In this final chapter of part one, the reader is presented with evidence that Raskolnikov is evil and truly mentally unstable. It is known that he has been dealing with an internal conflict between right and wrong. However, it is not fully accepted that Raskolnikov will follow through with this murder until the act is committed. When Alyona opens the door for him, there is a wild and agitated expression in Raskolnikov's eyes. It is as if the last of his rationality was overcome by adrenaline and hatred for Alyona. Although all signs have foreshadowed that he will follow through with the murder, it still comes as a shock when he repeated strikes her with an axe until her death and robs her. When Lizaveta walks in, Raskolnikov panics and proceeds to murder her as well. If there was any chance of good being present in Raskolnikov after he murdered Alyona, all hope was lost after he murdered Lizaveta. This is because Raskolnikov believed that murdering Alyona was justified and that he was doing the right thing because everyone hated her and he thought the world would be better without her. Although his thoughts were obviously irrational, he at least believed he was doing good. When he murdered Lizaveta, there were no good intentions: it was purely in order to save himself from being arrested. This chapter suggests that he is heading down a path of crime and I believe he will eventually pay the consequences for these horrid actions.
-Gabriel
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