Back in the 19th century, Russia was, to put it quite lightly, a disaster. While Czar Alexander II did attempt to make progress, those who were not wealthy or of high prestige suffered greatly. This is partially due to the overpopulation in the cities. Upon the release of the serfs, many flooded into cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg for a new start. Due to the influx of unpredicted people, the cities were ill adjusted. It was a horrific environment that created many problems. Similarly, in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov wanders around the toxic St. Petersburg taking in all of the awful things the city has to offer him. He is isolated and upset with the lack of morals in the city. He decides to take justice into his
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To deal with his agony, Raskolnikov creates an idea that makes some men, such as Napoleon, simply superior to others. While explaining his notion to Porfiry, he explains he “only [believes in his] leading idea that men are in general divided by a law of nature into two categories, inferior , that is, so to say, material that serves only to reproduce its kind, and men who have the gift or the talent to utter a new word” (261). Raskolnikov is claiming that this is a law of nature. Nature something that is concrete and not to be messed with. He considers his idea and intellect to be so advanced that it applies to all of humanity. Also, he creates this superhero character whose sole purpose is to do great things and ease the suffering of others because they are not capable of doing it for themselves. Not only that, but Raskolnikov believes he is one of these superior men. When further discussing these superior beings, he states “dreamily” that “pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart” and “the really great men must… have great sadness on earth” (265). Raskolnikov is inserting himself in this role as a way to explain his deep seated agony. Since he has severed his relations to the world so completely, he is the sole savior of St. Petersburg. He says this “dreamily” to …show more content…
Petersburg is depicted as one that muddles Raskolnikov’s thoughts and leads him to partake in extreme actions in order to feel noticed among the plethora of other suffering people. The city is fairly unforgiving for the poor and suffering, which is the cause of great anguish in Raskolnikov. Even with temporary moments of clarity through Sonia, his mind is still fragmented and distorted. Since he is constantly exposed to the pain of others, he desires to help them so that he can be noticed as a hero instead of just another impoverished man. Only when he leaves the city can Raskolnikov leave behind the intellect and theory he relied on to get him through his time there. Raskolnikov no longer isolates himself and allows himself to become a new person. The city can bring out the worst in a person when the are constantly exposed to all the calamity. To think clearly, they must leave and go to a new place to regain perspective on
To deal with his agony, Raskolnikov creates an idea that makes some men, such as Napoleon, simply superior to others. While explaining his notion to Porfiry, he explains he “only [believes in his] leading idea that men are in general divided by a law of nature into two categories, inferior , that is, so to say, material that serves only to reproduce its kind, and men who have the gift or the talent to utter a new word” (261). Raskolnikov is claiming that this is a law of nature. Nature something that is concrete and not to be messed with. He considers his idea and intellect to be so advanced that it applies to all of humanity. Also, he creates this superhero character whose sole purpose is to do great things and ease the suffering of others because they are not capable of doing it for themselves. Not only that, but Raskolnikov believes he is one of these superior men. When further discussing these superior beings, he states “dreamily” that “pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart” and “the really great men must… have great sadness on earth” (265). Raskolnikov is inserting himself in this role as a way to explain his deep seated agony. Since he has severed his relations to the world so completely, he is the sole savior of St. Petersburg. He says this “dreamily” to …show more content…
Petersburg is depicted as one that muddles Raskolnikov’s thoughts and leads him to partake in extreme actions in order to feel noticed among the plethora of other suffering people. The city is fairly unforgiving for the poor and suffering, which is the cause of great anguish in Raskolnikov. Even with temporary moments of clarity through Sonia, his mind is still fragmented and distorted. Since he is constantly exposed to the pain of others, he desires to help them so that he can be noticed as a hero instead of just another impoverished man. Only when he leaves the city can Raskolnikov leave behind the intellect and theory he relied on to get him through his time there. Raskolnikov no longer isolates himself and allows himself to become a new person. The city can bring out the worst in a person when the are constantly exposed to all the calamity. To think clearly, they must leave and go to a new place to regain perspective on