“Crime and Punishment” is one of the greatest works of F.M. Dostoevsky, who had a tremendous influence on subsequent world literature. This is a social, psychological, philosophical, ideological novel. The work was written by Dostoevsky during a difficult period for Russia, when there was a clash of political views, when “old ideas fell from their pedestals, and new ones were not born.” That is why, immediately after its publication, the novel captivated the Russian public, and endless debates and discussions unfolded around it. It was a fundamentally new novel in world literature, as it covered many different issues: the question of the conditions of existence of society and the lower strata of the population, alcoholism and prostitution. The novel was conceived by Dostoevsky as a depiction of the ideological murder committed by the poor student Raskolnikov, in which the writer depicted a conflict based on the struggle of ideas. Dostoevsky conducts the deepest psychological analysis of the hero’s state at the highest, most intense moment of his life, at the moment of murder, he reveals his inner world in the period of time before and after the crime.

The central image of the novel is Rodion Raskolnikov- a young man with an attractive appearance, a commoner student, expelled from the university due to poverty. His only source of existence was the money his poor mother sent him. Raskolnikov lives under the very roof of a large house, in a cramped and low closet, similar to a coffin, in complete solitude, avoiding people and avoiding all communication. He has neither a job nor friends ready to help. This condition is very burdensome for the hero and negatively affects his shaken psyche. He is suffocating in a stone sack of a hot, stuffy and dusty city; he was crushed by St. Petersburg, a city of “half-crazy”, in which there was terrible heat and a stench. He is surrounded only by beggars, drunkards, who take their evil out on children. Observing this city and society, the hero sees how the rich oppress the poor, that the life of the latter is full of need and despair.

A kind, humane person, painfully experiencing all injustices, who is tormented by the sight of human suffering, Raskolnikov sees the injustice of the world around him, the hardships of other people’s lives. He wants to change the world for the better, wants to do thousands of good deeds, strives to bring benefit to people in need of help. And he is ready to take their suffering upon himself, to help them at the cost of his own misfortune.

Driven to extreme despair, Raskolnikov puts forward a terrible idea, according to which any strong-willed person, having achieved a noble goal, has the right to remove all obstacles in his path by any means, including robbery and murder. He writes an article in which he sets out his theory, according to which all people can be divided into two groups: “ordinary” people and “... people who have the gift or talent to say their new word among others.” And these “special” people may not live according to general laws; they have the right to commit crimes in order to fulfill their good goal, for the sake of “destructing the present in the name of the better.” He believes that a great personality is beyond judgment.

Raskolnikov is concerned with the question: “...am I a louse, like everyone else, or a man?.. Am I a trembling creature or do I have the right?..” Finding himself in the power of his idea, he ranked himself among the “extraordinary” people and, following his , planned to kill the greedy old woman-pawnbroker, and with her money to do good deeds, in particular, to save his relatives from poverty and miserable existence. But, despite the fact that Raskolnikov justified this plan with his theory, he does not immediately decide to kill. A fierce internal struggle takes place in the hero’s soul. On the one hand, he is confident in the truth of his theory, on the other hand, he cannot step over his own conscience. However, he considers the latter a weakness that must be overcome.

Raskolnikov’s dream turns out to be stronger, and he decides to commit a crime, but he decides not for the sake of money, but in order to “test himself,” his ability to step over his life, as Napoleon and Mohammed did. He kills, not wanting to come to terms with the moral principles of that world, where the rich and powerful humiliate the weak and oppressed with impunity, where thousands of healthy young lives perish, crushed by poverty. It seems to Raskolnikov that with this murder he is throwing a symbolic challenge to all that slave morality to which people have been subject since time immemorial - a morality that claims that man is just a powerless louse. But the murder of the old pawnbroker reveals that in Raskolnikov himself there was hidden a proud, proud dream of domination over the “trembling creature” and over the “entire human anthill.” The dreamer, who proudly decided to help other people with his example, turns out to be a potential Napoleon, burned by secret ambition that poses a threat to humanity. Thus, the circle of Raskolnikov’s thoughts and actions tragically closed.

