Connecting to Crime and Punishment

Dostoevsky’s novel Crime and Punishment, displays the transformation of a seemingly extraordinary character, Raskolnikov. Throughout the book, Raskolnikov fights to settle as an ordinary person. He convinces himself that he is more intelligent and generally better than the average human. Raskolnikov’s attitude may be traced back to my big question: in a culture where media and other people tend to shape us, how do we define our character and allow our true self to shine, by pondering the effects of other characters on Raskolnikov throughout. As Raskolnikov compares himself to a drunk, a greedy pawn broker, and a police man, he convinces himself that he is superior to them. The other characters in the book serve to further display Raskolnikov’s madness by promoting the internal conflict within him. Raskolnikov allows others to shape him into a madman. Although most of the novel focuses on Raskolnikov’s journey to confession, eventually Dostoevsky displays that although others may encourage change in one’s character, they can also bring one back to humanity. At the end of the novel Sonia begins to bring Raskolnikov out of his independent state and illustrates the importance of faith and human passion. If Raskolnikov was given the chance to create a “big question”, he would probably ask: If humans have the opportunity to achieve greatness or become economically successful, why is it that humanity ultimately seeks intangibles such as passion, faith, and love? Raskolnikov would be interested in the answer(s) to this question because throughout Crime and Punishment, he struggles to find true meaning and purpose for himself until the end when he comes to terms with humanity.

Connection to King Lear

Many cannot find their identity today, which is a factor in why so many of us allow others to shape our identities. Not only in the modern world, but also in King Lear's time. King Lear is well aware of who he is, a proud and noble King with three beautiful and caring daughters. When he asks them to state how much they tangibly love him though, he gives away his power and loses his identity. He begins to go mad because who he thought he was, he is no longer. He allows his two power hungry daughters Reagan and Goneril to tear him down and give him a new, less powerful identity. For example, in his madness in act three scene six, Lear imagines his two daughters Regan and Goneril on trial before Edgar, the Fool, Kent, and himself. This displays his want to regain power and his previous identity. While speaking to the Fool of his plans, Lear states, "It shall be done. I will arraign them straight."(p.151) Meaning, Lear will arrange the trail, and set his daughters straight. Today, most people allow others to alter their identity because they don't really know who they are or can't accept themselves. At least Lear knows who he is, and is fighting to get it back, even if it is simply for power.

The picture above shows Lear and the Fool. This is significant because the Fool is one of Lear's only loyal subjects after his identity crisis.