The narrative structure of the work "Crime and Punishment" is considered quite complex. In the center of the novel is the image of Rodion Raskolnikov and his theory. In the course of the story, other heroes appear. Of particular importance in the work "Crime and Punishment" are Raskolnikov's doubles. Why does Dostoevsky introduce them to the plot? What are the similarities of Raskolnikov and his counterparts? What is the difference? What are their ideas? What are Raskolnikov's doubles - Luzhin and Svidrigailov? More on this later in the article.
Petr Petrovich Luzhin - Raskolnikov's double
The author characterizes it quite negatively. Luzhin is rich, is a brilliant businessman. He came to Petersburg to arrange his career. "Having beaten out into people," Peter highly valued his own mind, his abilities, he was used to admiring himself and enjoying it. His main dream was to marry. Peter sought to bless a girl by elevating her to himself. She certainly had to be educated and beautiful. He knew that in St. Petersburg one could "win a lot by women." His painful narcissism, all his dreams speak of a certain imbalance in character, about the presence of cynicism in him. With the help of money "breaking out of insignificance," he remained low inside. Next, we find out what indicates that Luzhin and Raskolnikov are doubles.
Theory of Peter Petrovich
Luzhin is represented by a business man who, more than anything else, appreciates the money that has been obtained "by all means and labor." He considers himself intelligent, working for the benefit of people, progressive and respects himself very much. Pyotr Petrovich has his own theory, which he with great pleasure develops before Rodion Raskolnikov. His idea of ​​“rational egoism” implies love first of all for oneself, since everything that happens in the world is based, in his opinion, on his own interest. If all people act according to his theory, there will be many more successful citizens in society. Thus, a person, acquiring everything exclusively for himself, works for the good of the whole society and in the name of economic progress. In life, Luzhin is guided by this theory. The dream of marrying Avdotya amuses his vanity. In addition, this marriage can contribute to his future career. Raskolnikov, meanwhile, is against this marriage. But Petr Petrovich quickly enough finds a way to rectify the situation. In order to denigrate Rodion in front of his family and regain Dunya’s location, he pays a bill to Sonya and accuses her of theft.
Why is Luzhin a Raskolnikov’s double?
By analyzing the theory of Pyotr Petrovich, one can find many analogies with the idea of ​​Rodion. And in the first and second priority remains their own, personal interest. Raskolnikov claims that "everything is allowed to the Napoleons." According to Peter Petrovich, Rodion’s idea is also intended to save humanity from evil and is aimed at achieving progress in development. Only people who can destroy the present for the good of the future can move the world and lead it to the goal.
Similarity of opinion is the cause of hatred
It should be said, however, that Rukolnikov did not like the idea of ​​Luzhin very much. Probably, on an intuitive level, Rodion felt a resemblance to his ideas and thoughts. He points out to Pyotr Petrovich that, according to his "Luzhin" theory, "people can be slaughtered". Apparently, the similarity in thoughts and vision of the situation in the world causes Rodion's unaccountable hatred for Peter Petrovich. As a result, a certain “vulgarity” of Raskolnikov’s theory appears. Petr Petrovich offers an “economic” version of it, one that, in his opinion, is applicable in life and is aimed at achieving goals mainly by material means. Thus, we can conclude that Luzhin is Raskolnikov's double in everyday life.
Another character with a similar theory
In the course of the story, another hero appears - Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov. This rather complex character with all his being expresses a certain "unevenness". He is "not one-line anywhere", but in his image the philosophical context of the expression of Rodion's idea is traced. Thanks to the actions of Svidrigailov (it was he who revealed the true state of affairs of Martha Petrovna), the good name of Raskolnikov’s sister is restored. Arkady Ivanovich also helps the Marmeladov family by organizing the funeral of the deceased Katerina Ivanovna and attaching orphaned young children to an orphanage. He helps Sonya, providing her with funds for a trip to Siberia.
Brief description of Arkady Ivanovich
This person is smart, insightful, he has his own special "subtlety." He has the ability to perfectly understand people. Thanks to this skill, he was immediately able to determine what Luzhin was. Arkady Ivanovich decides to prevent the marriage of Pyotr Petrovich to Avdotya. According to some authors, Svidrigailov potentially appears to be a man of great strength and conscience. However, all of his inclinations are being ruined by Russian public foundations, a way of life. The hero does not have any ideals, there is no clear moral reference point. Among other things, Arkady Ivanovich naturally has a vice, which he not only cannot fight, but also does not want to. It is in this case about his tendency to debauchery. The life of the hero proceeds in submission to his own passions.
What are the similarities between Rodion and Arkady Ivanovich?
Svidrigailov at a meeting with Raskolnikov notes some “common point” between them, saying that they are “berries of one field”. Dostoevsky himself to a certain extent brings these characters together, portraying them, develops one motive - children's innocence, purity. In the image of Raskolnikov, there are features of a child - he has a "children's smile", and in his first dream he appears before himself as a seven-year-old boy. In Sonya, with which Rodion is becoming increasingly close, traces of innocence and purity are also traced. To Raskolnikov, she resembles a child. Lizaveta’s face also had a childish expression when Rodion attacked her. For Arkady Ivanovich, meanwhile, the children are a reminder of the atrocities committed by him, coming to him in nightmares. It is this general motive, the very fact of its presence that allows us to say that Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov are doubles.
