Moral Ambiguity Essay

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Morally ambiguous characters question the validity of black and white. Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment introduces Raskolnikov as a complex character. Readers judge Raskolnikov as purely evil due to his actions of being a murderer. However, readers gradually change their prejudice on Raskolnikov due to his good acts throughout the novel. The central theme of the novel is one must suffer in order for redemption. Raskolnikov commits acts of evil and acts of good. He suffers mentally through his actions which take him along a path towards ultimate repentance. Throughout the novel, the question exists of whether Raskolnikov is morally a good or bad character. Dostoevsky gives many reasons as to why Raskolnikov could be both. Raskolnikov is branded with the title of murder which is an act of pure evil. He murders Aliona and her sister, two women he hardly knew. Further in the novel, Raskolnikov gives his reasoning for killing the rat and its sister. His extraordinary man theory states that Raskolnikov was born with the power above all other man to murder those in order for the greater good of mankind. He puts himself on this pedestal. The acts or murder and his judgment for murder makes the reader unattached to Raskolnikov’s character and labels him as an evil person. Raskolnikov shows his morality of good through many actions throughout the novel. He shows his capacity for compassion with Marmeladov. Through Marmeladov’s suffering and death, Raskolnikov leaves much of his money for the family. He continues to give money to those in need such as the young drunk girl that he saves from the old predator. Raskolnikov shows after he reads his mother’s letter that he cares for his family and has done the evil deed in order for his family. He shows that he does not want Dunia to marry the pompous manipulative Luzhin. Readers grow to become more attached to Raskolnikov’s
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