Analyze the split personality of Raskolnikov in “Crime and Punishment”.

Answer

Analyze the split personality of Raskolnikov. [NU: 2021] ★★★

Or, describe Raskolnikov as a dual character. [NU: 2018]

Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) in “Crime and Punishment” (1866) shows Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov as a man of two sides. He is both proud and weak, cold and kind, criminal and repentant. His divided personality is the heart of the novel. In Petersburg streets, in his dark room, with Sonia, Dounia, Razumihin, Porfiry, and others, his divided soul fights until the end.

Proud Thinker vs. Helpless Student: Raskolnikov is an ex-law student. He has no job and no money. He lives in an attic room in Petersburg. His life is miserable. Yet he thinks he is above others. He says to himself, 

“I only wanted to have the daring… and I killed her.”

This shows his proud side. He wanted to prove his theory. But soon we see the helpless man. He has no food. He faints in the street. His friend Dmitri Prokofych Razumikhin sees him sick. His mother, Pulcheria Alexandrovna, and sister Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikova feel shocked by his pale face. Pride and weakness live together in him.

Killer vs. Protector: Raskolnikov plans the murder of Alyona Ivanovna, the pawnbroker. He says,

“I shall strike her on the head, split her skull open.” 

He kills her with an axe. He also kills her sister, Lizaveta Ivanovna.  This shows the cruel murderer. But soon, we see a very different side. Semyon Zakharovich Marmeladov dies under the wheels. Raskolnikov takes money from his poor pocket. He gives it to Katerina Ivanovna. The same man who kills also shows pity. He is both a killer and a helper.

Cold Intellect vs. Warm Heart: In talks with Porfiry Petrovich, Raskolnikov uses cold logic. Porfiry asks about his theory. Raskolnikov answers sharply: 

“Extraordinary men have a right to commit any crime.”

He speaks like a hard thinker. But when he meets Sofya Semyonovna Marmeladov, his heart changes. He weeps before her.