The image of Svidrigailov in the novel "Crime and Punishment". Characteristics of the image

The image of Svidrigailov in the novel "Crime and Punishment" will be considered in this article. This character in the work is the second spiritual "double" of Rodion Raskolnikov (the first - the failed fiancé of his sister). The image of Luzhin and Svidrigailov in the novel "Crime and Punishment" unites the principle of permissiveness.

Externally, in the opinion of the character of interest to us, they are with Rodion "one field berries". However, between Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov there are very significant internal differences. The second is a depraved, vicious man. He does not hide the fact that most of the deeds committed by him were made as a result of pathological lust. The image of Svidrigailov in the novel "Crime and Punishment" can be supplemented by a number of other features.

Svidrigailov's attitude to good and evil

This character is sneering at morality. Svidrigailov admits to Raskolnikov that he is a "sinful person." The judgments of this hero about people, especially women, are deeply cynical. Equally indifferent to Svidrigailov's good and evil. He is able to perform as good deeds (for example, helps the children of Katerina Ivanovna and Sonya), and bad, with no apparent reason. Svidrigailov does not believe in the so-called "virtue", believing that any talk about it is hypocritical. This, in his opinion, is only an attempt to deceive others and himself.

Frankness with Raskolnikov

Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov are deliberately frank, even find pleasure in "staring" and "bared" (expressions from the story "Bobok" Dostoevsky), telling Rodion about the most shameful facts of his own biography. For example, he informs him that he was a cheater, and also that he was "beaten", about how Martha Petrovna, having bargained for purchase, bought him for 30 thousand pieces of silver, and also about love affairs.

The idleness in which the hero lives

The image of Svidrigailov in the novel "Crime and Punishment" can be characterized as follows: it is inherent in absolute idleness. Brief biography of the character is as follows. He is a nobleman who served in the cavalry for two years, after which he "wandered" in Petersburg, and then married Martha Petrovna and lived with his wife in the village. For him, debauchery is the surrogate of the meaning of life, more or less the true thing, unique in this world, which he values. Svidrigailov argues that in lust there is at least something "permanent", based on nature. For this character, debauchery is the main occupation. Svidrigailov said that without this, perhaps, he would have shot himself. This is the image of Svidrigailov in the novel "Crime and Punishment", a brief description of his life and work.

Mysteriousness of Svidrigailov

This character is a mysterious person. He is very cunning and secretive, and also very smart, despite the buffoonery. Raskolnikov Svidrigailov it seems that "the most insignificant" and "hollow" villain in the world, then someone who can open something new to Rodion. Arkady Ivanovich suggests that they are similar in something to the main character. However, the latter does not believe that there is a common ground between them. In addition, Svidrigailov was unpleasant to him, since he was lying and cunning, perhaps very angry.

"Demonic Halo" by Svidrigailov

To many, this hero seems like a terrible villain, who is surrounded by an evil aura. There are many rumors about his bad deeds. The image of Svidrigailov in the novel "Crime and Punishment" becomes a symbol of the source of unhappiness for the surrounding people. Dunya was persecuted precisely because of this hero, he is also accused of the death of his wife, Martha Petrovna. Fear and disgust causes Svidrigailov in many people. About him says Dunya "almost with shudder." Even the appearance of this character, his custom of pastime and manner of holding on are "demonic": a mask that looks like a "strange" person, mysterious behavior, "hypocrisy", addiction to "cloacas" and cheating.

Svidrigailov is an ordinary person

However, not so terrible is the image of Svidrigailov in the novel "Crime and Punishment". The summary of the work (or better - reading the novel itself) will help you to make sure of it. Under the "demonic" mask lies the most ordinary person. Svidrigailov can not free himself from natural and simple human feelings. In it you can guess the fear of pity, love, death. It is even possible that Arkady Ivanovich's love for Dunya could contribute to his moral transformation, if it were mutual. This person experiences even something like remorse. He dreams of nightmares, are ghosts from a past life.

Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov: similarities and differences

It is no accident that Svidrigailov compares himself with Rodion. He, like Raskolnikov, does not believe that the criminal can morally be reborn, that Rodion will be able to find in himself "the strength to stop." Svidrigailov thinks again about him shortly before his death. He believes that Rodion could become a "big rascal" over time, but for now "too much he wants to live." Svidrigailov - this is a hero, going to the end of the crime, committing suicide.

Raskolnikov, therefore, is significantly different from him. The image of the heroes in the novel "Crime and Punishment", as we have already noted, has only superficial similarity. Raskolnikov is able, according to Porfiry Petrovich, "to rise to a new life."

Rodion does not commit suicide, which proves: life has not lost its meaning, even if the hero himself thinks otherwise. Raskolnikov does not die a moral feeling, although he tries to "cross him" through him. Rodion can not pass by human suffering. This proves the episode with the girl on the boulevard, with the sick student and his father, Marmeladov's help, rescue during the children's fire. In this unintended, spontaneous, but quite obvious "altruism," there is a fundamental difference between him and Svidrigailov. However, the very fact of the closeness of Rodion's ideas to the outlook of his "doubles" (the image of Luzhin and Svidrigailov in the novel "Crime and Punishment") confirms that he is on the wrong track.