The Choice of Evil
Authors often discuss the evil nature of society into their literature to make a strong social statement or to define human nature. Through the novels of Crime and Punishment, Frankenstein and Paradise Lost, the authors include characters whose actions and psychological aspects depict a truly evil nature. Throughout each novel, varying aspects of society and different desires produce the evil nature within characters. The authors, Dostoevsky, Shelley, and Milton, use the causes of evil to enhance the complexity of characters along with providing another layer to the crime or evil deed. The evil nature of man stems from the pressures of society, which then results in manipulation and corruption of the human mind. In Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov's poverty-stricken world, surrounds him with despair, thus creating an environment for his evil nature to flourish. Raskolnikov justifies the unimaginable murder of a wretched pawnbroker by stating that the community is better without her. For "killing her was atonement for forty sins. She was sucking the life out of poor people" (Dostoevsky 478). The poverty which he faces gives explanation to the theory that man is born inherently good and the evils of so
Throughout the literature and social commentary an everlasting theme arises. One in which it is said that no matter what the cause of the evil, nothing can justify the crime. Any influence within society and from others can be overcome by the human conscience and will. The evil that exists within society should be minimized through better morals and education, in order to prevent society's downfall. The authors of Crime and Punishment, Frankenstein, and Paradise Lost, were able to incorporate the concept of evil within the novels to truly explain the causes which lead to each characters downfall. Milton, John. Paradise Lost. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed. M. H. Abrams. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 1987. 678-823. ire. Tolson, in "Vocabulary of Evil," describes St. Augustine's theory which emphasizes will and choice (Tolson Par 4). Man's imperfection leads him to turn from good to evil for selfish reasons. This theory explains that the crime provides an avenue of escape from his poverty and a way to elevate his status. ror (Horowitz Par 14). The desensitization causes Raskolnikov to view crime as a way to benefit his own self. The poverty can be seen as the cause of his evil, yet it is questionable whether it is the ultimate cause. For in reality, this would imply that all who live in poverty are ultimately evil in nature, which would be stereotypical and judgmental. Raskolnikov's evil nature is thus caused by many factors, which lead him into a life of corruption. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ very existence shall be centered around an "everlasting war against the species" for they must experience his own deep and unimaginable misery (Shelley 83, 121). His evil nature encompasses his entire being and thus he causes harm to all who face him. Frankenstein was able to cause extreme harm to others which leads him to look at himself as superior to all. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Bantam Books, 1818. While the monster's nature develops from a need for friendship and normal relations, Frankenstein's need for knowledge and power causes him to transform into an evil monomaniac creator. He desires to truly comprehend every aspect con
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Approximate Word count = 1534
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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