Crime and Punishment, Dostoyevsky - Justifying the appeal for clemency for Raskolnikov

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Crime and Punishment, Dostoyevsky Justifying the appeal for clemency for Raskolnikov We are spectators of a phenomenon that triggered a change, a shift in the continuum of humanity. The dual aspect of this phenomenon is manifested in the lifeless corpses of Alyona Ivanovna and Lizaveta Ivanovna and the live cognizant being of Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikov. The finite, physical and irrevocable reflection of the occurrence, presented to the court in the form of the distinct testimony of the defendant and the evidence, comes down to these facts: A man prepares a means to convey his weapon, and a ruse to mollify the victim’s suspicions. He procures a weapon and makes his way, inconspicuously, as rehearsed, to the victim’s apartment. On entering the apartment and distracting his victim he attacks, as planned. He proceeds to continue with his intention to rob the dead victim. Then he hears someone enter; he pauses, grabs the weapon and kills his second victim, unplanned, yet necessary in the particular turn of events. He lingers. Again he hears people and traps himself in the apartment; now, any possible escape is utterly up to chance, predestined or fluke. The impossible happens; he escapes and walks
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away unnoticed. Catabolically viewed, the basic events reflect the greater part of contemporary murders. However, Raskolnikov’s individual mind and personality is the defining feature that does not permit his classification with the rest of the world’s perpetrators.  He attained a temporary pathological state as a result of his response to traumatic experiences over a period of time. Therefore, we are forced to ignore the assumed, predictable interaction between actions and conscience and examine, further, the psychological state of the individual who survived this ordeal. Raskolnikov’s character preceding the manifestations of his psychological disorder is evident through his relationships. He was ...

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