Having fulfilled his plan, Raskolnikov realizes that he also killed himself. He stepped over moral and religious laws. With impossible torment, he feels that the violence he committed against his moral nature constitutes a greater sin than the act of murder itself. This is the real crime. From the moment Raskolnikov lowered the ax on the heads of the old woman and Lizaveta, moral suffering began for him. But this was not repentance, but a consciousness of one’s own despair, powerlessness, a painful feeling of “disconnection and disconnection from humanity.” Raskolnikov “suddenly became completely clear and understandable that... now he can’t talk about anything else, never with anyone.”

The hero did not foresee the mental suffering that murder would bring him. He did not understand that one person is not able to change the life of all humanity, that one should fight the whole system, society, and not one greedy old woman. By committing a crime, he crossed the line separating honest people from villains. Having killed a man, Raskolnikov merged with that immoral society that was so hateful to him.

The author forces Raskolnikov to painfully endure the collapse of his Napoleonic dreams and abandon his individualistic rebellion. Having abandoned Napoleonic dreams, the hero approached the threshold of a new life, which united him with other suffering and oppressed people. The seed of finding a new existence for Raskolnikov is his love for another person - the same “pariah of society” as he is - Sonya Marmeladova. The fates of the heroes intersected at the most tragic moments of their lives. They both find this condition difficult, cannot get used to it, and are still able to perceive both their own and others’ pain. Sonya, who found herself in an extremely difficult situation, forced to earn a living with a “yellow ticket,” no matter what, did not become bitter, did not harden her soul, and did not lose her human face. She respects people and feels boundless pity and compassion for them. Sonya is a deeply religious person and has always lived according to religious laws, and she loves people with Christian love. And therefore Raskolnikov instilled in Sonya not a feeling of disgust, but a feeling of deep compassion. And Sonechka, with her Christian humility and all-forgiving love, convinced Raskolnikov to admit what he had done and repent before people and before God. It was thanks to Sonya Marmeladova that the hero comprehended the truths of the Gospel, came to repentance and was able to return to normal life.

The author's attitude towards his hero is ambiguous. He condemned and justified him in equal measure. Dostoevsky loved his hero, and this love gave him the opportunity to reincarnate in him and go with him all the way. He was attracted by such character traits of Raskolnikov as responsiveness, openness, and hatred of any evil. The author considered the best feature of the hero to be his universal sadness and sorrow. This, as Dostoevsky makes clear, is what prompted Raskolnikov to commit a crime. The author himself, trying to trace the “psychological course of the crime,” comes to the conclusion that it is not a matter of the environment, but of the internal state of a person. Only he himself is responsible for what happens to him.

“The law, truth and human nature have taken their toll,” wrote Dostoevsky. By this, the writer emphasized the popular basis of Sonya’s truth, which refuted Raskolnikov’s “sick theory” and is trying to offer its way out of the social capitalist impasse through humility and love for people. But for all his genius, Dostoevsky was never able to find a solution to the question that constantly arose before him both during the creation of this novel and later: how to preserve the benefits that a liberated person brings to society, and at the same time save him itself and humanity from antisocial, negative principles and inclinations generated by bourgeois civilization.

But having settled on the position of meekness and humility, Dostoevsky could not remain indifferent to the formidable and rebellious impulses of the human spirit. Without Raskolnikov's sharp thoughts, without his dialectic, “sharpened like a razor,” his figure would have lost its charm for the reader. The unusual, “ideological” crime committed by Raskolnikov also gives his image a special tragic interest. Dostoevsky does not poeticize evil in his novels; he values ​​in his heroes intransigence to historical stagnation, spiritual rebellion, the ability to live not by personal, selfish interests, but by the troubling questions of the lives of all people. The writer makes readers think about the meaning of life, about the eternal struggle between good and evil.

Materials about the novel by F.M. Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment".

The novel Crime and Punishment was written by Dostoevsky 150 years ago. The main character of the novel, Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, goes from a student who considers himself a “superman” to a criminal who realizes the pettiness of his act. So what is the main reason for Raskolnikov’s crime?

The main reason for the crime

Rodion Raskolnikov is the main character of the novel. Being in a difficult financial situation, a scheme to kill the old pawnbroker matures in the hero’s head. Armed with an ax, he goes to her home, but all his plans are ruined by his sister Lizaveta, who returns at the wrong time. Discouraged and not knowing how to behave, Rodion kills her too, since she was an unwanted witness.

