After the first few chapters of book, I began to question the sanity of Raskolnikov. Is he a troubled genius, an unmonitored psycho, or a very emotionally troubled young man? I first thought he was a bit of each and after reading about his dream, or rather “nightmare”. To see a group of drunks abuse an old horse to the point where it’s bleeding is just disturbing. The emotional burden that event had on Rakolnikov sheds light on the problems he has now. Maybe the sight of the drunken men beating the horse instilled a thought of suffering and alcohol that changed his psychosis? But the dream showed a very humane side Raskolnikov has. As the horse began to bleed and moan, he rushed over and took its head in his arms, kissing it. This drew a connection (indirectly) to the parable of the Good Samaritan taught in the Bible. Even though both Raskolnikov had no business in defending the horse, he went to its aid like the stranger who helped the Levite.
After waking from the dream Raskolinikov calls out to God. Rather than cursing God for the mental and emotional suffering, he simply questions why the thoughts that came from his dream, thoughts of death, abuse and torment, have not destroyed him yet. It’s a much different reaction than those I’ve read in other books, where God, fate or a supernatural force is blamed for the character’s misfortune. Raskolnikov’s reaction also reflected a bit of hope. It seems as though this nightmarish experience changed his mind about his “future act”, acknowledging that these thoughts are etched in his mind.
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I really like Gabe's observation on how Raskolinikov doesnt blame God for his actions but simply questions why these things were happening instead. It is extremely easy as Gabe said to simply blame God for your misfortunes, but actually reflecting on his thoughts and trying to find some sort of solution is a very respectable and mature move. I have to give him that much credit.
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