Dostoevsky's_Valued_Traits

Kenzie Wright-5 In Crime and Punishment, a novel in which Fyodor Dostoevsky studies criminal psychopathology, he also explores the human race by investigating their actions, motives, and thoughts through his characters. It is evident that Dostoevsky embraces some of this character's traits--such as selflessness and intellect--and reviles the characters whose motives are only to improve their own position in society. Throughout the novel, Dostoevsky displays his respect for those who are willing to make sacrifices to provide relief for others. The most prominent character who exhibits this selflessness is Sonya Semyonovich. Sonya is the daughter of Marmelodov, who, because of his excessive consumption of alcohol, is the cause of his families destitution. Because of the family’s poverty stricken state, Sonya is forced to sell herself into prostitution in order to provide for her family. This is a great sacrifice because not only has she given up herself to be taken advantage by the most vile men in the city, but, by submitting herself to prostitution, Sonya is also giving up her honor and respect throughout the society of St. Petersburg. Sonya’s selflessness continues to be seen for the remainder of novel until the very end when she follows Raskolinikov to Siberia where he is working in penal servitude. Sonya provides love and understanding for Raskolinikov in spite of the fact that “he had not only showed little interest in her visits, but had almost lost his temper with her, had refused to say very much and had even crudely insulted her...” (465). Dostoevsky shows his respect for Sonya’s selflessness because in the end of the novel her generous nature brought blessings to Sonya as well. Sonya’s loyal companionship and love produces mutual feelings in Raskolinikov as well as Dostoevsky writes, “What had revived them was love, the heart of the one containing an infinite source of life for the heart of the other” (471). Despite the fact that Sonya is portrayed as a frail creature with a timid disposition, Dostoevsky’s respect is evident for her throughout the text as he develops her character into one of faith, strength, and loyalty through her selflessness. Although Dostoevsky evidently admired selflessness and sacrifice as traits in a human being, he also revered the intellectual. Dostoevsky’s respect for a person with intellect is seen through Raskolinikov because he is strongest mentally and physically when he is engaged in a battle of wits. When Raskolinikov and Porfiry are discussing the validity of Raskolinikov’s arguments in his article, he is able to triumph over Porfiry for a good portion of that discussion because he is calm and collected. Raskolinikov is able to counter each of Porfiry’s attacks with a logical answer due to this clarity of mind. For example, when Raskolinikov first enters Porfiry’s lodgings, he is nervous and stammers over his words. However, the moment Porfiry mentions the article, Raskolinikov’s becomes interested in the conversation and is able to refute Porfiry’s summary of his article very clearly, saying, “‘No, that’s not quite what I wrote...Actually, I will admit that you’ve given an almost correct account of my idea, even a completely correct one, if you like...The only point of difference is that I don’t at all insist that extraordinary people are in all circumstances unfailingly bound and obliged to commit “all sorts of atrocities”, as you pit it’” (226). This passage is such a stark contrast to the anxious, tense Raskolinikov that is seen previously in the novel. It is obvious that Dostoevsky values intellect because he shows the transformation of an agitated, guilt ridden man to an upright, confident man once Raskolinikov is in the position to show his wit and intellect. Dostoevsky’s portrayal of women in this novel clearly shows what kind of woman he respects through evidence of what kinda of education she has and how she uses it. Dunya, Sonya, and Katerina Ivanovna all seem to be respected because they strive to use their intellect to govern their lives. Dunya and Katerina are formally educated and each use this education to their advantage. Dunya uses her cleverness and intelligence to get herself out of bad situations. For example, when Luzhin insisted on marrying Dunya, she was able to, using her insight, see through his charming appearance and realize that he was a corrupt man who would not strive for the happiness of her or her family. Katerina uses her education to keep herself from, until the end of her life, going insane. It is clear from her deranged state at the end of her life that Dostoevsky did not respect Katerina as much as Sonya and Dunya because she valued her educated and aristocratic past over human beings. Although Sonya does not have as much of a formal education as the other ladies, she uses her knowledge of the Bible to help her endure many of her trials. The Bible, it seems, is Sonya’s greatest treasure. “‘What would I be without God'’ she whispered quickly, with energy...” (281) proves that she relies on her knowledge of the Bible and of God to get her through her hardships. Dostoevsky not only displays those characteristics that he respected, but also character traits that he despised. The characters of this novel who work to better only their own lives meet an unfortunate ending that seems justified because of their actions. Throughout the novel, Luzhin is continually working in selfishness to improve his own life. In order to feel more powerful, Luzhin had “thought with rapture in deepest secret of a chaste and poor young girl (she must be poor), very young, very pretty, well-mannered and well brought up, very intimidated, who had experienced a great many misfortunes and would now be wholly at his bidding, the kind of girl who all her life would consider him her salvation, go in awe of him, subordinate herself to him, wonder at him, at him and him alone” (266). Luzhin only wants to marry Dunya because she meets his aforementioned standards. He does not have intentions of making her life or that of her family better. Luzhin also slanders Raskolinikov’s name to make himself look like a better man. He tells Dunya and her mother that he saw Raskolinikov giving money to “an unmarried woman of immoral conduct” (191) and later tries to frame this same woman, Sonya, as a thief to improve his own reputation. Dostoevsky shows is abhorrence for Luzhin’s character because Raskolinikov and Lebezyatnikov expose him to the public and his good name is ruined in society. Another character who shows this self-gratifying nature is Svidrigailov. Although, in the end of the novel his character is more pitied than reviled--as Luzhin’s character is--Svidrigailov commits awful offenses to improve his position. For example, Svidrigailov poison’s his wife, Marfa Petrovna, in order to be free of her even after she had relieved him of excessive debt (427). Svidrigailov also tries to convince Dunya to run away with him--which she refuses--by threatening to turn Raskolinikov in as a murderer. Svidrigailov meets a pitiful ending when he commits suicide. It is clear throughout his novel that Dostoevsky reviles those humans who will go to great lengths to satisfy their own needs and wishes. He shows this by giving these characters tragic and pitiful endings. However, Dostoevsky also exhibits his respect of those who make sacrifices to help others and who have intellect. Works Cited Dostoevsky, Fyodor; Garnett, Constance. Crime and Punishment. New York: Bantam Books, 1981.