What is the main reason that prompted the hero to commit such a cruel act? Was money really the main factor? In fact, the author portrays Raskolnikov as a complex and multifaceted figure. The main reason for committing the crime was Raskolnikov’s own philosophy. In the article “On Crime,” which he wrote for a local newspaper, he puts forward the theory that all people can be divided into two categories. The first are ordinary people who cannot influence history; they are the so-called “consumables” that can be sacrificed for a great goal. The second category of people are extraordinary people, the so-called “Napoleons”.

These people, following Rodion's theory, are allowed much more than everyone else. They may commit crimes and cause suffering to others.

Raskolnikov clearly considered himself to be of the second type of people, believing that he committed the murder for good purposes. The old woman, Alena Ivanovna, for him is a “louse” and a “subhuman”. She profits from the misfortune of others by giving out money on unfavorable terms. However, her sister Lizaveta does not fit into this category and Raskolnikov feels guilty.

As a result, it becomes clear that the hero overestimated his strength, his theory is completely unsuitable for him, and he is not a “superman”.

Secondary causes of crime

Raskolnikov is a character in which two personalities coexist. On the one hand, he is a kind and generous person, capable of standing up for the weak, on the other hand, he is arrogant and proud, considering some people superior to others. He definitely considers the murdered old woman a “louse” who is unworthy to live in this world. That is why he calmly thought through the murder and did not consider it a crime.

Shortly before the terrible event, Raskolnikov overheard a conversation between two men in a tavern about how the moneylender was treating her sister badly, and had made a will not for her, but for the church parish. This seems terrible to the hero, and he becomes even more confident in his decision to deal with the mercantile moneylender.

The difficult financial situation was also the reason for the murder. Not only he himself was left without money, but also the Marmeladov family, whom he had met the day before, as well as his mother and sister. Sister Dunya is forced to agree to a marriage proposal from an unloved man, who, apparently, will treat her badly after marriage.

The surrounding environment also has a depressing effect on Raskolnikov’s psyche. His small, cramped and dark closet, in which he spends too much time in thought, gives him dark thoughts.

Consequences of the crime

Having committed an ugly crime, the main character realizes that his theory turned out to be wrong, and he himself is by no means “Napoleon”. Raskolnikov is tormented by feelings of guilt, becomes gloomy and moves away from the people who love him. Unable to tolerate moral contradictions, he confesses that he committed a crime. Sonya Marmeladova supports him in this decision and becomes the person who resurrects him and returns faith in life.

Raskolnikov's punishment lies not in hard labor in Siberia, where he is sent after confessing to the murder, but in the torment and torment that his soul endures.

This article will help schoolchildren write an essay on the topic “The reasons for Raskolnikov’s crime.” It examines the motives for the murder of the old pawnbroker, the attitude of the hero himself to the crime before and after the murder.

Work test

Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky went down in the history of Russian and world literature as a brilliant artist, humanist, researcher of the human soul. With his characteristic truthfulness and tragedy, the writer showed how social injustice cripples the souls of people, what unbearable oppression and despair a person experiences when fighting for humane relations between people, suffering for the “humiliated and insulted.”

F. M. Dostoevsky’s novel “Crime and Punishment” is a story about “how long and difficultly the human soul doubted, hesitated, struggled, and tossed between conscience and reason, good and evil. It was a persistent, exhausting struggle, and at the end of it comes recognition of conscience, truth, purification and renewal of man.”

On the pages of the novel, the author examines in detail the theory of Rodion Raskolnikov, which led him to a dead end in life. This theory is as old as the world. The relationship between a goal and the means that can be used to achieve this goal has been studied for a long time. The Jesuits came up with a slogan for themselves: “The end justifies the means.” This statement is the essence of Raskolnikov's theory.

According to Raskolnikov's theory, all people are divided into two categories. Some, “ordinary” people, are obliged to live in humility, obedience and obedience; they do not have the right to transgress legal laws, because they are ordinary. These are “trembling creatures,” “material,” “not people,” as Raskolnikov calls them.

Others - “extraordinary” - have the right to transgress the law, to commit all sorts of atrocities, outrages, crimes precisely because they are extraordinary. Raskolnikov speaks of them as “the people themselves,” “Napoleons,” “the engines of human history.” Raskolnikov believes that the lower rank exists in order to produce “people like themselves.” And “supermans” are people who have a “gift or talent” who can say a new word in their midst. “The first category is the master of the present, and the second is the master of the future,” says Raskolnikov.

