Morality, morbidity and a completely absurd event.
Crime and Punishment - an essay (or review?)
Here’s an essay I wrote a few weeks back, I was amazed by Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, and it pushed me into thought. Great read. I recommend you to read it. 9/10.
MILD SPOILER WARNING
Life, is strange in many different ways, from our own peculiar behaviors, the absurd circumstances, our judgments and our theories, goals, to the idea of freedom.
The story is placed in an environment of destitution. Raskolnikov, the protagonist, experiences every phase of the absurdity within humans that can never be understood. His situations, circumstances, society and perhaps his own desires and pride led to the conception of the event, and soon he spiralled down to the morbid expressionless delirium.
Here we find instances of moral dilemmas, psychotic episodes, mental fatigue, poverty, hope, death, purpose, existence of god and ourselves. A questionable protagonist, and peculiar human behavior. But it makes you think, doesn't it?
Who decides what? Why is there pride among us? Why are people so afraid of themselves, and why is there fear present in us? Is it truly necessary to perish?
Raskolnikov wanted to prove to himself that he can stand out, that he was able to, perform acts of the greatest willpower (much like Nietzsche's Übermensch and Walter White). He goes beyond good and evil to conflict with himself; nihilism cursing his path with its pessimistic perseverance.
"He killed, and yet he considers himself an honest man, despises people and walks around like a pale angel."
-[456]; referring to Raskolnikov
And soon he faces retribution. Pain, remorse, guilt, misanthropy and his ignorance leading up to the impending doom that was coming for him. And who can save him? Is it God? Or suffering?
The story successfully realizes that the importance of hope and purpose and friends and family in our lives. And it will make you think, process and storm your mind and your moral values and sanity.
In the end, the past remains the past and no ideology and radical approach could change it. And a new life is born within. A man finds solace. A resurrection.
