Character Analysis

Rodion Raskolnikov- Raskolnikov is the protagonist in the novel Crime and Punishment, written by Fyodor Dostoevsky. The story is told entirely from his point of view, which offers a unique perspective on a murderer’s guilty conscience and justification for his actions. His name is derived from the Russian word “raskolnik”, meaning schismatic or divided. This basically sums up Raskolnikov’s attitude towards society. He feels that every person that he comes in contact with is out to get him. Alienation is his most fundamental trait as a protagonist. This trait leads him to believe that he is above the typical moral standard for all humans. His murder of Alyona and Lizaveta Ivanovna are justified, in his mind, because he is under the impression that he can choose who deserves to live or die. And yet, his weakness is illustrated through his fainting at the mentioning of the murderers due to his overwhelming guilt. With the progression of the novel, Raskolnikov begins to ponder a confession more and more. Although this is apparent, he never once questions his reasoning for the murders. To him, the murders were justified through his “above the law” attitude. Much is learned about Raskolnikov’s personality by observing his interactions with the other characters in the novel. He is oblivious to his friend’s attempts to help him due to his obsession with his crime. When compared to Sonya, he is proved flawed. Sonya sacrifices herself through prostitution, in order to help her family. While on the other hand, Raskolnikov commits his crime through his own sake alone.

Sonya Marmeladov- Sonya is a very timid and bashful character. She remains devout to her family among the marital problems between her parents and her father’s drinking problem. Sonya is forced into prostitution as a last ditch effort to help support her family. Much of this is due to her father’s habitual drinking and unemployment. At first, Sonya is intimidated by Raskolnikov. Raskolnikov carries a daunting disposition because he is under constant delirium and is quite unpredictable. Among this fact, Sonya still has carries the capacity to love Raskolnikov and care for him during his troubled times. Raskolnikov feels that he can relate to Sonya because she also is stepping over the line that seperates morality and immorality. Sonya represents a plethora of subjects that Dostoevsky wanted to address; such as the ill-treatment of women, the destruction that poverty can contain, and the importance of devotion to family.

Dunya Romanovna- Dunya is Raskolnikov’s sister and contains many of the same traits as him. But in most other ways, she is Raskolnikov’s foil. Whereas he is self-centered and tends to intellectualizing, she is self-sacrificing and shows endless compassion. The relationship between Dunya and Raskolnikov is always based on mutual love and respect, but it swings from one extreme of emotion to the other as Raskolnikov slowly approaches the moment of confession. In many ways, Dunya is more mature than her brother. While he grows angry and dizzy confronting Luzhin, she remains confident and in control, even when she becomes just as angry. She is the strongest female character in the novel. Although Sonya appears equally strong, Dunya is not timid and crushed by poverty. Dunya is certainly one of the heroes in this novel. It is only appropriate that she and Razumikhin marry at the end.

Svidrigailov- Svidrigailov is one of the most mysterious characters in Crime and Punishment. There is no question, however, that he is a known villain. But other than his attempted rape of Dunya, all of his crimes have been put behind him. Another interesting trait that Svidrigailov possesses is that he knows that he cannot force reality to conform to his deepest desires. In this way, he also serves as a foil to Raskolnikov. In the end, the rejection that Dunya gives in his attempt at sharing his love compels him to commit suicide. He dies with dignity.

Razumikhin- This is Raskolnikov's fellow student and only friend from the university. Razumikhin takes care of Raskolnikov while he is ill and then takes care of Raskolnikov's family when Raskolnikov abandons them. He is in many ways the foil to Raskolnikov: friendly, sociable, and humble. Both are intelligent, but Razumikhin does not fall into the trap of hyper-rationalism as Raskolnikov does; he maintains his perspective and can see the dangers of the new ideas that have corrupted Raskolnikov. Razumikhin falls in love with Dunya and pledges himself to take care of her and her mother forever. In the end, his marriage to Dunya makes this possible.

Pulcheria Alexandrovna- This is Raskolnikov's mother. She writes to Rodya early on in the book, telling him about Dunya's experience with the Svidrigailovs and her eventual engagement to Luzhin. Though she tends to romanticize things and perhaps get carried away, Pulcheria sees a good deal, which comes out in the end especially, when she falls ill and in her delirium betrays her suspicion of her son's fate, which till then has been kept from her.

Pyotr Luzhin- This is Dunya's fiancé at the start of the book. Luzhin, who had worked himself up from nothing, is vain and worships his money. He feels that Dunya, in her poverty, would make the ideal humble and grateful wife, and is astonished when he loses her to his own folly. He attempts to win her back and discredit her brother by framing and slandering Sonya, but it does not work.

Alyona Ivanovna- This is the pawnbroker whom Raskolnikov sets out to murder and rob. Usually referred to as "the old crone," she is hateful and quite rich, though she hoards up her money like a miser. After his first business encounter with her, Raskolnikov becomes obsessed with the question of whether it is more just to let her live or to kill her and use her money for the benefit of the many who could use it.

Lizaveta Ivanovna- This is the half-sister of Alyona Ivanovna. Lizaveta is virtually enslaved by her half-sister. Because of her honesty and fairness, she acts as a middleman for poor families which need to sell their things and make a profit. Lizaveta walks in when Raskolnikov is busy robbing Alyona Ivanovna, having murdered her. Desperate, he kills Lizaveta as well. Later he finds out that she had been a friend of Sonya's. This only stirs his guilt even more.

Katerina Marmeladov- Katerina is the unfortunate wife of Marmeladov. She had been born into something of a more upper-class family, married a first abusive husband, had three children by him, and then was rescued by the pathetic Marmeladov. Katerina Ivanovna nevertheless slaves over her family and loves them all, including her irresponsible husband, and her stepdaughter Sonya, whom she had put into prostitution for the sake of the family. Katerina Ivanovna is extreme in her loves and hates, mocks those whom she considers inferior by birth, places great emphasis on breeding and lineage, and tends to exaggerate the importance of herself and her friends. On the day of her husband's funeral and memorial meal, chaos erupts and, having been kicked out of the apartment by the landlady once again, Katerina Ivanovna rushes out and drags her children onto the street to sing for money. She collapses, and is rushed to Sonya's apartment, where she dies. Her death is one that does not need much morning. She represents all that poverty can do to a single human being.