Raskolnikov proves that “extraordinary people” can and should “transgress the laws,” but only for the sake of an idea “saving for humanity.”

Of course, when creating his theory, Raskolnikov considered himself in absentia to be “people.” But he needs to test this in practice. This is where the old woman-pawnbroker turns up. On it he wants to test his calculation, his theory: “One death and a hundred lives in return - but this is arithmetic! And what does the life of this consumptive, stupid and evil old woman mean on the general scale? Nothing more than the life of a louse or a cockroach, and it’s not worth it, because the old woman is harmful.”

So, without having the necessary material condition. Raskolnikov decides to kill the moneylender and thus obtain the means to achieve his goal. But according to the theory of the hero of the novel, he has the right to “cross over” if the fulfillment of his ideas (saving, perhaps for humanity) requires this.

Raskolnikov at the beginning (before the crime) sincerely believes that his crime will be committed “in the name of saving humanity.” Then he admits: “Freedom and power, and most importantly power! Over all the trembling creatures, over the entire anthill! That’s the goal!..” Subsequently, he explains to Sonya: “I wanted to become Napoleon, that’s why I killed him.” He longed to be among those to whom “everything is permitted”: “who dares much.” Here is the last confession that defines his goal: “I didn’t kill to help my mother. Nonsense! I did not kill so that, having received funds and power, I could become a benefactor of humanity. Nonsense! I just killed, I killed for myself, for myself alone... I needed to find out then and quickly find out whether I was a louse, like everyone else, or a man? Will I be able to step over or not!.. Am I a trembling creature or do I have the right?”

The result and means of the crime did not coincide with the lofty goals that he proclaimed. “The end justifies the means,” - this is Raskolnikov’s casuistry. But the hero did not have such a right goal. Here the end does not justify the means, but points to the incorrectness and worthlessness of such means and results as murder. Rodion Raskolnikov's theory broke down and collapsed.

Dostoevsky does not agree with Raskolnikov's philosophy. According to the author, permissiveness is terrible, inhumane and therefore unacceptable.

The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche created the theory of “blond beasts”, “purebred Aryans”. “People are divided into “masters” and “slaves,” he said, “and masters - “strong personalities”, “supermans” - everything is permitted.” Following this theory, these “supermans” have the right to disregard the law and morality, destroy and suppress everyone who gets in their way. Later, Nietzsche's theory served as the basis for the creation of fascist ideology, which brought many misfortunes and disasters to all of humanity.

The anti-humanity of Raskolnikov's theory is beyond doubt. It is clear and obvious that no goal can justify the means, and even more so, “a goal that requires wrong means is not a right goal.”

For Dostoevsky, a deeply religious man, the meaning of human life lay in comprehending the Christian ideals of love for one's neighbor. Considering Raskolnikov’s crime from this point of view, he highlights in it, first of all, the fact of a crime of moral laws, and not legal ones. Rodion Raskolnikov is a man who, according to Christian concepts, is deeply sinful. This does not mean the sin of murder, but pride, dislike for people, the idea that everyone is “trembling creatures,” and he, perhaps, “has the right,” the chosen one. The sin of murder, according to Dostoevsky, is secondary. Raskolnikov's crime is ignoring Christian commandments, and a person who, in his pride, was able to transgress them, according to religious concepts, is capable of anything.

Dostoevsky does not agree with Raskolnikov’s philosophy; the author forces his hero to disabuse himself of it. How was Raskolnikov able to comprehend the fallacy of his own theory and be reborn to a new life? Just as Dostoevsky himself found his truth: through suffering. The necessity, the inevitability of suffering on the path to comprehending the meaning of life and finding happiness is the cornerstone of Dostoevsky’s philosophy. The writer, believing in the redemptive, cleansing power of suffering, experiences it over and over again in each work, together with his heroes, thereby achieving amazing authenticity in revealing the nature of the human soul.

The conductor of Dostoevsky's philosophy in the novel “Crime and Punishment” is Sonya Marmeladova, whose whole life is self-sacrifice. With the power of her love, the ability to endure any torment, she elevates Raskolnikov to herself, helps him overcome himself and resurrect.

