Crime And Punishment Essay

Topic#1: How are women portrayed in the novel?
In Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s portrayal of characters in the novel is important. Dunya, Sonia, and Katherine are primary examples of women victimized by society. Dostoyevsky’s focus on the hardships of the female characters helps us to understand his view of women. These women are figures of strength and morality in the face of harsh circumstances. Although Dunya, Sonia and Katherine have consistently had problems of their own, they have been able to put any predicament to the side and use their strength to lend a hand to those who need them most.  
Through self-sacrifice and the hardships of a being a poor young woman with a family to support, Sonia has stood strong for the things she believes in and the people she loves. The way she is described, Sonia comes off as frail and meek. These attributes can be seen throughout the novel. After being accused by Luzhin of stealing his money, she did not defend herself nor try to explain the situation. She did not speak up, but “whispered in horror” for something she had truly not done (pg 383). However, when it came to her family and the people she loved, she was there for them one hundred percent. It took the pain of others to bring out the tough side of Sonia. Constantly thinking about Katherine and the kids, Sonia did whatever it took to keep them going. When they needed money, Sonia pushed her morals and beliefs to the side and became a prostitute. Dostoyevsky is a fan of placing his characters in uncomfortable situations. When Raskolnikov finally confessed to Sonia about the murder, she stood by his side: “How strange you are, Sonia. Embracing me and kissing me after I’ve told you that. You don’t know what you’re doing” (pg 399-400). Normally people who commit a crime want someone to hold them and tell them that everything will be alright, not expecting that it will actually happen. Sonia strayed away from the norm. She kept trying to find ways to...