The Split Personalities of Raskolnikov
Fyodor Dostoevsky is best known for bone chilling tells of murder and suffering. This is blamed on the years that he spent in prison. While in prison he became fascinated with crime. In the novel Crime and Punishment Dostoevsky creates a character, Raskolnikov, who commits the worst crime possible-murder. Raskolnikov is in reality two contradicting personalities. One of the best examples of Raskolnikov's dual personality is when he tries to help a girl on the street who has been raped. His compassionate side tries to protect her from the evil of the street. Then his cold and unfeeling side comes through and he is repulsed by the wickedness of our society.
It is his dual character that serves as his punishment. Dostoevsky's time in prison undoubtedly had an effect on how he created the dual personality of Raskolnikov. 24) This is the cruel and unforgiving side exploding through as he repents for giving the money to the family. At first Raskolnikov feels generous and happy. Then he almost turns around and repents for his actions. Before going in the tavern he is very unsociable and has not really carried on a conversation with anyone but the pawnbroker. This is the good and caring side of his personality showing through. He decides to leave her alone and says to the policeman "Stop! What is it to you? Drop it! Let him amuse himself. Dostoevsky could have been a warm and compassionate person but in order to survive in prison he created a cold and inhumane personality for himself. One side of him is able to commit the murders so the other must bear the punishment. Perhaps he used Raskolnikov as a coping mechanism to deal with his days in prison. His intellectual side ignores his conscience and he is able to commit the crime.
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