From reading the first two parts, Raskolnikov seems to me a very solitary and antisocial character. Dostoevsky’s descriptions of the way Raskolnikov thinks, has me questioning whether this man suffers from mental illness. For example, when he goes out, he usually tries to avoid people and stay inconspicuous as if he is experiencing paranoia. If it does turn out that he is mentally ill, I would find that ironic since he strives for reason when acting upon.
During my reading, I really could not find a clear motive for the murder. When Raskolnikov was reading his mother’s letter, it seemed like he wanted to kill Petrovich but he ended up killing Alyona Ivanovna. Perhaps he still bore resentment for being paid less than what he wanted when he pawned his silver watch. Also, it could be that he felt like he was doing justice by killing her, from the account of some strangers he overheard talking about how if Alyona Ivanovna dies then her money goes to a monastery which would help many people. Maybe it was both, but I feel that it was an impulsive decision possibly caused by delirium from his illness or strong feelings evoked from the letter.
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See I feel he does in fact suffer from mental illness from what I discovered about Dostoevsky, its either that or he is under enormous amount of pressure by being in debt and being the only person his sister and mother can rely on. I feel the murder was brought on by emotion, he had ideas of it from the beginning but the letter was really what pushed him to do it. He is an emotionally unstable person.
ReplyDeletei think the motive for the murder, was the discussion between two men in the bar, that made perfect sense to him. Really i think that Raskolnikov, has a hard time expressing his feelings and this may frustrate him, to the point where he would actually want to be alone.
ReplyDeleteThe character of Raskolnikov was a very confusing soul. His tormented life basically drove him to insanity. When a person is driven insane, there is no justifying their actions. There is no real motive for murder, however when someone is insane they use that as their reason for justifying taking a human life. No one on earth should have the power to end someone’s life without a justifiable cause. Whether he was in debt, unhappy with his family, etc. These are not genuine reasons for someone to cause such destruction.
ReplyDeletei completly agree with stacy's comment that even though Raskolnikov is suffereing from all types of internal and external problems, he had no right to kill someone. i feel bad for the character of Raskolnikov, and there obviously is something very wrong with him, but his mental state or his depression reguarding his debt are no legitimate reason for murduring Alyona.
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