... , Russia during the 1860's. Raskolnikov devises an absurd theory that extraordinary men or superior individuals are above the law and excused from obeying the law. Contemplating whether or not to test his theory, Raskolnikov decides that Alyona Ivanovna, a wealthy, greedy pawnbroker, deserves to die solely because she takes advantage of the poor by cheating them out of their money, and he ... probing into the state of mind of Raskolnikov, Dostoevsky completely captures the emotional essence of his character. Merejkowski implies that all of Dostoevsky's heroes are "God-tortured." Raskolni...

• Word Count: 1662
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... existence of superior beings that possess the right and the power to transgress moral and written law to ultimately meet their means, eventually drives him to commit the crime and test his theory. After the crime, Raskolnikov is continually tortured by his conscience and realizes that he is not a superior being as he thought but rather a common simpleton - a realization that he ... of the murder and his conscience is riddled with guilt. This "sickness" lasts for several weeks, and is never resolved throughout the novel until he confesses his guilt and his love for Sonia. Raskolnikov com...

• Word Count: 1326
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... existence of superior beings that possess the right and the power to transgress moral and written law to ultimately meet their means, eventually drives him to commit the crime and test his theory. After the crime, Raskolnikov is continually tortured by his conscience and realizes that he is not a superior being as he thought but rather a common simpleton - a realization that he ... of the murder and his conscience is riddled with guilt. This "sickness" lasts for several weeks, and is never resolved throughout the novel until he confesses his guilt and his love for Sonia. Raskolnikov com...

• Word Count: 1258
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate