the power of the conscience

Search for motives in Crime and Punishment

In the time leading up to the murder, Raskolinkov was searching for reasons. Reasons for what he was about to do. He found them in coincidences that occurred: over hearing the students conversation relaying the same thoughts he was having, finding out the exact time the old woman would be alone, the ax; it all seemed to work out all too well. That must mean he was meant to kill the old woman. And so he did. But afterwards, it seems he was searching for his motives, to justify what he had done. The certainty he had going to the old woman's house was gone and the impact of what he had done was catching up to him and he need to find sound reasons to attain a peace of mind. In this case he used his own theory he had written as a student. "I merely suggested that that the 'extraordinary' man has the right...to permit his conscience to transgress...certain obstacles, but only if the...salvation of mankind demands it." (249) He believed eliminating the bitter old woman would help their society, and he believed he was superior enough to be the one to kill her. He kept telling himself this, though, but uneasiness would seep back into his head, making him delirious, angry, anxious, and ill, leading him to once again seek out logical reasons that supported his actions.

Raskolinkov is not alone in his search. Everyone wants justifiable reasons for their actions, to tell themselves they were right. The mind is not at ease if these reasons can't be found. The conscience is a powerful thing and controls and affects us, just as Raskolinkov's conscience affected him. Dostoyevsky shows us this powerful aspect human nature through Raskolinkov.

-mr