Comparative characteristics of Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov: differences and similarities

Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov are the heroes of the psychological novel of FM Dostoyevsky. They are called spiritual twins. There really is a similarity between these characters. Comparative characteristics of Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov are the subject of many critical articles. What did the author of the famous novel see as a similarity between these seemingly completely different personalities?

Eyes - a mirror of the soul

The main principle that guided Dostoevsky in his work was reliability. Raskolnikov is a collective image of students-raznochintsy 60's. The protagonist of the novel is extremely poor, lives in a small little room, poorly dressed and even starving. The appearance of Svidrigailov, on the contrary, indicates that this person is not accustomed to deny himself anything.

It should be said that the great Russian writer paid great attention to the description of the hero's eyes. In Raskolnikov they are "beautiful and dark." Svidrigailov's eyes are cold and staring. But, in order not to run ahead, it is worth saying a few words about these characters. The comparative characteristic of Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov presupposes a preliminary analysis of each of these heroes.

Raskolnikov

This person is unselfish. He has a discernment that allows people to guess, to see how sincere they are. But the main thing is that he is a generous dreamer and an idealist. Rodion Romanovich longs to make the whole of mankind happy. To the best of its ability, it helps the poor and disadvantaged, but its capabilities are, as you know, too insignificant. In the name of a high goal, he goes on a crime.

Svidrigailov

At first glance, this hero is the opposite of the main thing. He lives for his own pleasure. On his conscience, the lives of two people, and perhaps this person has to do with the death of his wife. To Raskolnikov, strangely enough, he is experiencing something that looks like sympathy. "Maybe we'll get closer," he says to him in one of his first meetings. The comparative characteristic of Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov allows us to determine the similarities between them, and what are the differences.

Similarities

They are both criminals. Comparative characteristics of Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov indicate, first of all, involvement in the murder. The raznochinets kill the interest-holder and her younger sister. On the conscience of a nobleman is a suicidal servant, the death of a fourteen-year-old girl, the murder of his wife. His fault in all these crimes is not proved, he walks loose, and at the beginning of the work the impression is created that this will always be so. Nevertheless, he is a murderer, just like the idealist Raskolnikov.

Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov refer to "the right to have". Comparative characteristics reveal their common positions regarding their role in society. According to the theory of Raskolnikov, there are people from whom in the world depends, if not all, then much. Their units. The rest are a gray, faceless mass. And the student does not want to relate to the second category. His worldview is formed, above all, under the influence of the cult of Napoleon. And referring himself to the category of strong personalities, he gives himself the right to decide the destinies of other people.

Svidrigailov's actions are not based on the philosophy of "superman", an example of which can serve as a great commander. His world view is quite primitive. The power intoxicates him, and committed crimes give strength to a certain moment.

The comparison of these two characters leads to the definition of another similar feature in the fate of these heroes. Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov commit crimes, but none of them remains unpunished. The student is unbearably suffering after the murder. Svidrigailov commits suicide.

Differences

The motives of the crimes that these heroes commit are completely different. The main difference is clearly described by the description of the images. Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov are criminals. But if the first one commits a murder for the sake of a high goal (which, of course, does not justify it), then the latter does not even think about the consequences. Svidrigailov is only interested in the satisfaction of the momentary desire.

The mental state of Raskolnikov after the atrocity committed is close to insanity. Svidrigailov, on the other hand, is a sensible person, and he loses judgment only when he strives for his goal. Hence the main difference between criminals - a fine line between good and evil, Raskolnikov could not be crossed, while his antipode-double has long been beyond the moral and ethical standards.

Having created such a vivid opposition in the novel, F. Dostoyevsky seems to point to two ways that a person who takes life from another can have. The offender, committing a murder, thereby experiencing spiritual death. And only the repentance and confession of guilt can revive him.