Raskolnikov Character Analysis Essay

Raskolnikov is the main character of the book and for the most part, it is read from his point of view. His name is drawn from the Russian word raskol in which stands for “split” supporting the idea of his dual personality. His qualities share a brutal and selfish side in addition to a thoughtful, kind side. In the novel, Raskolnikov’s dream about the horse allows the reader to examine more deeply into his personality. It also enables us to group him into numerous elements of it. Not only does he symbolize the little boy in his dream but as well as Mikolka. The absurd beating of the horse by Mikolka corresponds to the vicious attack of the pawnbroker by Rodion. On the other hand, his compassionate attribute is shown through the little boy in the dream where young Raskolnikov “made his way, screaming, through the crowd to the sorrel nag, put his arms round her bleeding dead head and kissed …show more content…
His kindhearted side seeks to save her from harm on the streets. Then “something seemed to sting Raskolnikov” and “in an instant a complete revulsion of feeling came over him” (page 41). His callous disregard for the girl pushed through when he was repelled by how evil society can be. He chooses to leave her by herself and yells at the police to “let them be” and to “let him amuse himself” (page 41). This part in the novel illustrates how quickly Raskolnikov goes from one component of his persona to another. From a readers perspective, I personally enjoy how Dostoyevsky casted Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment. Giving him two opposing personalities forces us to find a way to view him as a single running human being. To conclude, Raskolnikov can be seen as more than one character throughout the novel. He constantly changes his way of thinking from good to bad permitting us to see his true