividation
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Petersburg also contributes to the tenebrous thoughts clouding Rodka’s judgement. With its dark, dank streets and a surplus of the drunk and homeless, a feeling of gloom is completely natural. The cramped and dirty room in which he resides, gleaning with poverty and clutter, continually influences his psyche. Rodion is also segmented out of ordinary social order due to his article’s daring in bringing forth a new way of thinking. This article, written by Raskolnikov a few months before the murders, is his only published work. Shown to him by detective Porfiry Petrovich, the article’s concept was generally misinterpreted, or taken as ramblings without base. This frustrates Raskolnikov, ignites his temper, and continues to fuel his dreary thoughts. In Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, Rodion Raskolnikov’s irritable and antisocial traits are a direct result of his intellect in a time of simplicity, the dankness of St. Petersburg, and an inability of the population to grasp the concepts of his published …show more content…
Its social world, although wrought with unspoken rules and regulations, has an air of simplicity to it. The wealthy and most powerful are able to paint portraits of themselves in whichever way they choose, with well-timed and impactful donations to the needy. As a result of this, a man without any sort of character can be adored due to his apparent generosity. As Raskolnikov is of above average intelligence, he sees through this, unlike most citizens in his social class. A perfect instance in which a man, coming from a place of wealth was exposed for lack of character--such is in the case of Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin. This business man of stature and fortune had even the dignified Pulcheria Alexandrovna fooled, evident from the description given in Pulcheria’s own words. “He said a good deal more, for he seems a little conceited and likes to be listened to, but this is scarcely a vice.” “He struck me, at first, as being rather abrupt, but that may well come from his being an outspoken man.” (Dostoevsky 29) Despite the evident flaws in his character, Pulcheria refuses to allow him to take responsibility for said flaws, conjuring up excuses for his questionable impressions. More surprisingly still, the very intelligent Avdotya Romanovna is also enamoured by his alleged charm, although more likely by his extravagant wealth. This is shown most prominently through
Petersburg also contributes to the tenebrous thoughts clouding Rodka’s judgement. With its dark, dank streets and a surplus of the drunk and homeless, a feeling of gloom is completely natural. The cramped and dirty room in which he resides, gleaning with poverty and clutter, continually influences his psyche. Rodion is also segmented out of ordinary social order due to his article’s daring in bringing forth a new way of thinking. This article, written by Raskolnikov a few months before the murders, is his only published work. Shown to him by detective Porfiry Petrovich, the article’s concept was generally misinterpreted, or taken as ramblings without base. This frustrates Raskolnikov, ignites his temper, and continues to fuel his dreary thoughts. In Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, Rodion Raskolnikov’s irritable and antisocial traits are a direct result of his intellect in a time of simplicity, the dankness of St. Petersburg, and an inability of the population to grasp the concepts of his published …show more content…
Its social world, although wrought with unspoken rules and regulations, has an air of simplicity to it. The wealthy and most powerful are able to paint portraits of themselves in whichever way they choose, with well-timed and impactful donations to the needy. As a result of this, a man without any sort of character can be adored due to his apparent generosity. As Raskolnikov is of above average intelligence, he sees through this, unlike most citizens in his social class. A perfect instance in which a man, coming from a place of wealth was exposed for lack of character--such is in the case of Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin. This business man of stature and fortune had even the dignified Pulcheria Alexandrovna fooled, evident from the description given in Pulcheria’s own words. “He said a good deal more, for he seems a little conceited and likes to be listened to, but this is scarcely a vice.” “He struck me, at first, as being rather abrupt, but that may well come from his being an outspoken man.” (Dostoevsky 29) Despite the evident flaws in his character, Pulcheria refuses to allow him to take responsibility for said flaws, conjuring up excuses for his questionable impressions. More surprisingly still, the very intelligent Avdotya Romanovna is also enamoured by his alleged charm, although more likely by his extravagant wealth. This is shown most prominently through