3 replies to this topic

[MorganMarieM]

How does Dostoevsky use Raskolnikov's mental imprisonment as a means to criticize society? I really need help with this question.

[pennywise256]

I think the author makes a critic of the society through many behaviours Raskolnikov shows throughout the novel. First, he criticises the society on it's very grounds by making clear how a person is mercilessly pointed out by the society based on a singe action, we have to see beyond, we have to realise there's a complete background behind a person's behaviour and attitudes. And those destructive criticisms society emits many times are just too hard, even though they don't know the context the action took place in. For example, it is shown the internal showdown Raskolnikov faces for having killed the old woman, but it's also shown how he gives to Mermeladova and Polska the only kopeks he left. Indeed he was starving too, and he needed that money almost as much as the poor woman and kids, but he gives it to them, and he does it anonymously! The bottomline of it is showing how society only focuses and condemns a person based on their bad actions, that's the only thing that matters for them, they don't care about the human sense of a person. In the other hand, it is Piotr Petrovich, who despite being a wealthy man, has no intention to help the poor women, instead, he just cares about getting a selfish benefit, and he even accuses Sonechka about having stolen a money he had no idea about ! With all this Doistoyevski shows the hypocrisy of the society, who praises the rich no matter their mean behaviour and feelings, and condemn the poor, despite having good intentions.

[MorganMarieM]

ahhh that makes sense. Thank you much.

[daxx]

I feel he more criticizes the 'undeveloped' ideas of Raskolnikov (nihilism and utilitarianism). I feel like he uses Lebezyatnikov for the same purpose as well, with his nonsensical talks about the commune with Peter Petrovich.