The opening chapter reveals the most important aspects in Raskolnikoff's character as proud person who is emotionally detached from the rest of humanity. The social environment in which Raskolnikoff was living has clearly helped in the formation of his character. Raskolnikoff's pride and intellectualism lead him to disdain the rest of humanity. Raskolnikoff's alienation from society leads him to increasingly abstract inhuman ideas. He started to think about himself as superior person and the others as inferiors. He believes himself to be part of an elite "superman" who can transgress moral standards for higher purposes.
Raskolnikoff's gift of money to the Marmeladovs seems to reflect the awaking of the awaking of his compassionate side. But his pride extinguishes this sentiment almost as soon as it appears "they would be in great straits tomorrow without the money of mine" In fact this scene reflects the real psychological status in which Raskolnikoff was living. He can not take a serious decision and his pride stands as the main obstacle in his life. .
In fact, Raskolnikoff's determination to kill the pawnbroker results from a chance discovery of a prime opportunity to commit it {when he hears by chance Lizaveta telling her sister that she will be out of the house next day at seven}. Since he believes that he is superior to other human beings it is only natural for Raskolnikoff to feel that circumstances should conspire to make his crime more easily accomplished and this belief in coincidences is taken to be as sign of Raskolnikoff's pride. .