To say Raskolnikov from Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment values isolation would be a complete and utter understatement. Right from the start of the novel, the reader is introduced to isolation, a state where Raskolnikov feels truly at peace and at home in as he “fled all company, especially of late” (11). This is his bubble, his defense mechanism against the world. It lets him choose to disassociate from the rest of humanity and therefore feel no responsibility to it. However, interweaved with this pattern of isolation is, in contrast, this pattern of physical touch which constantly used to bring Raskolnikov out of this state of isolation. While most times, touch, both given and received, calms him from his consistently nervous state and strengthen
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After spending so much time dwelling on himself and aspects in his life such as his sister Donya’s engagement that are out of his control, this scene, as the whole chapter does, forces him into taking responsibility for the lives and people he encounters. Raskolnikov is no longer in his previous unsettled state, but has a strength and anger unseen before in the novel. He has passion and strength and is without fear as he “fell on [the man] with both fists , not stopping to think that the thickset gentleman could take on two men like men” (47). It is with even more passion and franticness in Raskolnikov’s touch that he grips the policeman to get his attention and help with the situation as he desperately and earnestly cries, “ How can we keep her from him? How can we get her home? Think, man!” (48). It underneath these physical interactions that the permeability Raskolnikov’s state of isolation is displayed. Despite his attempts to separate himself from others, when other fellow humans are in need, Raskolnikov is quick to act for others pushing him back into humanity. Likewise, just in a state of helplessness about his sister’s engagement, Raskolnikov sees a girl in a shared state, sparking in him such a strong and passionate physical reaction for her safety propelling him to leave his
After spending so much time dwelling on himself and aspects in his life such as his sister Donya’s engagement that are out of his control, this scene, as the whole chapter does, forces him into taking responsibility for the lives and people he encounters. Raskolnikov is no longer in his previous unsettled state, but has a strength and anger unseen before in the novel. He has passion and strength and is without fear as he “fell on [the man] with both fists , not stopping to think that the thickset gentleman could take on two men like men” (47). It is with even more passion and franticness in Raskolnikov’s touch that he grips the policeman to get his attention and help with the situation as he desperately and earnestly cries, “ How can we keep her from him? How can we get her home? Think, man!” (48). It underneath these physical interactions that the permeability Raskolnikov’s state of isolation is displayed. Despite his attempts to separate himself from others, when other fellow humans are in need, Raskolnikov is quick to act for others pushing him back into humanity. Likewise, just in a state of helplessness about his sister’s engagement, Raskolnikov sees a girl in a shared state, sparking in him such a strong and passionate physical reaction for her safety propelling him to leave his