Fyodor
The author by essence is the creator of his book akin to God creating in his own like image in man. With this in mind, Fyodor Dostoevsky through writing Crime and Punishment creates the essence of man that he believes to be a replica of himself. By creating specific characters in his novel, Dostoevsky demonstrates his likes and dislikes in humankind. Readers will find that the distinction between good and bad is not that simple to determine. Instead, there is a melange of the characters' personalities that determines what Dostoevsky admires or abhors in the characters personality traits. After reading the novel determining an understanding of Dostoevsky's personal value system is easy to decipher. A quick analysis of the main character, Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, leads to the parallel of Rodion and Fyodor. Fyodor's "life was as dark and dramatic as the great novels he wrote." Born in Moscow in 1821, he was the son of a former army surgeon who was killed by his own serfs because of his alcoholism and the brutality that followed his drinking fits. He was never close to his father possibly because of alcoholism, this is creates a hatred towards fatherly figures. The only father seen in the novel, Marmeladov, is a drunkard and
Fyodor Dostoevsky knows that life is not as simple as black and white, but instead is a "gray confusion," full of suffering, yet is blessed with the power of love. There is a duality in all man and those he comes across. This coexistence with others and their individual personalities forms the mold of man. Through Raskolnikov's own crime and punishment, it is easy to understand the mold that formed the basis of Dostoevsky's belief that suffering can bring about a great change if strong religious beliefs similar to the Catholic beliefs of forgiveness leading to salvation and resurrection are brought about through the reflection of one's self through the hardships of suffering. A lack of the power of God's love will lead to the final destination of the emptiness of death. Svidrigailov is also as malevolent as Rodya in his crimes, but there is a distinct line that defines what Fyodor abhors in Svidrigailov. Both men are haunted in their dreams by frightening images of death and both have a relationship with a female counterpart, Dounia for Svidrigailov and Sonia for Rodya. But the bottom line is that Sonia and Rodya had true love in their relationship, which leads to the salvation of Rodya; contrastingly, Dounia hated Svidrigailov because there was a fetish only for physical attraction and sexual pleasure and never an ounce of love expressed between the two. This defines life and death. Svidrigailov committed suicide because he realized no one loved him, but Raskolnikov was saved because he had been loved and was opened to the power it possessed. Finding this happiness comes from having strong religious beliefs. He finds this happiness by confessing to the holy prostitute, Sonia, a character with a blatant duality. She has strong beliefs in the power of God and eventually makes Raskolnikov see this through her love. She is seen with a positive outlook that even though she suffers now, God will provide for those who are weak. This does come true in the novel, when her siblings are placed in a good orphanage and she can set aside her sinful prostitution and also in the repenting of Raskolnikov at the crossroads.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1435
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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