Crime and Punishment, Dostoyevsky - Justifying the appeal for clemency for Raskolnikov
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
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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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 a son and a brother; after the demise of his father, he consisted of all the hopes and aspirations of his mother and sister. They sacrificed their comfort to fund his education. His close friendship with Razumikhin is again evidence of a condition different from the callous mercenary he is portrayed as now. Over the one and a half years that Razumikhin knew Rodya, he had recognized his kind and magnanimous character. He also recognized the sudden change in Raskolnikov. He noticed the dual personality that seemed to manifest itself in Raskolnikov. He noted the depression, the cold aloofness, however failed to identify that with the Raskolnikov he knew. Strangers themselves wouldn’t meet a more benevolent character. Witnesses have testified to his spontaneous, consistent acts of generosity and compassion. Raskolnikov, who carried the axe into the pawnbroker’s apartment, is the same person who used his last resources to support a poverty stricken consumptive and his invalid father. Raskolnikov, who struck repeatedly the head of an old helpless crone, is the same person who scorched himself by rescuing two small children from a devastating fire. Raskolnikov who walked away nonchalantly from the scene of the murders is the same person who spent the last of his money to get a poor, useless drunk home before he took his last breath. These contradictory circumstances only go to prove that Raskolnikov committed the murders in a pathological state of obsessive-compulsiveness, completely unaware of his actions and their consequences. His predisposition to obsessiveness is obvious through his compulsive study habits. As in many psychological conditions, trauma triggered Raskolnikov’s obsessive compulsiveness. The death of his fiancé, the state of destitution that kept him from studying, the pressure he felt from his mother, the guilt he felt for allowing his sister to sacrifice her life for him affected him deeply. Symptoms of depression and anxiety surfaced. He gave up any effort to work or eat regularly. His isolation from society was witnessed by Natasia, who testified his habit of secluding himself for hours in the darkness and silence of his room. Rumikhin noticed the inhumanity that began to reveal itself. Dr. Zosimov, Inspector Porfiry and psychiatrists diagnosed his depression and his preoccupation with death and murder. His discussion with the inspector about his article proved the existence of irrational, but compelling ideas about crime that Raskolnikov was taken up with. His poverty, depression and anxiety drove him to dwell in the idea that murdering the pawn broker might offer relief and renewal to his life. Most importantly, Raskolnikov was not aware of his actions during the murders. Several physical clues attest this fact. First, he leaves the front door gaping open during the murders. He performs a cursory and insufficient search for money, if robbery was his main motive. Further, Raskolnikov isn’t even aware of items he’d stolen or of the money in the purse; neither does he use any of the stolen money. Instead, he gives away the last of his own money to Marmeladov’s widow and children. Further his confession proves his integrity. His confession is not only accurate and firm; it contains no distortions to influence the verdict in his favor. Also, he confessed at a time when there were no officially recorded suspicions against him, and another suspect had voluntarily confessed to the murders. The timing of his confession, when he could have easily forgone any responsibility for his actions, confirms that the murders were only a result of a mental instability, temporary and induced by trauma. One thing is certain; time cannot be reversed. We cannot return to a time when an irate, parsimonious crone reigned in her apartment, cheating clients of deserved prices, and abusing Lizaveta, her own blood, mentally and physically. We cannot return to the time when an impoverished youth wandered the streets of Petersburg, fighting, unawares, a dormant mental illness, berating the worth of his life and his place in the world. However, now, we have a man, who will probably never pick up a weapon again, but, who might still have a life to live, who might still contribute something to humanity. Locking him up forever would only make him crawl back into the dark recesses of his mind, bringing out a horror that is unimaginable today. What Raskolnikov needs is some air to breathe, a reason to endure, and a second chance.