Term Paper Final - Madie

Madie Benn

Period 4

May 1st 2013

Term Paper: Crime and Punishment

In Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, the main character Raskolnikov has many different relationships with the other characters, however, none are so unique as that between Raskolnikov and Sonia. Their relationship is so different from that of any other characters because for the first time it seems that Raskolnikov has found somebody who he can find solace through, and Sonia has found someone who does not look down upon her. They place a certain trust in each other and begin to seek each other out in times of need. What makes their connection closer is that although they lead different lives, they ultimately have the same troubles and conflicts. Both Raskolnikov and Sonia want and need to provide for their families. Furthermore, they both struggle with the same internal conflicts of guilt and sin that come from Sonia’s prostitution and Raskolnikov’s murderous act. The two characters find parts of their lives, the tormenting parts, that parallel each others. 

Unlike Raskolnikov’s other relationships with characters in the novel, his connection with Sonia is more intimate and trusting than any other. Throughout the novel, Raskolnikov seeks refuge from his own guilt with her. He finds comfort in her company, and although at first she seems frightened by his late night visits and outbursts, she finds herself strangely enjoying them as well. Sonia, faced with similar feelings of guilt and despair, finds solace in God, by staying religious and praying often. For her, this is a way to cope with her own conflicts of helping her family and herself through prostitution. In Raskolnikov’s case, it is Sonia who becomes his saviour, as he uses her to find his own solace. This point is further shown when he confesses to her that he was the murderer. He finds comfort in her company, and she offers him relief from his tormenting guilt. This unique relationship is not seen between any other characters in the novel, and is a positive relationship for both Raskolnikov and Sonia. The two characters are able to use this relationship to overcome their own inner troubles and conflicts. For Sonia, Raskolnikov makes her feel like a better person when he stands up for her when she is accused of theft, and also when he says “I did my sister an honor by sitting her next to you.” For the first time, Sonia gains the respect of somebody, and is not judged for her line of work. In Raskolnikov’s case, Sonia offers an outlet to stop himself from going mad. She helps him deal with his guilt of the murders by acting as his saviour and guiding him in the right direction. As the book continues they slowly become closer, finding more things that connect them, and ultimately falling in love.

From the beginning of the book, it is clear that Raskolnikov holds his family quite dear to him. Before the murder, he receives a letter from his sister that tells of her engagement and absolutely enrages Raskolnikov because he doesn’t want to see her unhappy or living with a man who will not treat her well. He immediately doesn’t like his sister’s fiance, and this hatred continues throughout the book. Family is a crucial thing to him, and he will do anything to protect his sister and mother. This point is further emphasized when, after the murder, he considers running away and leaving his family to protect them in case he got caught. Later on in the book he begins to realize that it was because of his love for his family that he even committed the crime, “if only I were alone and nobody loved me and I never loved anybody! All this wouldn’t have happened!” His love of his family takes over his life, and he strives for their welfare. He is their breadwinner and protects them, he is even driven to murder to ensure they would be financially stable. Interestingly, this is almost the same situation that Sonia Marmeladov is found in. At a young age, she had to step up to become the provider for her family, when her father became a drunk. There is nothing more important to her than her family. She was even beaten by her step mother Katherine Ivanova yet still claims she loves her dearly. When Katherine Ivanova becomes ill, Sonia is distraught with the idea that her sister may have to go into the same line of work as her. She does all she can to protect her family, and keep them safe, just like Raskolnikov. Both of them are drawn towards sin for their families. It is this love of family that connects the two characters even further. No other characters have such similar situations regarding family, therefore it seems fitting that they would seek each other out, and gravitate towards each other in times of need. They both understand what it means to undergo hardship on behalf of their families. 

Within the novel, the idea of sin also plays a huge role in both Raskolnikov and Sonia’s lives, and is a key factor that brings the two characters closer. Raskolnikov sees Sonia as similar to him particularly because they have both sinned, Raskolnikov through murder, and Sonia through prostitution. Although these sins are quite different from each other, and their severity is incomparable, Raskolnikov does not seem to realize this. He only makes a connection that they both have sinned. He believes that since they both have sinned, that Sonia must be feeling the same things that he does throughout the book. Raskolnikov is convinced that she suffers as much as he does with internal guilt, hatred, and also confusion on whether or not it was the right thing to do. In Sonia’s case she does feel the same things he does, however it is less amplified. Therefore when he confesses to her about the murders she is not angry or scared, but she sees how he suffers and even embraces him. They both understand the internal conflicts that arise from committing a sin, and this brings them closer than any other two characters in the book. 

