“But hardly had he succeeded in regaining a straight face than he glanced again, as if involuntarily, at Razumikhin, and broke down once more: the smothered laughter burst out all the more uncontrollably for the powerful restraint he had put on it before” (Dostoevsky 210).
In an attempt to maintain his facade of an innocent man, Raskolnikov intentionally laughs at Razumikhin as they approach Porfiry’s door. Fearful that Porfiry will deceive him, Raskolnikov presents himself as a carefree man to dissolve any of Porfiry’s impressions. The calculated “involuntary” glances he shares with Razumikhin reveal the extent to which he can play the role of an innocent man (Dostoevsky 210). Evidently, Raskolnikov reserves methodology for trivial matters. …show more content…
Raskolnikov’s desperate efforts to end the pawnbroker’s brusque laughter represent his attempts to subdue his intrusive and conflicting thoughts. Dostoevsky mentions that the laughter magnifies “with every blow of the axe” to emphasize that Raskolnikov’s efforts to end his convoluted thoughts are futile (Dostoevsky 236). Any effort to take control of the situation is fruitless. The dream, a manifestation of the unconscious, reveals how Raskolnikov perceives the future. The crone’s taunts weighs heavy on Raskolnikov’s conscience since he acknowledges his execution of justice did not improve the community. Instead, predators, like Alena Ivanovna, continue to thrive and exploit the destitute. The woman’s convulsions of joy signify the reality that approaches: Raskolnikov’s defeat. Due to his inability to face reality, Raskolnikov’s dream self attempts to put an end to the woman’s mockery. The mass of people that gaze up Raskolnikov’s struggle in the dream represents those he considers to be near the truth such as Porfiry. Although he experiences severe alienation, Raskolnikov’s social interactions past the murder are asphyxiating. Similarly, in the dream, the mass of people trap him with an expectant gaze. Dostoevsky clarifies the extent of Raskolnikov’s paranoia; he believes a confession is inevitable. The dream reveals Raskolnikov cannot tolerate the pressure of those around him and, to some degree, he believes his murder of the pawnbroker is a
In an attempt to maintain his facade of an innocent man, Raskolnikov intentionally laughs at Razumikhin as they approach Porfiry’s door. Fearful that Porfiry will deceive him, Raskolnikov presents himself as a carefree man to dissolve any of Porfiry’s impressions. The calculated “involuntary” glances he shares with Razumikhin reveal the extent to which he can play the role of an innocent man (Dostoevsky 210). Evidently, Raskolnikov reserves methodology for trivial matters. …show more content…
Raskolnikov’s desperate efforts to end the pawnbroker’s brusque laughter represent his attempts to subdue his intrusive and conflicting thoughts. Dostoevsky mentions that the laughter magnifies “with every blow of the axe” to emphasize that Raskolnikov’s efforts to end his convoluted thoughts are futile (Dostoevsky 236). Any effort to take control of the situation is fruitless. The dream, a manifestation of the unconscious, reveals how Raskolnikov perceives the future. The crone’s taunts weighs heavy on Raskolnikov’s conscience since he acknowledges his execution of justice did not improve the community. Instead, predators, like Alena Ivanovna, continue to thrive and exploit the destitute. The woman’s convulsions of joy signify the reality that approaches: Raskolnikov’s defeat. Due to his inability to face reality, Raskolnikov’s dream self attempts to put an end to the woman’s mockery. The mass of people that gaze up Raskolnikov’s struggle in the dream represents those he considers to be near the truth such as Porfiry. Although he experiences severe alienation, Raskolnikov’s social interactions past the murder are asphyxiating. Similarly, in the dream, the mass of people trap him with an expectant gaze. Dostoevsky clarifies the extent of Raskolnikov’s paranoia; he believes a confession is inevitable. The dream reveals Raskolnikov cannot tolerate the pressure of those around him and, to some degree, he believes his murder of the pawnbroker is a