In both novels the main characters put themselves through a destructive cycle of elevation and alienation that ultimately is the cause of their demise. The cycle begins with the dreams and ambitions of the main characters. Rodya Raskolnikov and Emma Bovary both believe in the same fundamental truth; that some people are better then others. They both want to believe that they are unique and extraordinary. Emma's desire for an exciting and ex

o sooner had she left the room than the sick man flung off his bed clothes and leapt out of bed like a mad-man(CP, 105)." In his alienation Raskolnikov turns down a chance for relief. Over and over again, Raskolnikov pushes away the people who are trying to help him, including Sonya, Dunya, and Razumuhin and proceeds to suffer self inflicted consequences.

Emma, having already identified herself with the heroines of romantic fiction began a cycle of destruction as soon as she married Charles Bovary. She had romanticized, magnified and glorified her affection for him and viewed marriage as the next pastoral step in her life. But it was very soon after their nuptials that Emma began to become discontented. She began to believe she was of a better class then him, a totally different type of person. She wanted adventure and excitement that he could not provide. After they visited with the Marquis d'Andervilliers, she desired the life of the elite class, and once again renewed her amazement at the life of intrigue. She thought to a life of "noisy debauch, full of duels, bets, elopements" and squandered fortune with amazement (MB, 30). She was bound and determined to live that life also. Once returned home she changed her household to mirror that of the more prosperous counter parts she had met at that party. She searched for a way to feel the excitement and found it in the acquiring of lovers. The first, Rudolph filled all her fantasies, making her girl-hood dreams come true. Since her childhood Emma had wanted the intrigue and excitement of a life of secrecy and passion. In her mind Emma had finally achieved the likeness of the people she adored, and this elevated her above all others.

Raskolnikov, just like Emma comes too short of his dreams. But Raskolnikov, unlike Emma is able to escape his conception of himself as a superman and the subsequent isolation that the desire of that position brought upon him. Though it is too late for him to escape the demise and failure that the cycle brought upon him, he is able to escape the death and the destruction of spirit that Emma Bovary encounters.

In Crime and Punishment elevation and subsequent alienation are more quickly developed. Raskolnikov's over-estimation of himself is what compels him to separate himself from society. His murder o

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Approximate Word count = 1551
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)