Women in Crime And Punishment Essay

Topic#1: How are women portrayed in the novel?

In Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevskys portrayal of characters in the novel is important. Dunya, Sonia, and Katherine are primary examples of women victimized by society. Dostoyevskys focus on the hardships of the female characters helps us to understand his view of women. These women are figures of strength and morality in the face of harsh circumstances. Although Dunya, Sonia and Katherine have consistently had problems of their own, they have been able to put any predicament to the side and use their strength to lend a hand to those who need them most.

Through self-sacrifice and the hardships of a being a poor young woman with a family to support, Sonia has stood strong for the things she believes in and the people she loves. The way she is described, Sonia comes off as frail and meek. These attributes can be seen throughout the novel. After being accused by Luzhin of stealing his money, she did not defend herself nor try to explain the situation. She did not speak up, but whispered in horror for something she had truly not done (pg 383). However, when it came to her family and the people she loved, she was there for them one hundred percent. It took the pain of others to bring out the tough side of Sonia. Constantly thinking about Katherine and the kids, Sonia did whatever it took to keep them going. When they needed money, Sonia pushed her morals and beliefs to the side and became a prostitute. Dostoyevsky is a fan of placing his characters in uncomfortable situations. When Raskolnikov finally confessed to Sonia about the murder, she stood by his side: How strange you are, Sonia. Embracing me and kissing me after Ive told you that. You dont know what youre doing (pg 399-400). Normally people who commit a crime want someone to hold them and tell them that everything will be alright, not expecting that it will actually happen. Sonia strayed away from the norm. She kept trying to find ways to make Raskolnikov innocent: sat down beside him, almost shoulder to shoulderYou were hungry! Youwanted to help your mother? (pg 399-400). Sonia helped Raskolnikov even though she had problems of her own; she had lost herself, her father, her friend and was in the process of losing her family. Anyone who is willing to go to such extremes just so that their family could make it one more day is strong and has a good head on their shoulders. Sonia knew what things people would say about her and how even those closest to her would react, but she remained unfazed and confident about her decisions. She faced adversity and overcame it to the best of her ability in a way people only dreamed of.

Unlike Sonia, Dunya has always stood up for herself. She does not allow people to disrespect her, nor does she allow herself to disrespect others. In the beginning of the novel when Raskolnikov gets the letter from his mother, we learn that Dunya has been apart of some horrible rumor which put her career as a governess in jeopardy, as well as her reputation. However, we can see from the way she is described that Dunya is a strong and independent woman. She too has made sacrifices for her family: she was marrying Luzhin. Although Dunya was convinced that the engagement between Luzhin and herself was a respectful and honest one, Dunya learned otherwise: According to that, one could guess youd really been counting on our helplessness (pg 299). Here, she has finally noticed that she was being taken advantage of and has decided to break away from Luzhin. Although their marriage would mean better living conditions for herself and her mother and being able to pay for Raskolnikovs university, she knew that nothing was worth her dignity and self respect. Dunya is never one to hold back her emotions: Wicked, heartless, egoist! (pg 307). Dunya has had enough with Raskolnikov and his selfish ways and is the first to let him know how she feels. Her strong character is what keeps her from holding back. Although some think speaking so bluntly is rude, Dunya does it in a respectful manner; to the point and as quickly as possible. Most of the time, a persons first reaction after hearing something that directly affects them is to think about their self and then think about how it will affect others. However, Dunya is worried about the complete opposite. When Dunya realizes that Raskolnikov is leaving them without knowing for how long, her first thought is how her mother will get along: Rodia! What are you doing to mother? (pg 307). Dostoyevsky portrays Dunya as an intelligent, decisive, and confident young lady who is unwilling to disgrace herself. However, her strong pride and integrity help her to stoop as low or as high as possible if it means she can help her family.

Katherine Ivanovna is the perfect example of a woman that many readers feel is weak. However, Katherines strength is not one that can be seen by people, but one that is hidden in the things she tries to do for people and the ones she loves. Katherine could not catch a break. Although she has had financial help from Sonia, it was not enough to help her escape from poverty or her illness. After the death of Marmedalov, Katherine wanted nothing more then to throw a funeral feast in memory of Marmedalov and to show her guests one last time how her aristocratic background has not vanished: ...she had been brought up in a noble, one might say aristocratic home, a colonels home (pg 368). At the feast there was vodka, rum, and Libson brandy, all of the poorest quality. Even though her actions, such as her reasons for having the funeral feast, may seem selfish, there is much more to Katherine under the surface. When Katherine Ivanova begins to make her kids sing, dance, and beg on the street, she does it for reason the reader was given; to show the general that Marmedalov worked with the pain and suffering she was forced to deal with: Ill provide for these children myself nowPolenkaspeak French to mewe have to do it all without preparation (pg 416). She tries to give as much as possible to her children while she is still alive. Although she does not say it out loud, Katherine knows her illness is taking over her life: broken voicestate of absolute frenzywithered handsstart coughing painfully (pg 414-415). With all the pain that she has to overcome she still tries to give her kids the best. She stays up at night cleaning there clothes so that the next morning theyll have something to wear. She also stands up for Sonia even though people would most likely turn against her as well for standing up for someone who goes against God. No reader can say that they would not act the same way as Katherine Ivanovna or worse if they had been in the same situation as she is was in. Her struggle came to an end, however, not too long after: the blood staining the roadway was spurting from her longs and out of her mouthshe gave a deep, deep sigh, and died (pg 419-421). Because we live in this world, we are predisposed to the bad before the good. In real life, people automatically judge someone based on what we have heard about them. As readers, people prematurely judge a character by their description or what we learn about them prior to actually meeting the character.

In Crime and Punishment, Dostoyevskys portrayal of each character is different but similar. He wants the reader to read between the lines and look beneath the surface of each character. Sonia, Dunya, and Katherine have all faced problems of their own but have grown from it. Although what they do may be against their own morals or beneath what they society may believe in, they try their best to find their way around it so that they can help their family and themselves.