Comparing Dostoyevsky's Crime And Punishment
Often, in the course of studying a novel, the reader comes to realize
that much of the author himself is present in the work. His or her ideas,
morals, beliefs, and traits are molded to fit the forms of characters. In
Fydor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment, these ideas took human form,
and can be described as "an idea always having a skin around it, a human
personality." Dostoyevsky's character, Sofia (Sonia) Marmelodov, is a true
example of this. Sonia represented the human propensity for suffering, and the
ability of one to remain pure while being surrounded by filth and degradation.
She truly showed how strong and great the human spirit can ultimately be.
Throughout tremendous poverty, separation …show more content…
She had given up any idea of an earthly salvation, and
concentrated solely on Heavenly redemption. Her faith in God is unfaltering.
Even when she was called a "holy fool," she stuck to her beliefs. Although she
spent the majority of her day in a painted face, with tarnished slippers, and cast-
off finery, her mind and heart were always elsewhere. In the Ernest J. Simmons
essay, "The Art of Crime and Punishment," Sonia was described as being, "..a
kind of living universal symbol of crushed and suffering humanity that bears
within itself the undying seed of joyous resurrection." In her, Sonia not only held
the key for a personal resurrection, but the key to the resurrection of Rodia's
soul as well. "Life is the expiation of sin through suffering." She was looked to
not only as a support, but also a redeemer. The idea of Sonia as the redeemer
was also a strong theme in Crime and Punishment. In the Greek language,
"Sofia", Sonia's real name, means wisdom. Not only did she speak with wisdom
when offering advice, she lived it.
In this respect, Sonia can also be looked to as a Christ figure. She
that much of the author himself is present in the work. His or her ideas,
morals, beliefs, and traits are molded to fit the forms of characters. In
Fydor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment, these ideas took human form,
and can be described as "an idea always having a skin around it, a human
personality." Dostoyevsky's character, Sofia (Sonia) Marmelodov, is a true
example of this. Sonia represented the human propensity for suffering, and the
ability of one to remain pure while being surrounded by filth and degradation.
She truly showed how strong and great the human spirit can ultimately be.
Throughout tremendous poverty, separation …show more content…
She had given up any idea of an earthly salvation, and
concentrated solely on Heavenly redemption. Her faith in God is unfaltering.
Even when she was called a "holy fool," she stuck to her beliefs. Although she
spent the majority of her day in a painted face, with tarnished slippers, and cast-
off finery, her mind and heart were always elsewhere. In the Ernest J. Simmons
essay, "The Art of Crime and Punishment," Sonia was described as being, "..a
kind of living universal symbol of crushed and suffering humanity that bears
within itself the undying seed of joyous resurrection." In her, Sonia not only held
the key for a personal resurrection, but the key to the resurrection of Rodia's
soul as well. "Life is the expiation of sin through suffering." She was looked to
not only as a support, but also a redeemer. The idea of Sonia as the redeemer
was also a strong theme in Crime and Punishment. In the Greek language,
"Sofia", Sonia's real name, means wisdom. Not only did she speak with wisdom
when offering advice, she lived it.
In this respect, Sonia can also be looked to as a Christ figure. She