In his novel “Crime and Punishment,” F. M. Dostoevsky sought to solve an important psychological and moral problem - to show people the inconsistency of empty, fictitious theories, to reveal their danger and destructive power. This is precisely the theory behind the idea of ​​the main character of the work, Rodion Raskolnikov, who decided that a strong personality has the right to neglect the laws of conscience and morality in order to achieve his goal. Raskolnikov's goal was noble - to save his relatives, his own mother and sister, from humiliation and death. But here we are faced with one of the eternal questions: does the end justify the means? Dostoevsky, step by step revealing the falsity of his hero's theories, describing their disastrous consequences for Raskolnikov's soul, leads us to the firm conviction that there are no goals in the world that can justify a crime. And there are no crimes that go unpunished. Because, in addition to the law of the state, there are laws of conscience, which no one has the power to deceive.

In order to most vividly and convincingly expose the “Napoleonic” ideas of Rodion Raskolnikov, the author surrounds him with characters who are his “doubles”: in them, like in a distorting mirror, all the thoughts of the hero are reflected, this or that side of him is parodied, intensified or shaded personality. Thanks to this, Dostoevsky’s novel turns out to be not so much a trial of a crime, but a trial of a person’s personality, character, and psychology. Raskolnikov has an extraordinary mind, a kind, sympathetic heart, the ability to empathize, feel, love, and suffer. Nurturing his anti-human, anti-humane idea in his head, he is constantly in doubt, hesitating, he tries to justify his criminal plans with great ideas of goodness and justice. But this does not make the ideas themselves any less criminal or less destructive for him. In order to prove this, the writer introduces the figures of such heroes as Luzhin, Lebezyatnikov and Svidrigailov. In these images “in their pure form,” not hidden under the mask of virtue, the same thoughts and theories appear that torment the protagonist. Moreover, each of these characters in the novel has its own special role.

Luzhin, with his “economic theories” that justify the exploitation of man, built on profit and calculation, highlights the unselfishness of Raskolnikov’s aspirations. At the same time, his main role is the intellectual decline of Rodion's idea, which turns out to be morally unbearable for Dostoevsky's hero. The theories of Luzhin and Raskolnikov ultimately lead to one thing - to the fact that one can “shed blood according to conscience.” But Rodion’s motives are noble, hard-earned from the heart. He is driven not by simple calculation, but by delusion, “cloudiness of mind.” Luzhin, on the other hand, is an average entrepreneur, a “little man” who has become rich, who really wants to become “big”, to turn from a slave into the master of life. With all his actions, he vulgarizes and thereby discredits the theory of “reasonable egoism.” According to his firm conviction, everyone should strive to achieve their own good by any means - and then people will form a happy society. At the same time, the selfish and vulgar bourgeois businessman rejects any sacrifice for the sake of the common good, asserts the uselessness of “individual generosity” and believes that concern for one’s own well-being is at the same time a concern for “general prosperity.” Having borrowed the rationalistic foundations of the theory of Rodion Raskolnikov and cleared them of unnecessary, in his opinion, altruistic aspirations and active compassion, Luzhin turns the hero’s views into an ideological justification for his predatory aspirations.

Thus, Luzhin seems to us more like an antipode than a double of Raskolnikov. But how similar are the foundations of their theory! Rodion believes that he has the right to kill the old money-lender, and Luzhin - to destroy Sonya (although he himself is sure that he is acting with the best intentions, “helping” the poor girl and her family). Both heroes proceed from the false idea that they are better than other people and therefore have the right to commit inhumane acts, to commit crimes against morality and conscience. The worthless old woman, according to Raskolnikov, will die anyway, and the fallen Sonya, according to Luzhin, will still steal someday.

Another character who embodies the traits and ideas of the main character is the “progressive” Lebezyatnikov. The cult of protest, which in the character of this hero takes the form of militant stupidity, compromises the rebellious path chosen by Raskolnikov for reorganizing the world, in which he sees the possibility of self-affirmation. Lebezyatnikov, without thinking about anything, immediately sticks “to the most fashionable current idea, in order to immediately vulgarize it, in order to instantly caricature everything.”

