Crime and Punishment Essay: Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov
In Crime and Punishment, Dostoyevsky displays the effect of different Russian philosophies through various characters and their reactions to the elements. Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov are two of the most prominent examples of this technique. Dostoevsky uses water as a vehicle to build this strategy and subtly define where each moral compass’ lies. When interacting with water, the true purpose of each character is explained. Early on, Raskolnikov will not drink the “weak and stale tea” that he is offered. He continues to exhibit this reluctance later on when Natasha sees that “the tea (that she got him) stood untouched.” This seemingly small detail is important. At this point in the book,
In Crime and Punishment, Dostoyevsky displays the effect of different Russian philosophies through various characters and their reactions to the elements. Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov are two of the most prominent examples of this technique. Dostoevsky uses water as a vehicle to build this strategy and subtly define where each moral compass’ lies. When interacting with water, the true purpose of each character is explained. Early on, Raskolnikov will not drink the “weak and stale tea” that he is offered. He continues to exhibit this reluctance later on when Natasha sees that “the tea (that she got him) stood untouched.” This seemingly small detail is important. At this point in the book,