Crime and Punshment: Maggie

CONFLICTS


MAN VS SELF
· During the whole novel Raskolnikov’s main conflict is whether he should admit to the crime that he committed. Raskolnikov has two personalities, one of which is brought out by poverty and egoism (the murderer). The other side is inspired by the love of others and his inner goodness (his desire to help others).

Raskolnikov helps the drunk girl get home (p 48)
Raskolnikov leaves money for Marmeladov’s family (p 27)
Raskolnikov gave most of the money his mother sent to him, to Katerina, for Marmeladov’s funeral (p 185)

· In the opening section of the novel, Raskolnikov was in conflict with himself. He wondered if he should kill Alyona, but it was not until after he overhears the conversation the student and officer are having that he made the decision that if Alyona died, it would make the world a better place. (p.65-66)


MAN VS SOCIETY
· Razumikhin lives in poverty and tries to change his place in society. (p 51)


INTERNAL CONFLICT
· Raskolnikov has a strained relationship with his mother. The conversation on pages 222-240 is very superficial. The conversation was only about Raskolnikov and their past. Raskolnikov’s mother was also glad to leave after the conversation ended. (p 240)


MAN VS NATURE
· Social Darwinism is a theory that states that only the strongest and fittest can survive in the world. Alyona and Lizaveta Ivanovna both perish because they are not able to defend themselves from Raskolnikov.


MAN VS MAN
· Petrovich and Raskolnikov both have conflicts with one another. For example, in the scene where Petrovich accused Sonya of stealing the money, Raskolnikov was there to ruin his plans. Raskolnikov stepped in to be the “superman” that he thought himself to be (p 401). Another example would be Petrovich, who is bitter that Raskolnikov’s sister broke off her engagement with him.