Accountability and Second Chances 

Garrett Backus

Crime comes in many different forms, theft, assault, speeding and so on. But the worst one that anyone can commit is murder. In the book “Crime and Punishment”, ​Raskonikov the main character murders two women throughout the book, we as the reader get to see why Raskonikov decided to commit this act not once but twice, the reader also gets to see the effects that happen to one who commits this act. Throughout the book Raskonikov meets people who help him change as a person, this is important because it helps him realize what he has done is wrong. The Chapter of John in the King James Bible is related to this very well because of the themes that are shown and represented in John, such as, humility, love and light/darkness. Just because a person commits a horrible crime doesn’t mean they aren’t able to learn from what they have done and become an overall better person, in today’s society we tend to judge people and never give second chances. 

In the book“Crime and Punishment” the main character Raskolnikov is represented to the reader as a man who is very arrogant and only cares about himself. During the book he acts as if he is superior to everybody else that is around him at all times, which is a very ridiculous way to live a life. His poor traits and thoughts end up making him commit murder not only once but twice, he thinks that what he has done is okay. After he has committed the murders he thinks that he has accomplished something that is good but what he was unable to realize is that what he has actually done is a gross and disgusting act that has created nothing but a bad outcome.

After Raskolnikov has committed this crime his journey to humility has officially started. Following the crime he starts to feel the guilt and starts to have severe mental thoughts and feelings. The murder has caused him to have major setbacks and has taken over his life and seems to have put a permanent burden on his life. His ego that he had in the beginning of the book has started to evaporate and he feels powerless and he has finally come to the realization that what he has done and what a poor situation he is in now. When Raskolnikov realizes that what he has done is bad this is his first experience with being woke and helps guide him to embracing the humility of what he has done.

When the character Sonia gets introduced to the reader, she gets represented to us as a young woman who has gone into prostitution in order to support and keep her poor family from falling into the cracks. One may see this as a gross thing and say “why not get another job” but the reader should really see this as Sonia is someone who embarraces her humility and doesnt try to hide. Even though Sonia is in a poor environment this doesn’t stop her from staying on the right path with her religion. She is able to do what Raskolnikov struggles to do.

Sonia and Raskolnikov finally cross paths and are introduced to each other. Raskolnikov doesnt know this but this is going to help save him. Sonia is able to become a leader and mentor for Raskolnikov. She is able to counter all of his traits and push them to the side inorder to get to his mind and heart. They have many interactions and due to this Raskolnikov is able to get exposed to the power of humility. Raskolnikov finally being around the actions of Raskolnikov makes it so he is able to finally face the challenges that he has been dealing with. 

Part five, chapter four is one of the most important scenes of the book. This scene shows that Raskolnikov has embarrassed his humility fully. During this scene Raskolnikov tells Sonia what he has done and comes clean to her. He is able to acknowledge that what he has done is wrong. This puts Raskolnikov in a very vulnerable spot where a lot of different things can happen, but this shows that he cares. A quote that is powerful is “Nonsense! I simply killed—killed for myself, for myself alone” (Part five, chapter four). This is powerful because it shows that Raskolnikov is finally taking accountability for his actions and isn’t trying to use any excuses. 

Humility is also shown in the King James Bible chapter of John. John is a disciple. John was a man who was known very well by people. People liked him and listened to him, they wanted to follow in his footsteps. John liked how people listened to him and he would use this to his advantage to spread Jesus on everyone. John had a goal and that goal was to spread the light of Jesus to everyone around him. He always made it known to people that he loves and believed in Jesus and lives by his rules and opinions. John says “ He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

By John saying this, this shows that he has a true love for jesus. This is a prime example of humility. John shows nothing but humbleness in this. He has the opportunity to be followed by many people and all he wants to do is turn them to Jesus because he knows and thinks he isn’t as good as him.

In “Crime and Punishment” the theme of love is shown and also expressed in many ways but in a very complex way. But the main way that love is shown is through the human characters in the book. Specifically through the characters Raskolnikov and Sonia. 

Love is brought into the book when Raskolnikov is going through his tough transformation after committing the murder. As a reader you would have never seen this coming from a man like Raskolnikov since he is a very rude, troubled, isolated and self consumed person. But everyone is able to change the ways that they act no matter how bad it is. When Sonia makes an appearance in his life is the beginning of the trait changes for Raskolnikov.

