There are many reasons to read dostoyevsky’s classic Crime and Punishment. The first is that it’s a magnificent work of art. “On a beautiful July night, “excessively hot,” opens the novel: “A young man left the room he occupied, the attic of a large five-story building, located in Ward S, and with slow steps and an unresolved air, took the path of Bridge K?[1]. That’s an unresolved look, does it presage one of the central themes of the book?The one with the self-deception? And it’s a useful shortcut to Dostoyevsky’s seemingly confusing style. Is the book a whirlwind of decisions and indecisions, explosions, retrospectives, dreams and ramblings that immerse us in the spirit of Raskolnikov?The guy who went out on the street with unresolved air?and then killed two women in his “folie. “
But it is also a novel of great risk, subtlety and truthfulness. As Dostoyevsky shows, Raskolnikov is not crazy in the clinical sense, but in the spiritual sense. Madness is pride and the illusion of being an autonomous being, capable of leading your life towards the ends you choose. For him, isn’t there God or things like good or bad, just suffering?Freedom and power, especially power?” No more mirages, ” he said, “no more false fears, no more ghosts!”Can the realm of reason and light, freedom and strength begin now?It is this firm self-confidence and ability to figure out what’s good for him (and others) that drives him to hit two old ladies for a handful of coins and baubles to help. Poor people, it was said in a moment. In short, does Raskolnikov become an antichrist like John Milton’s Satan, who instead of establishing a kingdom of resurrection and peace contributes to a kingdom of murder and chaos?all this in the name of a common assumption.
- In addition to being a novel about illusion.
- Crime and Punishment is also.
- However.
- A book about the absurdity and offensiveity of the Gospel and contains one of the most moving portraits that characterize the gospel in literature in the figure of drunk Marmeladov.
- Who not only fails to support his impoverished family because he is “always drunk.
- ” but steals money from his 15-year-old prostitute daughter to spend on drinks.
- In a moving scene at the beginning of the book.
- Marmeladov tells his sad story to Raskolnikov in a bar:.
Well, as you can see, I spent these thirty kopeks on the drink, and I keep drinking!And I’m already drunk! But who cares about a guy like me?Tell me, do you feel sorry for him or not? Say it, sir, do I feel sorry for you or not?
No one but Christ Seen on the day of judgment, Marmeladov said to Raskolnikov:
That day, He will appear and ask, “Where is this poor girl who was sold by a bad and physical stepmother and for children who are nothing to her?Where is this poor girl who had compassion on her father, a drunk, without being frightened by her stupidity?And then he’ll say, “Come on, come here!” I forgave you once, I forgave you once. Your many sins are now forgiven for your loved ones. [?] And, after judging everyone, he will also bow down to us: “Come here, ” you will say?] And he’ll say, “My children!The beastly image is yours and you have your mark. But are you getting close too?.
The reaction of those at the bar is derogatory: “I’ve already said your sentence!But what a series of nonsense!?. And Raskolnikov, who does not know what to do with Marmeladov, will later express the Same kind of disgust. This brief passage does not do justice to the scene. If you read all this, you will cry (or be very outraged if you think God saves well).
The novel also challenges Christians to reflect Christ’s sacred love for the poor, yes, but also for atheist activists like Raskolnikov. Without making exaggerated concessions, Marmeladov’s daughter Sonia offers no rational proof of God to Raskolnikov, who collapses when he questions the existence of God. What she does, with great humility and faith, is to love Raskolnikov, and it is this love that challenges and silences him. It’s a love he can’t explain or get out of his troubled mind.
[1] Fior Dostoevsky. Crime and Punishment. Book House, 2016. Translation by A. Augusto dos Santos. Kindle Edition. [Translator’s note].