Crime And Punishment Theme Essay

In Crime and Punishment written by Fyodor Dostoevsky, religion is strong with many characters but is seldom with others. The main protagonist, Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, breaks one of the Ten Commandments, “shall not murder,” within the first few chapters. Raskolnikov is troubled and angry with his pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanovna, as he believes that she has continually cheated him out of his money, and he was determined to get acquire revenge for himself and others she has done wrong. Following his hostile actions, biblical references reoccur, developing the plot as Raskolnikov becomes more and more guilt-ridden. This example, as well as others are signs of God and religion, which are prevalent and provide the plot and the theme of forgiveness significant support; Alyona’s cross, forgiveness of sin, and the story of Lazarus all add to the guilt Raskolnikov is facing. These examples all add to the difficult concealment of Raskolnikov’s murders, as each push him further to delivering his confession in the hope of forgiveness. …show more content…
The main protagonist, Raskolnikov, as well as other characters base or handle the consequences of their actions on the premises of religion and God. In the wake of their actions, they desire forgiveness, which they believe they acquire in this way. This is exemplified through the narrative of Alyona’s cross, forgiveness of sin for both Raskolnikov and Sonya, and finally, the story of Lazarus that Sonya reads to Raskolnikov. Each character feels that they are guilty for their actions, and desire forgiveness. The strong basis of religion throughout Crime and Punishment allow the characters to fall back to something that grants them the ability to be forgiven for the crime or sin that they have committed, whether or not they are entirely a good person in all