Superman Will Fly No More
Fyodor Dostoevski's Crime and Punishment follows the main character Raskolnikov as he attempts to prove his theories on the possibility of a "superman" having the power to transgress the law and morality because he is more "extraordinary" than the common man. Throughout his journey testing his theory, the author not only uses the main character as a representation of how such an egotistical theory isn't true, but also uses another character, Svidrigailov, as an example of the philosophy's fallibility. In Crime and Punishment, Dostoevski characterizes Svidrigailov as the embodiment of evil as he represents the Nietzsche "superman," and through Svidrigailov's death, proves his belief in the inability of anyone's will to exist above humanity in the world. Arkady Ivanovitch Svidrigailov is a character based on the philosophical ideas of Nietzsche, known for his beliefs that it is possible for a "superman" to be so great that laws, morals, and ethics can't touch him in the sense that he's not physically of emotionally punished. This extraordinary man does not exist for the benefit of society, but only for his own self-gratification. He also believes that his will is above that of any Supreme being, therefore God does not exist.
Svidrigailov failed at redeeming himself, so he dies. Raskolnikov, on the other hand, realizes the need for societal redemption and with Sonya's help, changes. He then is able to survive and looks forward to the life he has ahead of him. Svid has no moral limits and doesn't seek suffering for his sins until he has destroyed his existence to the point of no survival. He is a man without eternal beliefs, and therefore is subjected to eternal boredom. Sonya eventually led Raskolnikov through suffering and punishment, but Svidrigailov could get no such sentiment from Dunya, so he ended his life. Sviddy's life was like Raskolnikov's dream of the European plague; everyone living for himself, joining armies and fighting amongst themselves for their own pleasures and purposes. Living the life of sin made him pay in the end. In Crime and Punishment, Dostoevski created the character of Svidrigailov to relate his theme that no man can live the life of the Nietzsche superman, where scruples and humanity are replaced by the assertion of the will, the belief that one's will is above all, and the incessant gratification of sensual desires. So went the sacrifice of the man to who good and evil were equivalent and murder and generosity were morally neutral. In his attempt to place himself higher than God, Arkady Ivanovitch Svidrigailov found himself "completely and utterly alone." Svidrigailov committed evil in order to test if some higher power would punish him, and he was not punished. Therefore there was nothing more for his will to conquer less his own life. Svidrigailov's attempt at suffering at the hand of a higher power than his own was in letting Dunya shoot at him, but she cannot kill him. Svidrigailov took her refusal to end his miserable life as a sign that she may be able to love him. "Something seemed to lift in his heart, and it may not only have been the weight of h
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1276
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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