Crime and Punishment Part VI

Crime and Punishment Part VI

Porfiry knows that Raskolnikov is the murderer. He comes to this conclusion based upon the following points:
• The pledges (all who were listed in Alyona’s pledge book were suspected). This list includes Raskolnikov.
• Porfiry had previously read a publication of Raskolnikov’s theory. His ideas mark him as a suspect.
• Raskolnikov’s illness makes him suspect because according to his theory, illness always accompanies crime.
• A witness saw him when he returned to the scene of the crime.

Even though Nikolay confessed, he knows that he belongs to a group that believes that suffering is a means of self purification and therefore he does not believe the confession. Porfiry gives Raskolnikov several days to confess. He needs to understand that his theory is wrong so that from this confession he can go on, face life, and become one of the important minds of Russia. Arresting him now would ruin Raskolnikov’s intellectual redemption through self-realization. If he recognizes his own error, and then suffers for his crime, then he can achieve intellectual greatness in his own right. As Porfiry states thematically, “For suffering, Rodion Romanovitch, is a great thing.”




Points to Remember
• Raskolnikov confession to Sonia only reconnects him to others. His redemption is incomplete because he has not been intellectually redeemed through rejection of his theory. Note: “he has taken up his cross” but he refuses to “kiss the ground that he has defiled” for fear of ridicule and damage to his pride.
• Svidrigalov’s suicide is part of the author’s theme: There can be no superman who transgresses the law. Sooner or later every person needs human warmth and companionship. He could have raped Dounia had self-gratification been enough, but he wanted her to want him. He cannot will her to love him. He cannot go back. He does not believe that there is a God who will punish him and therefore the only thing left to will is his own death.
• Raskolnikov’s confession to Porfiry serves to redeem his intellectual, calculating side. This marks the second climax and the thematic end of the story. However, the story continues in the epilog.