Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov are the heroes of the psychological novel by F. M. Dostoevsky. They are called spiritual doubles. There really is a similarity between these characters. The comparative characteristics of Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov are the subject of many critical articles. What did the author of the famous novel see the similarity between these seemingly completely different personalities?
Eyes - a mirror of the soul
The main principle that guided Dostoevsky in his work was reliability. Raskolnikov is a collective image of students-raznochintsy 60s. The protagonist of the novel is extremely poor, lives in a small room, is poorly dressed and even starves. The appearance of Svidrigailov, on the contrary, indicates that this person is not used to denying himself anything.
It should be said that the great Russian writer paid great attention to the description of the hero’s eyes. At Raskolnikov they are "beautiful and dark." Svidrigailov's eyes look cold and intently. But, in order not to get ahead of ourselves, it is worth saying a few words about these characters. The comparative characteristics of Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov suggest a preliminary analysis of each of these heroes.
Raskolnikov
This man is selfless. He has the insight that allows you to unravel people, to see how sincere they are. But the main thing is that he is a generous dreamer and idealist. Rodion Romanovich longs to make mankind happy. To the best of his ability, he helps the poor and destitute, but his capabilities, as you know, are too insignificant. In the name of a lofty goal, he goes to the crime.
Svidrigailov
At first glance, this hero is the opposite of the main one. He lives for his pleasure. On his conscience, the lives of two people, and perhaps this man is related to the death of his wife. To Raskolnikov, oddly enough, he experiences something that looks like sympathy. “Maybe we’ll come closer,” he tells him in one of his first meetings. The comparative characteristics of Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov allows us to determine what are the similarities between them, and what are the differences.
Similarities
They are both criminals. The comparative characteristics of Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov indicate, first of all, involvement in the murder. The commoner kills the percussionist and her younger sister. On the conscience of the nobleman - the servant brought to suicide, the death of a fourteen-year-old girl, the murder of his wife. His guilt in all these crimes has not been proved, he walks free, and at the beginning of the work the impression is created that it will always be so. Nevertheless, he is a murderer, as well as the idealist Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov belong to the "right having". A comparative characterization reveals their general position regarding their role in society. According to Raskolnikov’s theory, there are people on whom, if not everything, then much depends on the world. Their units. The rest is a gray faceless mass. And the student does not want to classify himself in the second category. His worldview is formed, first of all, under the influence of the cult of Napoleon. And referring himself to the category of strong personalities, he gives himself the right to decide the fate of other people.
Svidrigailov’s actions are not based on the philosophy of “superman”, an example of which can be the great commander. His worldview is quite primitive. The authorities intoxicate him, and the crimes committed add strength to a certain point.
Comparison leads to the definition of another similarity in the fate of these heroes. Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov commit crimes, but not one of them goes unpunished. A student suffers unbearably after a complete murder. Svidrigailov commits suicide.
Differences
The motives for the crimes these heroes commit are completely different. The main differences are clearly indicated by the description of the images. Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov are criminals. But if the former commits murder for a high purpose (which, of course, does not justify him), then the latter does not think at all about the consequences. Svidrigailova is interested only in the satisfaction of momentary desire.
The mental state of Raskolnikov after a complete atrocity is close to madness. Svidrigailov is a sane person, and he loses his judgment only when he strives for his goal. From here follows the main difference between the criminals - the thin line between good and evil, Raskolnikov was never able to cross, while his antipode counterpart has long been below the line of moral and ethical standards.
Having created such a striking contrast in the novel, F. Dostoevsky seems to indicate two ways that a person who has robbed another of his life can have. The offender, committing the murder, thereby experiencing spiritual death. And only penance and confession of guilt can resurrect him.