Dostoyevsky

ostoyevsky’s style gives the reader a full psycho analysis of Raskolnikov, as the reader sees what no one else around him in his world can. From their perspective all they see are his actions, as he is a man of few words, and can’t see the growth from one thought process to another. Raskolnikov is too complex to just be seen as an egotistical sociopath who commits murder. Dostoyevsky begins the novel with most of the first chapter revolving just around an unknown man and him struggling mightily with an internal dilemma. Once the story picks up, and we are introduced to Raskolnikov and his plan of premeditated murder, his sinister qualities become more evident. However, the reader sees him flip flop between sociopath qualities, and his redeeming …show more content…
He shows the reader this self destructive trait, that even when he has no money and is in severe debt, he will blow his money on drinking. He shows the reader that he is not capable of thinking out long term consequences and can see only the instant gratification that he will get from being at the bar. Although Dostoyevsky shows his inability to do long term thinking, he also displays later on in the scene that, at his core, he is inherently generous and kindhearted. At the watering hole he strikes up a conversation with a drunk named Marmeladov and he learns his story; mainly how because of his alcoholism his daughter is forced to be a prostitute. Even though, in reality, she has a steady stream of income, and therefore is in significantly better economic standing, he still leaves the little change he has when he walks a drunk Marmeladov home. It is the dichotomy that Raskolnikov is willing to commit murder, yet is also willing to do whatever it takes to help someone who needs it that makes him such an interesting tragic hero. Ultimately, what becomes his downfall that leads him to prison is his conscience and the extreme guilt he feels after following through with his