Differences in the images of Arkady Ivanovich and Rodion
In the course of the narrative, the differences between the characters become more pronounced. The crime committed by Raskolnikov was a symbol of protest against the cruelty and injustice of the world around him, the intolerance of living conditions. The plight of the family and himself acts as a secondary motive. In addition, he sought to test his theory. However, after the crime, Rodion is no longer able to live differently, as if he "cut himself off from everyone with scissors." He now has nothing to talk with those around him, and he is seized with a feeling of excruciating alienation from all people. Despite this, before and after the crime, the ideals are preserved in the image of Raskolnikov - the concepts of evil and good are very important for him. So, after the crime, he assists the Marmeladovs, gives the last 20 rubles to organize the funeral of Semyon Zakharovich. In the image of Svidrigailov, nothing like this manifests itself. Arkady Ivanovich appears completely devastated and spiritually dead. In it, unbelief and cynicism coexist with a subtle mind, self-sufficiency, life experience. He is so "dead" that even feelings for Duna are not capable of reviving him.
Love for her aroused noble impulses and the manifestation of true humanity in Arkady Ivanovich only for a short moment. Svidrigailov is bored of living, he does not believe in anything, nothing takes his heart and mind. Along with this, he indulges his desires: both good and bad. Arkady Ivanovich does not feel remorse, having killed a very young girl. And only once her image appears to him in a nightmare - on a dying night. This creates the idea that this is his crime - not the only crime of the hero: there are a lot of rumors and gossip about him. However, the character himself is very indifferent to them and, in fact, does not consider his actions to be something out of the ordinary.
The embodiment of Rodion's theory in the image of Arkady Ivanovich
Speaking about the fact that Svidrigailov is Raskolnikov’s double, one should pay attention to their personal relationships. At first, Rodion thinks that Arkady Ivanovich has some kind of power over him. Raskolnikov is drawn to Svidrigailov. But later Rodion feels some kind of "heaviness", he becomes "stuffy" from this proximity. Gradually, Raskolnikov begins to believe that Svidrigailov is the most insignificant and most empty villain on earth. Arkady Ivanovich, meanwhile, goes much further than Rodion along the path of evil. In this regard, even some symbolism of the name Arkady can be traced. It is of Greek origin and literally translates as "shepherd." In Orthodox culture, this word was used in the meaning of "shepherd" - leader, mentor, teacher in spiritual life. In a way, Svidrigailov is such for Raskolnikov: in his unbelief and cynicism, he surpasses Rodion in many ways. Arkady Ivanovich constantly demonstrates his "mastery", to a certain extent "higher" knowledge of Rodion's theory, practically embodying it.
The meaning of the characters in the work
Raskolnikov's doubles are close in spirit to him, but have different purposes. Each of them in its own way embodies Rodion's theory. With their own internal appearance, Raskolnikov’s doubles in the novel discredit his ideas. The image of Pyotr Petrovich seems to be a primitive embodiment of the theory at the everyday level. Arkady Ivanovich is a deeper character. Svidrigailov’s application of the Raskolnikov theory is more profound. He embodies it at a philosophical level. When you analyze the image and actions of Arkady Ivanovich, in some way the bottom of the abyss is exposed, where the "individualistic" idea of ​​the protagonist leads.
Sonya Marmeladova
If the characters described above are Raskolnikov’s spiritual counterparts, then this heroine is similar to Rodion exclusively in her “life status”. In any case, the main character of the work thought so. She, like the rest of the characters, was able to cross the line beyond which morality ends. Being an active and active nature, Sofia Semenovna tries to save the family from death. In her actions, she is primarily guided by faith, kindness, meekness. Sonya attracts Rodion, he begins to identify her with himself. However, like other Raskolnikov’s doubles, Marmeladova soon becomes completely different from him. Rodion notices that he ceases to understand her, she even seems to him "holy fool" and strange. Subsequently, the differences between them become more pronounced.
"Crime" by Sonya Marmeladova
It should be said that her “crime" has a difference from the actions of Raskolnikov. Turning into a prostitute, saving children from starvation, she brings harm to herself. While other heroes inflict it on others, they ruin other people's lives. Rodion is free to choose between evil and good. Sonya was initially deprived of this choice. Her act is immoral, but justified in some way by motive. Unlike other characters, Sonya’s soul is filled with love, faith, mercy, she is “alive” and feels her unity with others.
Conclusion
On the pages of the work a lot of personalities appear before the reader. All of them are more or less similar to the main character - Raskolnikov. Of course, this similarity is not accidental. Rodion's theory is so terrible that a simple description of his life was not enough. Otherwise, the image of his fate and the collapse of his ideas would come down to a simple description of the criminal story of a half-obsessed student. In his work, Dostoevsky tried to show that this theory is not so new and quite realizable. Its development and refraction permeates human destinies, people's lives. As a result, an understanding is emerging that it is necessary to fight against this evil. Everyone has their own means to counter immorality. At the same time, one should not forget that the fight against the enemy with the help of his own weapons becomes meaningless, since he again returns to the same path of immorality.