Crime & Punishment Dualities Contrast Essay

There is a certain duality in the novel even concerning the concept of morality itself. It is somewhat ironic that, although Dostoevsky seems to suggest that a pure faith is more useful than a muddied philosophy, he uses Crime and Punishment to elucidate his own philosophy of morality through the various contrasting events in the novel that explore the topic. Morality seems to be determined by motive far more than action; even the original murder of Alyona Ivanovna is displayed as somewhat acceptable; it is motivated by productive intentions and carried out purposefully. But "fear gained more and more mastery" over Raskolnikov after the "second, quite unexpected murder" (Dostoevsky I.7). This murder is even more immoral because it has no purpose beyond simply concealing the first murder. It is unplanned and unreasoned, and that is one of the main reasons it is the more immoral of the murders.

Another very important contrast in the novel is that between solitude and interpersonal connections. As with most of the other juxtapositions, dualities, and contrasts in the novel, this is shown most clearly in the character of Raskolnikov. He vacillates between attempting to communicate and build relationships with some of the other characters he encounters, and shutting himself off -- either purposefully or indirectly through his psychologically induced fever and illness -- from the outside world, wallowing in his own sense of guilt and misery.Just as with the contrast between religion and philosophy, Dostoevsky is suggesting that our relationships with others and even a sense of community are necessary not just for happiness and fulfillment, but for life itself. One passage illustrates this completely; towards the end of the novel, Raskolnikov descends into a "dreary solitude" from which he eventually emerges confused and uncertain, and piecing this period together later "he learnt a great deal about himself from what other people told him," showing how necessary others are in his life (Dostoevsky VI.1).

A final more subtle yet very important contrast in Crime and Punishment is that between knowledge and ignorance. When Raskolnikov goes to the police station, for instance, he sees some clerks who "obviously had no notion of who or what Raskolnikov might be" (Dostoevsky IV.5). There is a sense of empowerment Raskolnikov feels when he knows something others don't, and he also respects those who suspect him while looking down on those who don't know him. Given the ultimate feel of the novel, Dostoevsky's intent in displaying this contrast is most likely to explore the pointless hubris that often attends….....