Raskolikov, the protagonist, had to face several
difficulties in order to survive in his poor living conditions. He demonstrates
cowardly characteristics as his stomach churns at the thought of facing his
landlady, to whom he owes several months rent to. He is constantly nervous and
living in fear. He is a suspicious person as he avoids all human contact
including former acquaintances and friends. His character is further taken into
question as he deliberates on an unrevealed plan that makes him ashamed and
disgusted at himself, but does not believe it can be pulled off since he is
afraid of everything. He struggles between his will to commit the crime and his
loathing of himself for considering it. He meets a retired government clerk,
Marmeladov, at a bar who volunteers his life story. He is an alcoholic who appears
to have a contradictory personality, which is demonstrated by the fact that he
realizes that his family problems are largely his fault yet denies
responsibility for his actions. This man eventually disgusts Raskolikov after
meeting his family and realizing that they are terrible people for allowing
their daughter to prostitute herself in order to assist the family’s financial
state. Raskolikov shows positive character traits by selflessly giving
money to this family in order to aid them when he can barely support himself,
although he regrets doing so later realizing that the money will probably be wasted.
His protectiveness over his family is shown when he is furious with his sister’s
decision to marry a richer man in order to help him out with his financial
needs, which suggests a future conflict between him and the fiancée.
-Gabriel Magalhaes
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