Use of Religion as Solace

As Mentioned in a previous post, Dostoevsky was a deeply christian man. This comes through as an underlying theme in the novel, with most characters possessing fervent faith. This leads to the character's sometimes unreasonable actions and foolish behaviour ("Holy Fools" [Doestoevsky, 324], as Raskolnikov calls them, even though he claims to "literally believe...in the raising of Lazarus" [Dostoevsky, 261]). For example, at the time of Marmeladov's death in his wretched hovel, surrounded by his filthy, sick family, the doctor firmly insists there is nothing that can be done and leaves Marmeladov to die. Before he leaves, however, he ensures there is a priest present to conduct final ceremonies for Marmeladov. The characters in Crime and Punishment use religion as a falling ground for thier weakness, and the fact it is an organized religion allows for a sense of belonging amoung its followers (nearly every character in the novel, with a few in particular). Another example of this use of this reliance on religion is the character of Sonya. Her unwavering faith is something Raskolnikov (the protagonist) admires, but at the same time holds almost a contempt towards. When he reminds her of the reality and gravity of her situation, she irrationally falls back on religion. For example, when Raskolnikov explains to her that her siblings will become beggars and prostitutes when her mother dies (which will be soon), she refuses to believe it, repeating that "God won't allow it!" (Dostoevsky 320). She genuinely beleives that god can save her siblings from their fate, and her from hers, to which Raskolnikov spitefully responds that "maybe there isn't any god" (Doestoevsky, 321). This encounter ends with Sonya famously handing Raskolnikov her cross she wears around her neck, which he takes. This now causes him to feel as though he must answer to god, and is a major shift in his evolution as a character. His actions of evasion and deception now become those of guilt and morality. (Pardon the pun) He feels as though he must be punished for his crime.

If one knows anything about the circumstances of Crime and Punishment (19th century Tzarist Russia), one would know that the class gap was quite large- with the rich being quite rich and most being quite poor. This is frequently noticed throughout the novel, with characters often being described as having little or no money, and living in filthy excuses for homes. The only ones that seem to be rich are government "officals", such as Pytor Petrovich (Raskolnikov's sister's fiancee). The circumstances of these characters truly is something to be pitied, and due to the relative lack of scientific discovery at the time, it is understandable that these characters would cling to thier faith and look to divine figures for aid. Their prayers, though, often go unanswered, leaving poverty, death, and sickness.

The ultimate religious theme, though, is Raskolnikov's faith versus his political ideals (his belief that some individuals are superior and have the right to 'remove' degenerates from society), His almost nihlistic behaviour versus the christian morals he once followed. The resulting internal struggle (as is such a prominent theme in the novel) due to Raskolnikov's conflict of belief is an interesting concept to behold.