Razumihin And Luzhin Character Analysis

Dostoevsky has placed both Razumihin and Luzhin in the novel to show a stark contrast between their characters that is exemplified through their conversation and later Razumihin’s personal opinions. I believe this is important because they are indeed very different characters in both motive and in beliefs. Luzhin is a man of self centered desires and wants, stating that it is okay for him to be “‘acquiring wealth solely and exclusively for [himself],’” because of the fact that it will help those around him (Dostoevsky 151). This ideology and thought by Luzhin lost me completely as I read it. Having had AP Euro crammed down my throat throughout this entire year, I have developed a thought process based upon the ideals of the humanists and philosophes, a respect for antiquity and communal aid. This is completely opposed by Luzhin who believes that people having cut themselves off from the past is for the best. I believe this to be the furthest thing from the truth, we learn so much as a culture and society from the past …show more content…
Razumihin believes that Luzhin simply speaks to amuse himself and that “‘unscrupulous people have got hold of the progressive cause of late and have so distorted in their own interests, everything they touched’” (Dostoevsky 151). I praise Razumihin highly for being able to stand up to Luzhin because I find Luzhin to be a highly distasteful character, not only for how he acts, but also for his ideas and thoughts. In my mind, through this simple encounter, Razumihin is meant to exemplify the good side of man and the good traditional partner for Dounia. Luzhin, on the other hand, is meant to exemplify selfishness and the new ideas arising in society that are disagreed with by Dostoevsky, in that he is attempting to make a social commentary through this scene on the present state of