Another important moment in Raskolnikov and Sonia’s relationship comes when Sonia reads aloud the Story of Lazarus. The story describes the miracle of how Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, through pure faith in God. It emphasizes how belief in God and in Jesus could bring spiritual life, even if there is physical death. Faith and belief will bring back life to those who believe. This scripture is key for both Sonia and Raskolnikov. For Sonia, the scripture was  important for as she reads “her eyes misted over and the lines blurred, but she knew what she was reading by heart.” It is clear that she has read this scripture many times before, and that its words have an immense power over her. She is in such a dire position in life, that this scripture offers her hope that if she believes in God, that she will also be “resurrected” from her state of depression, guilt and sin. However, she has a difficult time reading it to Raskolnikov. She stammers over words, and shakes the whole time. Raskolnikov realizes this and understands why. For Sonia, this scripture is like his own secret of the murders. It is her outlet to calm her own guilt and sin. Raskolnikov understands how she feels, and as she reads it for once he is silent and calm, empathizing with her. He understands how she wants to read it yet can’t, the same way he wants to confess to her but it is so difficult. Not only does the meaning of the story cross over into his world, but Sonia’s difficult emotions that come with reading aloud to him further connect them. 

In the book, there is a specific moment which ties Raskolnikov and Sonia together. The crosses. Before Raskolnikov decides to confess, he is in a fit. He storms to Sonia’s house where he demands the cross. Sonia goes to her dresser and takes out two crosses, “One of cypress wood and one of copper.” (pg.497) from her drawer and, after crossing herself and Raskolnikov, she places the crosses around both of their necks. In Christianity, the cross has symbolized Jesus’ self-sacrifice for human kind. It is an important part of the religion as it was what Jesus was crucified on. For Raskolnikov he regards the cross as a symbol of taking responsibility for his actions, as he confesses shortly after. For Sonia, the cross is her own symbol of redemption not only in death but also in life. This act solidifies her intentions to stay with him no matter what. This symbolizes her commitment to Raskolnikov. Almost acting as an engagement. They will “bear [their] cross[es] together.” Further, throughout the book they are constantly “crossing” each others paths, and these meetings have a profound effect on Raskolnikov. For example, just before he goes to kill the pawnbroker and Lizaveta he “crosses” Sonia. They make eye contact for a brief moment and then he walks on. Moreover, after failing to confess he sees her in the street watching him, imploring him to confess through the look in her eyes. He returns to the office and confesses. Their “crosses” as well as their physical crosses bring them closer, and ultimately help Raskolnikov to confess as well as giving Sonia redemption and hope. 

After Raskolnikov’s confession to the police, he is sentenced to eight years of hard labour in Siberia. It is here that Raskolnikov finally repents for his crime and offers remorse however this is only after he realizes that he loves Sonia. She had come with him to Siberia and visited him all the time, but at first he seemed annoyed by her presence more than comforted. She sat outside his window, and one day, after not seeing her for a while, he was able to meet her outside without a guard. He finally feels the love she feels for him. It is this moment that makes him truly repent for his crime. That night he reads her New Testament that he had under his pillow, which shows how much he loves her. He is willing to convert not just because he loves her but because he believes in her and what she believes in. She was the influential character that allowed him to truly atone for what he did. Without Sonia, he would have carried the crime as well as the severe punishment with him until he broke down into madness. She acted as his saviour. However, Raskolnikov acted as Sonia’s saviour as well. In Siberia, Sonia is loved by the people, unlike in St. Petersburg where she was treated as a second class citizen. Here she finally finds a place where she can find solace, just like Raskolnikov finally does. 

The relationship between Raskolnikov and Sonia is one of mutual benefit, and internal healing. They are drawn to each other through similar feelings and circumstances which bring them closer, and allow them to relate to each other. Their relationship is so unique in that they both trust each other, and ultimately fall in love. However, it is more than love, because they are able to act much like each others saviours, guiding the other through their own inner turmoil while fixing their own as well. They find deep connections through things like the Story of Lazarus, and they seek each other out in times of need. Their relationship offers guidance and hope to the other, Sonia leads Raskolnikov to confess and do the right thing while Raskolnikov leads Sonia to a place where she is loved. This sort of relationship is not seen between any other two characters, and therefore is unique to Raskolnikov and Sonia.