Trace the psychological progress of Raskolnikov's mind from the planning stages of the murder through the final realization of love. Raskolnikov fights a constant battle with himself in the beginning of the novel, debating on killing the old lady for her possessions. Eventually, after deciding to undergo his original plan to murder, Raskolnikov's mind faces a series of stages in progression from the murder to his realization of love. Essentially, Raskolnikov puts his life of solitude upon himself; he has instilled the idea that he is above others and the law. Raskolnikov commits the murder for one main reason: to affirm his idea that he is greater than others, the laws, and life itself. Afterward, he denies himself the notion that he is guilty because of his need to feel superiority. Raskolnikov's insanity and apprehension only perpetuates as the story continues as he debates confession as much as he debated the murder itself. .
At the end of the story, Raskolnikov confesses for the murder, goes to prison in Siberia, and realizes that surrender to true love and equality finally puts his mind at peace and ease. In closing, Raskolnikov experiences a paradigm shift upon himself and the world by looking at himself as an equal rather than a superior to life and to others. It is at this moment that Raskolnikov is able to enter himself back into society and sanity by realizing his love for Sonia. .
Delineate the superior man argument and evaluate Raskolnikov by the theory.
Raskolnikov's theory upon the existence of two separate types of man - the ordinary and the "extraordinary" – is quite egotistical and arbitrary. He argues that the intellectually "superior" or "extraordinary," including himself, have the right to kill as long as the deed ultimately serves beneficial to the world and the people around the victim. Raskolnikov, a narcissist himself, obviously fits under his allotment of the intellectually "extraordinary," and thus, gives him the motive and the justification to carry out the plan to kill the pawnbroker.
