Theme Of Raskolnikov Religion

Raskolnikov enters the pawnbrokers room, swiftly murdering her and her sister. As he leaves the shop, guilt overwhelms him, revealing to him that he isn’t the Napoleon he thought he was. With guilt consuming his thought and driving him to apparent madness, he seeks out someone to share his burden. That role was fulfilled by Sonia. A close friend and sympathetic listener, Sonia acts as a redemptive figure within Raskolnikov’s life, motivating and driving him to confess his crime to the police as well as pressuring him to accept religion. Not only does she comfort and provide Raskolnikov with a shoulder to cry on, Sonia also exemplifies within the work various central themes. Themes such as “free-will,” “poverty,” and “family” are all epitomized …show more content…
Throughout the novel, Raskolnikov has portrayed himself as a non-religious figure, even mocking it at times, such as when he said, “‘Maybe there’s no God at all’” (Dostoyevsky 307). This illustrates his views about religion, as he contains no sense of belief for it. However, his opinion about religion is changed due to the efforts of Sonia as she continually pressures him into accepting faith. The fruits of her labor are shown through Raskolnikov asking her for the New Testament, showing at least an acceptance and desire towards religion. In addition to that, Sonia also acts as a redemptive character for Raskolnikov. Upon hearing his confession, Sonia responded with a form of telling Raskolnikov penance in order to assist in the relinquishment of his guilt, saying, “‘Go now. Go this very moment, and stand at the crossroads; bow down, and first kiss the earth which you have defiled; then bow down to the whole world, to the four points of the compass, and say aloud, for all the men to hear; ‘I have killed’” (Dostoyevsky 400). Raskolnikov, being the stubborn and prideful man he is, refuses to accept this form of confession. However, Sonia isn’t ready to surrender to his will and continues to pressure him about it throughout the novel, until finally he cracks. Under Sonia’s unwinding commitment to end Raskolnikov’s suffering, she …show more content…
Introduced as a devout character, she carries this image throughout the work. This devoutness is illustrated when Sonia says, “‘What would I be without God’” (Dostoyevsky 309), as she is truly faithful. When asked by Raskolnikov about her religion, she responded excited and confidently which only reaffirms her faith as it illustrates her high level of belief. Furthermore, Sonia has also brought and maintained religion to various characters within the novel, such as Lizaveta and Raskolnikov. As Raskolnikov inquires about her affiliation with Lizaveta, Sonia unveils that she was close religiously with her, saying, “‘Yes… She has a sense of what was right… once in a while she used to come here… she wasn’t allowed… We used to read together, and… talk. She will see God’” (Dostoyevsky 310), as well as revealing it was Lizaveta who brought her the New Testament. Furthermore with Raskolnikov, Sonia continually affirms that the only way to salvation from his guilt is through God. After explaining the penance he should do to relieve his suffering, she declares to Raskolnikov, “‘Then God will send you life again’” (Dostoyevsky 400). By stating that the only way to truly achieve freedom from suffering, is through God, Sonia introduces to Raskolnikov the necessity and role of religion, as he had previously disbelieved in religion due to its uselessness in his life. Now