Sonia has a love for Raskolnikov that is shown to us as selfless and also unconditional, a strong love. As said earlier Sonia has many issues that she has to deal with such as keeping her family afloat financially and mentally. Even though she is going through this she is able to still show empathy and true compassion for Raskolnikov. She takes on the job of being there for Raskolnikov, she is there for emotional support, guidance and also helps him tackle his issues with dealing with his crime. Someone might ask themselves, why would she help this horrible man, it’s because she sees something good in him.

In the same sort of way Raskolnikov starts to have feelings towards Sonia. This is another example of love in the book. Raskolnikov’s love that he has developed for Sonia is in a romantic and emotional way. He develops these feelings and ideas towards her during the course of when Sonia was helping him get out of the bad state of mind he was in. This is another good sign for Raskolnikov as it shows the reader that he is opening up more and starting to spread his wings. 

Another example of love that is shown in the book is the relationship that Raskolnikov has with his mother. Although the relationship that they have with each other isn’t the healthiest due to the distance and the mindset that Raskolnikov was in, it was still positive and loving. Raskolnikov’s mom would send him letters and this shows that she has a love for him and wants him to feel the love from her even though they aren’t seeing each other.

A key example of love being shown with Raskolnikov and Sonia is when Raskolnikov decides to go visit Sonias apartment (Part four, Chapter four).  Raskolnikov opens up to Sonia about his guilt and his acts, this is a hard thing for him to do but he knows that he must do it. Instead of kicking Raskolnikov to the curb and never talking to him again, which Sonia has the right to do, Sonia decides to listen to Raskolnikov and hear what he has to say. Sonia opens up her arms for him and decides that she will still continue to help him through his struggles. This shows the true unconditional love that Sonia has for Raskolnikov. 

In the book of John, John is able to spread and show an accurate and truthful meaning of what love is. Throughout the chapter we get to see how good of a person and disciple John is. John takes what he does very seriously. 

A key example of love being shown in the book of John is when he talks about God and his love for all of the people on earth. John says “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This shows that God’s love is a motivation for everyone and he’s using Jesus as a source so that everyone can feel the love from him. This relates to “Crime and Punishment” perfectly. Sonia is the savior that was put in Raskolnikov’s life, in order to give him the love that he needs.  

Lastly I want to talk about the light and darkness throughout this story. Raskolnikov has been through a lot. He has done horrible things, but he has made the progression into becoming a better man. This is not an easy thing to do. He had to throw away his ego and illogical ideas. Raskolnikov was thrown into a  dark place because of his actions. He became an isolated and mentally unstable person, he would often get hallucinations that would cause him to go crazy.

Then a bright light came into his life, a guardian angel of a human. Sonia is the main reason Raskolnikov was able to change and start to have a much healthier life. The mentorship that she was able to do for Raskolnikov saved his life. Raskolnikov got saved by God for a reason because God gives second chances and Raskolnikov was able to take advantage of that. Sonia had an experience with light and darkness. Sonia was in a dark place with low funds for her family and also being a prostitute. Raskolnikov is her light. Sonia finds joy in helping out Raskolnikov, she starts off as a leader and mentor for him but later becomes a great friend that she loves dearly.  

Darkness was foreshadowed perfectly when in the opening pages of the book Raskolnikov was sitting in a small cramped apartment, isolated and the only light that was in the apartment was from a small candle that was lit. The book starts off dark and ends in light.  

Light and darkness is also expressed in the gospel of John in a very unique way. It says “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:19-21). In this quote, Jesus explains that the world has a strangely high opinion on the rejection of light, which is rejecting Christ. This is due to peoples love for darkness, darkness as in sin and being immoral. But those who decide to block out the light will be sinful and try to hide their mistakes. But if you accept the light and embrace it then you will be in the front seat on a ride to happiness and God’s love.  

At the end of the day a person messes up. Some mess up more and worse than others but people should be given second chances. Raskolnikov was given a second chance and was able to take advantage of it and become a better person. Yes, what he did was a horrible act and he should suffer the consequences, but unfortunately he was able to get away from any trouble. But at least he is not out killing more and more people, instead he went through and still is going through the tough process of becoming an overall better person. 

Sources 

King James Bible 

Crime and Punishment

Tamny, J. (2024, January 15). Another new look at Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “crime and punishment.” Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/2024/01/11/another-new-look-at-fyodor-dostoevskys-crime-and-punishment/?sh=3b009b08611f 

Sheehan, D. (2020, October 31). Dostoevsky and memory eternal: An orthodfox approach to “The brothers Karamazov.”Another City. https://anothercity.org/dostoevsky-and-memory-eternal-an-eastern-orthodox-approach-to-the-brothers-karamazov/ 


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