In Fyodor Dostoyvesky’s book Crime and Punishment, protagonist Rodion Ramonovitch Raskolnikov commits the murder of pawnbroker Alyona Ivanovna. He manages to carry out the murder and escape the crime scene through mere luck and circumstance. Afterwards he is fraught by both ailment and undesired company. His behavior before and after the murder drips with recklessness, anxiety, and guilt. In an era before the development of acquiring and discerning physical evidence, circumstantial evidence synchs convictions. Through his actions, Raskolnikov leaves a great deal of circumstantial evidence behind. In particular, in chapters 4 and 5, Raskolnikov acts in a manner that hints at his guilt; meanwhile, his closest current acquaintances Razumihin
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Such actions also reveal insight into Raskolnikov and his troubled emotions. During Razumihin and Zossimov’s discussion of the murders, the two mention how the painter, Nikolay Dementyev found Alyona’s earrings, which were used as evidence of his guilt, behind the door of the room he had been painting in earlier. As soon as this information is uttered, Raskolnikov screams out. (107) To the reader, the reasoning for his outburst is simple; after the murder, Raskolnikov had hid in the room that was being painted as people stormed up the stairs to investigate the murder. However, this crucial information is unknown to anyone aside from Raskolnikov. Raskolnikov’s outburst at the mention of evidence suggests his guilt. Not only that, but it also reveals frustration. Although the piece of evidence Raskolnikov left behind in this instance was small and difficult to trace, it frightens him. Had he been confident in his crime and its coverup, such would not have bothered him as much; however, Raskolnikov evidently fails to trust himself. Raskolnikov also reveals such sentiments in chapter 3. After Razumahin mentions the visit of Zametov from the police station, Raskolnikov enters a panic, asking “did I says anything in delirum?” (101). Again Raskolnikov not only reveals guilt, but an inability to trust himself. He fears that he may have allowed potentially important information regarding the murder to slip. Not only does Raskolnikov distrust himself, but also everyone else. The damaging effects of isolation, one of the major themes of the book, ties back to this. After continual attempts to limit his contact with the outside world, Raskolnikov has left himself in a state of paranoia where no one is trustworthy. The majority of Raskolnikov’s reveleations of guilt tie back to these feelings, and
Such actions also reveal insight into Raskolnikov and his troubled emotions. During Razumihin and Zossimov’s discussion of the murders, the two mention how the painter, Nikolay Dementyev found Alyona’s earrings, which were used as evidence of his guilt, behind the door of the room he had been painting in earlier. As soon as this information is uttered, Raskolnikov screams out. (107) To the reader, the reasoning for his outburst is simple; after the murder, Raskolnikov had hid in the room that was being painted as people stormed up the stairs to investigate the murder. However, this crucial information is unknown to anyone aside from Raskolnikov. Raskolnikov’s outburst at the mention of evidence suggests his guilt. Not only that, but it also reveals frustration. Although the piece of evidence Raskolnikov left behind in this instance was small and difficult to trace, it frightens him. Had he been confident in his crime and its coverup, such would not have bothered him as much; however, Raskolnikov evidently fails to trust himself. Raskolnikov also reveals such sentiments in chapter 3. After Razumahin mentions the visit of Zametov from the police station, Raskolnikov enters a panic, asking “did I says anything in delirum?” (101). Again Raskolnikov not only reveals guilt, but an inability to trust himself. He fears that he may have allowed potentially important information regarding the murder to slip. Not only does Raskolnikov distrust himself, but also everyone else. The damaging effects of isolation, one of the major themes of the book, ties back to this. After continual attempts to limit his contact with the outside world, Raskolnikov has left himself in a state of paranoia where no one is trustworthy. The majority of Raskolnikov’s reveleations of guilt tie back to these feelings, and