In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov, the protagonist, is an outstanding example of a morally ambiguous character. In order for a character to be considered purely evil, the character must be acting out of complete aggression and anger; on the contrary, in order for a character to be considered purely moral, the character must constantly perform actions that not only aid him/her self, but also aid his/her external surroundings. Hence, it would be just to state that Raskolnikov has pervasive moral ambiguity because his actions depict him both as compassionate and misanthropic. Therefore, Raskolnikov’s moral dichotomy reflects his schism in his behavioral personality, and these two sides of the character are crucial to the
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It is evident via Dostoevsky’s assertion in the novel: “He drew the ax, raised it back with both hands. He brought the blunt side down on her head.” that Raskolnikov did not feel huge sympathy for human life, and was a very aggressive and violent individual. Furthermore, this statement also indicates that Raskolnikov was willing to go to great lengths, in this case murder his pawnbroker, to achieve something he excessively desired. Therefore, it is evident by the murders Raskolnikov committed that he had a very selfish, immoral, ruthless, and callous side to …show more content…
When Razumikhin states, “he’s not hypochondriac at all, but just inhumanely cold and callous, as if there really were two opposite characters in him” it is quite evident that even though Raskolnikov is incessantly undermined by his own self hate, he is attempting to attain some sense of morality. Hence, since Raskolnikov’s own kins were shocked when Razumikhin asserted this statement to them, it is evident that Raskolnikov’s seemingly split personality and indecision were the effects of him having committed the murder, and the decision of whether to confess or not came as a result. Thus, this is one of the many instances in the novel that corroborates the belief that Raskolnikov is a crucial morally ambiguous character in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and
It is evident via Dostoevsky’s assertion in the novel: “He drew the ax, raised it back with both hands. He brought the blunt side down on her head.” that Raskolnikov did not feel huge sympathy for human life, and was a very aggressive and violent individual. Furthermore, this statement also indicates that Raskolnikov was willing to go to great lengths, in this case murder his pawnbroker, to achieve something he excessively desired. Therefore, it is evident by the murders Raskolnikov committed that he had a very selfish, immoral, ruthless, and callous side to …show more content…
When Razumikhin states, “he’s not hypochondriac at all, but just inhumanely cold and callous, as if there really were two opposite characters in him” it is quite evident that even though Raskolnikov is incessantly undermined by his own self hate, he is attempting to attain some sense of morality. Hence, since Raskolnikov’s own kins were shocked when Razumikhin asserted this statement to them, it is evident that Raskolnikov’s seemingly split personality and indecision were the effects of him having committed the murder, and the decision of whether to confess or not came as a result. Thus, this is one of the many instances in the novel that corroborates the belief that Raskolnikov is a crucial morally ambiguous character in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and