Thursday, February 18, 2016

Alex Discussion and Essay Question

1. What is Raskolnikov’s motive for killing the pawnbroker?

Raskolnivok’s thought throughout the book is explained in the third part of the book, when Porfiry and Raskolnikov have a conversation on his theory about humanity. The latter has the theory that in order to survive, humanity needs special people that push it forward, from an ideological, physical, and moral perspective in many different points on its history. Like Napoleon once did, or like Marx did on the past. In order to be a part of this group of people, like Rodya thinks he actually is, he needs to prove that he is not only capable to take such daring decisions, but also to avoid any remorse that the decision could cause as fallout. The murder of the pawnbroker was to Raskolnikov nothing short than an act of boldness to prove to himself that he has the potential and ability to push humanity forward. The theory ends in the appliance of human law being not applicable towards these type of human beings, including the non-legal ones that reign over us. Apart from the law, which Raskolnikov avoids always, he tries to be devoid of any human emotions and ideas that distinguish normal from extraordinary people. His constant fight with himself and his guilt isn´t a sole battle on paper about if what he did was for justice, but also a constant fight for his self-proclaimed status as leader of the human race. 

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