Crime and Punishment: The Importance of the Epilogue The epilogue of the novel, Crime and Punishment, is a much-criticized and misunderstood aspect of Doestevsky’s novel. The truth is that it is vital to understanding of the story, and the central themes. Raskolnikov moves from a state of Russian nihilism and fully emboldened by his theory to one where he finally admits, to himself, that he has committed a crime and has erred not only just in the eyes of the law but also in his own eyes-according to his own moral code. This is seen by his dream. He realizes the full implications of his theory. His journey to redemption has now brought him to the point where he can begin to revive his spiritual well-being. Dostoevsky’s objective is now complete also. He has written a story to warn young individuals against the danger of Russian nihilism that he saw pervading his surroundings. The final installment in this work also serves to further exemplify how the love between Raskolnikov and Sonia, with their vastly differing perspectives on life, is the crux and core of the story. It is the focus point, and without this important aspect the story would not have been so successful. Dostoevsky embodies all that he considers good in the character and actions of Sonia. He obviously believes in religion deeply as an excellent and beneficial force for existence. He believes in charity and self-sacrifice, even altruism. Forgiveness and understanding are also prime virtues emblazoned on the character of Sonia. It is these characteristics that D. strives to show can bring redemption to R. Through his recollection of the dream, and the scene of him falling at the feet of Sonia and hugging her, at that point finally beginning to truly love her, we see a changed man. A man for whom their is hope.
Crime and Punishment: Crime without Compunction Crime Punishment Essays
Crime and Punishment: Crime without Compunction Raskolnikov has committed the crime of premeditated murder. Only one of his two murders was actually premeditated, the one committed against Alyona Ivanova. Lizaveta, her tortured sister is an inadvertent death–he is forced to kill her when he fails to shut the door and she is able to come in. The crime of the rapscallion Raskolnikov also reverberates on a much deeper, moral level inside his own head. He ignores the ultimate rule of good and evil, the principles of justice, and feels that if he wantonly kills this person no one will be injured because Alyona is a waist to society. Raskolnikov coolly and easily contemplates his future deeds, conducting “experiments”, and feeling that there is no way he’ll be able to make a mistake in carrying out the crime. He feels that because of the fact that what he is doing “really isn’t a crime”, then he won’t forget details and that he will be able to carry it out with making any errors that will allow him to be eventually caught. We eventually see that Raskolnikov grossly overestimates his abilities to maintain himself and all the details of the murder. We see that he leaves a preponderance of details up in the air, leaving way too much in his plan to chance–from the very first act of acquiring an ax. Raskolnikov is a smart man who overestimates his abilities in carrying out a murder; Dostoevsky is presenting to us a picture of a man who in now way can carry out his crime without compunction and error.
