Length: 646 words (2.3 pages)
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Seeking Atonement in Crime and Punishment   Raskolnikov, the protagonist of Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment was a complicated man who committed a crime. Raskolnikov murdered a woman who was a plague to mankind, especially the poor of Russia. In the chilling process however, he also murdered her younger sister, Lisaveta. To be purified, he drives himself through much agony. Not until the closing of the novel did he realize he must confess to be atoned and to find love.

Consciously, Raskolnikov was averse to admitting his misdeed. He rationalized himself by asserting that the ends justify the means. Alyona's malignant nature, extremified by her outward appearance, and effect on the base community depending on and surrounding her. Her sole use for the profits were to upkeep continuous prayers in her horrible name. Although Raskolnikov excused himself this way, the true and conscious reason was only to test his power and ideologies about criminal psychology and the "superman". In his theory, to be above the law one cannot be discovered because to be punished would be to subject to the consequences of one's actions and to submit to the law. Raskolnikov believed that if he was to confess, he would be as one of the masses that sway in his theories.

Unconscious confession from Raskolnikov was a constant throughout the novel, even prior to his actual crime. After all his hypotheses about the childlike thought patterns of criminals before, after, and during the crime, Raskolnikov would have been astounded as an onlooker to see how incomplete his plans were. Luck of the draw got him information and the perfect time frame to complete the deed, but he left unreasonably late, arriving a half hour past the set time when Lisaveta would not be at home. After he killed Alyona, Raskolnikov fumbled with her keys, slipped in blood, and panicked until Lisaveta arrived, and he had to slay her too. He locked the door incorrectly when the two men were outside Alyona's room. He ran to his room where he fell asleep without hiding anything, locking the door, or cleaning off the blood. All the errors in judgement and planning seemed to evidence that his mind already wanted the crime to be exposed before it was even committed.

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After the crime, Raskolnikov's involuntary confessions grew more and more conspicuous. Even without tangible evidence, Porifery could sense Raskolnikov's guilt. Raskolnikov faints at the police station. He was delirious for days from a fever and disturbed to being deranged afterward. He held his bloody rags in his hands. He even told Zametov outright and with exacting details how he "would have" committed the murder of Alyona. Raskolnikov became visibly excited when people spoke of the murder. Soon, Raskolnikov was already thinking consciously of confessing and took no interest in anything aside from the murder.

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Throughout that time of torment, Raskolnikov avoided confession through suffering. He dwelt in his physical sickness, keeping silent in delirium. His refusal to eat prolonged his illness, and his dreams tortured him further. He was fascinated by martyr spirits like Dounia, Katerina, and especially Sonya who all sacrificed themselves for others. Sonya was a Christ-like figure, lowering herself to save her family. Raskolnikov tried to increase his valor by being overly generous with his money, but it did not ease his burden. The painter who confessed to Porifery also had extreme ideas about suffering. Finally, Raskolnikov confessed to Sonya, thereby beginning the healing process. To truly be renewed, however, he had to forget his superman theories and submit to the law.

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Raskolnikov was sent to Siberia after conceding to Porifery. It took time even then for him to realize that a forgiving person like Sonya could love him after he'd repented. Though he tried to save himself by suffering and rationalization, he at long last grasped his need for forgiveness and confession. Raskolnikov was reborn.