Another “double” of Rodion Raskolnikov is Svidrigailov, a man completely devoid of concepts of conscience and honor. His image is a kind of warning to the hero, a vivid example of what he will turn into if he does not listen to the voice of his own conscience and wants to live with a crime in his soul that has not been redeemed by suffering. In this character, Dostoevsky reveals the depths of the moral decline of a person who, due to mental emptiness, embarked on the path of criminal activity. The most terrible thing for Raskolnikov is Svidrigailov, as he constantly convinces the hero that they are “birds of a feather.” Rodion strives, but to his horror he cannot break the internal thread that connects him with this terrible man. The attitude towards other people and towards oneself is the main thing with which F. M. Dostoevsky tests his heroes. And here the similarity of the main character with his “double” becomes obvious.

Raskolnikov is capable of not seeing a person in his neighbor. Svidrigailov is not able to see a person in anyone. Thus, the idea of ​​Rodion Raskolnikov is taken to the point of absurdity, to the limit. After all, if you can “crack old ladies over the head with anything,” then why can’t you eavesdrop? - Svidrigailov asks a reasonable question. He could have asked, “Why can’t you commit adultery?” or “Why can’t you blackmail people?” etc. And in any case, Rodion would have nothing to answer him. Ultimately, Raskolnikov’s “arithmetic”, according to which one can kill one “harmful old woman”, and then, having done a hundred good deeds, atone for this sin, is refuted by Svidrigailov’s “experiments”: all the good he has done cannot in any way justify the crimes of the past. But the main thing is that nothing in the world can revive his sick soul. He is precisely the “chosen one” who “transgressed” many times, and “transgressed” without moral torment, but still did not become Napoleon. Svidrigailov's life outcome is not only his suicide, it is also the final death of Raskolnikov's idea, revealing his monstrous self-deception.

Thus, the comparison of the hero with other characters is deeply connected with the philosophical meaning of the entire work of F. M. Dostoevsky. On the one hand, the caricatured, ugly images of Luzhin, Lebezyatnikov, Svidrigailov and some other heroes highlight the positive aspects of the character of Rodion Raskolnikov. On the other hand, with their help, the author exposes any misanthropic theories, often born of the unjust and cruel world itself. The mere fact that such people exist in society shows the enormous degree of imperfection and depravity of this society. This means that it makes us all think about how to find a way to rebuild the world around us in worthy and righteous ways. Raskolnikov’s “doubles” die one way or another - physically or spiritually. The hero himself is eventually reborn, retaining within himself a living human soul. Thus, the writer affirms the idea that humanity has a chance. And it simply has no right not to use it.

Does Rodion Raskolnikov's theory make sense? Analysis of the famous work of F. M. Dostoevsky in a modern way....

Raskolnikov's theory in the novel "Crime and Punishment" by F. M. Dostoevsky. The essence of Raskolnikov's theory, quotes

From Masterweb

10.05.2017 19:14

Today we will talk about the theory that F. Dostoevsky introduces us to in the novel “Crime and Punishment”. What ideas did the author want to convey and what is wrong with Raskolnikov’s theory?

About the book

Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky created a wonderful book about human madness called “Crime and Punishment.” It was written back in 1866, but remains relevant to this day. The writer lifts the curtain on the life of ordinary people in Russia in the 19th century. At this time, the struggle between various revolutionary movements intensifies, and social contradictions become more acute. In his book, Dostoevsky did not pursue the goal of creating a negative hero: he brings to the fore the problems of society, which creates the reasons that force a person to commit a crime. To show this, he describes in detail Rodion's thoughts, doubts, torments and reasons.

Main character

The main character is Rodion Raskolnikov - a modest man, a former student who works part-time wherever he can and lives in amazing poverty. He cannot see any brightness in life, he understands this perfectly well. Raskolnikov’s theory in the novel “Crime and Punishment” is revealed to readers gradually in order to convey all the depth and doom. It is worth understanding that Rodion is not the last scoundrel and idiot, he is quite smart, which is clearly visible in the process of reading the book. The guy is not without even such qualities as responsiveness and kindness. Isn't this the paradox of crime? After all, there are only a few from all over the world, who can be counted on one hand, who have truly animalistic, inexplicable rigidity, which is not dictated by anything other than a thirst for blood. There are incredibly few such people, and crimes are committed everywhere. How so? Every criminal also has something good in himself, no matter how difficult it may be to admit it at times. It’s easy to talk about this, in practice the situation is not so simple, but still the essence does not change. We understand that Rodion has a number of positive qualities, but the poverty surrounding him greatly hurts feelings. In addition, he sees the complete lack of rights and doom of those like himself. All this brings the hero to complete spiritual exhaustion, under the conditions of which his inhuman theory is born.

