Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin is a main character in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel Crime and Punishment, and is quite the villain. He is also the foil, or opposing character, to the protagonist Raskolnikov. Luzhin is selfish and has it out for women.
Who is the antagonist in Crime and Punishment?
Porfiry Petrovich has a shrewd understanding of criminal psychology and is exquisitely aware of Raskolnikov’s mental state at every step along the way from the crime to the confession. He is Raskolnikov’s primary antagonist, and, though he appears only occasionally in the novel, his presence is constantly felt.
Is Raskolnikov a villain?
Raskolnikov antagonizes Svidrigaïlov and Luzhin. He certainly acts as an antagonist toward Alyona the pawnbroker and Lizaveta—though, in the case of Lizaveta, he wants to help her but ends up hurting her. He’s mean and scary, but he’s not a character that inspires hatred in us.
Is Raskolnikov good or evil?
Raskolnikov knows that he possesses no evil will , and so he does not consider himself a criminal. He is capable of justifying his crime. He murdered a pawnbroker that was of no use to society and wanted to use her money to improve his life and career.
How is svidrigailov a villain?
Svidrigailov is perhaps the most nefarious character in Crime and Punishment. He is a cheater, abuser, pedophile , and perhaps even a murderer; one person even ends her own life after he violates her. Even though he is consumed with guilt and dies by suicide, Svidrigailov never faces justice.
Why does Dunya marry Luzhin?
Dunya has apparently decided to sacrifice her own happiness by marrying Luzhin for his money, so that her brother can continue his university studies. Luzhin has offered to marry her, because Luzhin wants a wife who has suffered poverty , and who has no dowry, so that he will not be under any obligation to her.
Does Raskolnikov feel guilt?
Rodion Raskolnikov chooses to suffer for his guilt . He believes that he can overcome this feeling on his own. ... He pushes everyone away and seeks isolation from the world so he can suffer alone. Only when he confesses and recognizes his love in the embrace of Sonya does he begin to heal.
What is Raskolnikov’s full name?
Rodion Raskolnikov, fictional character who is the protagonist of the novel Crime and Punishment (1866) by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. An impoverished student who murders a pawnbroker and her stepsister, Raskolnikov embodies the author’s belief that salvation is possible only through atonement.
Is Raskolnikov a psychopath?
It’s easy to dismiss Raskolnikov as a psychopath , but this is not an insight: it is an admission of failure to understand his psychology. Beneath the silence, the battle within Raskolnikov’s mind rages on, though his dejection and his nearness to confession mark its final stages.
Why Raskolnikov is a good person?
Raskolnikov’s true self struggles against the immorality of being ‘extraordinary’. He is a loving son and good friend . From this comes his acts of kindness and great love for others. Twice, he helps out the family of Semyon Marmeladov.
Is Raskolnikov religious?
As a product of his time, Raskolnikov lives immersed in Russian Orthodox faith , but as a young intellectual, his religious beliefs are tested.
What is the most striking thing about Raskolnikov?
Perhaps the most striking feature of Raskolnikov, however, is his dual personality . On the one hand, he is cold, apathetic, and antisocial; on the other, he can be surprisingly warm and compassionate. He commits murder as well as acts of impulsive charity.
What is the main theme of Crime and Punishment?
Alienation from Society
Alienation is the primary theme of Crime and Punishment. At first, Raskolnikov’s pride separates him from society. He sees himself as superior to all other people and so cannot relate to anyone. Within his personal philosophy, he sees other people as tools and uses them for his own ends.
Why does Raskolnikov confess his crime?
He tells her that he will confess , and she urges him to do so, arguing that it will help atone for his crime. ... He argues that he only killed a “louse,” and that if he had succeeded in profiting from his crime and doing some good by it, he would have nothing of which to be ashamed.
Why does svidrigailov let Dunya go?
Svidrigailov does not rush Dunya; instead, he gives her all the time she needs in order to reload the pistol. He is willing to let Dunya kill him . ... Svidrigailov feels that this is a good sign. He takes her in his arms and asks her if she can love him.
Why does Porfiry urge Raskolnikov to confess?
Raskolnikov, Porfiry claims, is the true murderer. ... He is sympathetic to Raskolnikov , he says, and urges him to confess. He claims that he has proof of Raskolnikov’s guilt and that Raskolnikov would look better in the eyes of the judge if he confessed before the evidence was produced.
