Well, the Crime occurred in the seventh chapter of this large book, leaving the rest of the book - another thirty-two chapters and an epilogue to deal with the 'Punishment.'
Raskolnikov, the main character, believed that some men are extraordinary; they are men of genius and as such are above the law. He believed himself to be in this class of men and when his circumstances became impoverished and his anxiety increased over his mother and sister's circumstances, he planned to kill the miserly old pawnbroker he had been dealing with, considering her to 'be worthless' and that 'the world was better off without her.'
All through the book he tries to justify his crime and he doesn't repent of his actions even when he decides to give himself up, admit that he was the murderer and gets sent off to a Siberian prison.
All through the book he tries to justify his crime and he doesn't repent of his actions even when he decides to give himself up, admit that he was the murderer and gets sent off to a Siberian prison.
'From Cain to the latest great offender every criminal act has been justified by reasoned arguments which come of their own accord to the criminal.............reason will put a good face on any matter we propose; and, that we can prove ourselves to be in the right is no justification for there is absolutely no theory we may receive, no action we may contemplate, which our reason will not affirm.'
Raskolnikov had people in his life who loved him, even when his crime was exposed, but his inner struggles kept pushing against their love and isolating him. Ultimately it was love that broke his pride and released him from his inner prison.
'Raskolnikov sat gazing, his thoughts passed into day-dreams, into contemplation; he thought of nothing, but a vague restlessness excited and troubled him. Suddenly he found Sonia beside him; she had come up noiselessly and sat down at his side. It was still quite early; the morning chill was still keen. She wore her poor old burnous and the green shawl; her face still showed signs of illness, it was thinner and paler. She gave him a joyful smile of welcome, but held out her hand with her usual timidity. She was always timid of holding out her hand to him and sometimes did not offer it at all, as though afraid he would repel it. He always took her hand as though with repugnance, always seemed vexed to meet her and was sometimes obstinately silent throughout her visit. Sometimes she trembled before him and went away deeply grieved. But now their hands did not part.
How it happened he did not know. But all at once something seemed to seize him and fling him at her feet. He wept and threw his arms round her knees. For the first instant she was terribly frightened and she turned pale. She jumped up and looked at him trembling. But at the same moment she understood, and a light of infinite happiness came into her eyes. She knew and had no doubt that he loved her beyond everything and that at last the moment had come. . . .'
Linking to Wednesday with Words
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