The essence of Raskolnikov's theory

What thoughts did Rodion try to calm himself down with? Did he succeed? Raskolnikov’s theory in the novel “Crime and Punishment” is that it divides people into two types: people who are completely powerless and those who can break the law for their own personal purposes. This is the main idea that the main character develops throughout the book. Over time, it changes a little, some new features of two categories of people appear. The funny thing is that at first Raskolnikov himself thought his theory was a joke; he did not take it seriously, but considered it simply entertainment in order not to think about pressing matters. The more Rodion “entertains” in this way, the more truthful, rational and correct his own theory seems to him. He begins to bring everyone and everything under it and think about people only based on this position.

Finding yourself

We already know what Raskolnikov’s theory is, but what place does he himself have in it? Throughout the book, he tries to answer this question for himself. Raskolnikov's theory in the novel Crime and Punishment states that for the happiness and well-being of the majority, the destruction of the minority is necessary. Through difficult thoughts and analysis of his mind, Rodion decides that he belongs to the category of people who have the right to perform any actions in order to achieve a goal. In order to test his luck and make sure that he belongs to the “elite,” Rodion decides to kill the old pawnbroker. The essence of Raskolnikov's theory is deceptive, because, trying to make the world a better place, he commits a terrible crime - murder.

Consequences

Wanting to improve the world around him, Raskolnikov realizes over time that the crime committed does not benefit anyone. He realizes the meaninglessness of his action. At this point, Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky begins to refute the already known theory. In the book, this happens against the backdrop of Rodion’s intense torment that he experiences after the murder. Raskolnikov’s theory in the novel “Crime and Punishment” fails, and the main character himself feels like a hunted animal, because, on the one hand, he is tormented by his conscience, and on the other, he is afraid of making a mistake and giving himself away.

Comprehension

The main character conducts a very unsuccessful experiment on himself, which leads to apathy and depression, because the problems remain unresolved, and in addition, his conscience torments him every night. What is Raskolnik's theory after the crime? For him, she remained the same, but he had to accept the fact that he, apparently, was a powerless trembling creature. He tries to stick to his views until the very end. The death of the old woman cuts him off from the outside world, he is completely immersed in his inner life. Raskolnikov’s theory, the quotes of which amaze even adults with their cruelty, was supposed to help the young man find peace, but it led him into the terrible jungle of his own conscience.
He is trying to find some kind of salvation, because he feels that the oppression of thoughts will soon destroy him. Raskolnikov wants to find a person to whom he can tell his terrible secret. He decides to trust Sonya Marmeladova, a girl who violated moral laws. Raskolnikov lightens his soul. The young man continues to communicate with the girl and, under her influence, repents of his crime before the law. Raskolnikov's theory (it is described briefly in the article) fails.

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Giving up his views is very difficult for Rodion. He is greatly influenced by people's faith in God and the immense kindness of Sonya Marmeladova. Raskolnikov's theory (summarized above) fails completely only after he has a dream where everyone kills each other, and as a result the earth becomes devastated. Totally absurd. Finally, Rodion understands the fallacy of his theory, because its essence is that there will be no people left. After sleep, the main character gradually begins to regain his faith in people and goodness. This is not easy, he stubbornly refuses past views. Rodion begins to understand that happiness should be available to everyone. He will also come to a deep understanding of Christian values. Happiness and prosperity cannot be built on crime. It is unacceptable to kill even one person, because people are absolutely equal by nature. Below are some quotes from the book:
“Power is given only to those who dare to bend down and pick it up. There’s only one thing, one thing: you just have to dare!”
“The more cunning a person is, the less he suspects that he will be knocked down in a simple way. The most cunning man must be taken from the simplest things.”
“...And you reach the line that if you don’t step over it, you’ll be unhappy, but if you step over it, maybe you’ll become even more unhappy...”
So, today we found out what Raskolnikov’s theory is.