Character Analysis

In his story, Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky explores the moralities of two

very different criminal minds. They are of the protagonist, Raskolnikov, and one of the

antagonists, Svidrigailov. Both of these men commit very heinous crimes, but it is their

thoughts about these incidents on which Dostoevsky focuses.

Raskolnikov is the main character of the novel. We are not only able to see how

and why he commits the murder, but also, his preparation. It all revolves around a radical

idea he has manifested called the "Super-Man Theory." It states that one can be above

simple authority, and able to commit any action, even if illegal, to better humanity.

Because of this thinking, he kills a pawn-broker named Alyona Ivanova, solely because

he believes by her taking other peoples money and objects, she is in some way harming

humanity and himself. Throughout the rest of the novel, he struggles with the question

of whether or not he is one of the true "super-men." Because of his uncontrollable

guilt he slowly comes to realize his normality. Although, he never really confesses

that he is sorry for the murder, and continues to believe that it was justified.

Svidrigailov on the other hand is a true villain. He has sinned a lot

more often

than Raskolnikov. But, his sins are, for the most part, behind him and he has accepted

them. Svidrigailov has an obsession

with Raskolnikov's sister, Dunya. In a letter from

Raskolnikov's mother, she tells him how Svidrigailov tries to seduce and court Dunya.

Svidrigailov also has dreams about young girls, and this makes many people suspect he

was