The moral character of Luzhin and Svidrigailov. Composition: Luzhin and Svidrigailov

Luzhin and Svidrigailov

Luzhin and Svidrigailov in FM Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment The novel Crime and Punishment was conceived by Dostoevsky while still in hard labor. Then it was called "Drunken", but gradually the idea of ​​the novel was transformed into a "psychological account of one crime." Dostoevsky in his novel depicts the collision of theory with the logic of life. According to the writer, a living life process, that is, the logic of life, always refutes, makes untenable any theory - both the most advanced, revolutionary, and the most criminal. This means that it is impossible to do life according to theory. And therefore, the main philosophical thought of the novel is revealed not in a system of logical proofs and refutations, but as a clash of a person possessed by an extremely criminal theory with life processes that refute this theory.

Raskolnikov is surrounded in the novel by characters who are, as it were, his "doubles": in them, some aspect of the protagonist's personality is reduced, parodied or shaded. Thanks to this, the novel turns out to be not so much a trial over a crime, but (and this is the main thing) a trial over the personality, character, psychology of a person, which reflected the features of the Russian reality of the 60s of the last century: the search for truth, truth, heroic aspirations, "vacillation" , "delusions".

Rodion Raskolnikov is associated with many people in the work. Some of them are Luzhin and Svidrigailov, who are "doubles" of the protagonist, because they created theories similar to the theory of the "chosen ones" and "trembling creatures". "We are of the same berry field," Svidrigailov says to Rodion, emphasizing their similarities. Svidrigailov, one of the most complex images of Dostoevsky, is held captive by a false theory. He, like Raskolnikov, rejected public morality and squandered his life on entertainment. Svidrigailov, guilty of the death of several people, silenced his conscience for a long time, and only a meeting with Dunya awakened some feelings in his soul. But repentance, unlike Raskolnikov, came to him too late. He even helped Sonya, his fiancée, the children of Katerina Ivanovna, to stifle remorse. But he does not have enough time or energy to cope with himself and he puts a bullet in his forehead.

Svidrigailov is a man without conscience and honor - like a warning to Raskolnikov if he does not obey the voice of his own conscience and wants to live with a crime in his soul that has not been redeemed by suffering. Svidrigailov is the most painful "double" for Raskolnikov, because in him the depths of the moral fall of a person are revealed, due to the spiritual emptiness of a person who has taken the path of crime. Svidrigailov is a kind of "black man" who constantly worries Raskolnikov, who convinces him that they are "of the same fruit", and with whom the hero is especially desperately struggling.

Svidrigailov is a well-to-do landowner who leads an idle lifestyle. Svidrigailov destroyed the man and the citizen within himself. Hence his cynicism, with which he formulates the essence of the Raskolnikov idea, freeing himself from the confusion of Rodion, remaining in boundless voluptuousness. But, having stumbled upon an obstacle, he commits suicide. Death for him is liberation from all obstacles, from "questions of a person and a citizen." This is the result of the idea that Raskolnikov wanted to be convinced of.

Another "double" of Rodion Raskolnikov is Luzhin. He is a hero, successful and not in any way constraining himself. Luzhin evokes disgust and hatred of Raskolnikov, although he recognizes something in common in their life principle of calmly stepping over obstacles, and this circumstance torments the conscientious Raskolnikov even more.

Luzhin - business man with their "economic theories". In this theory, he justifies the exploitation of man, and it is built on profit and calculation, it differs from Raskolnikov's theory in disinterested thoughts. And although theories of both one and the other lead to the idea that it is possible to "shed blood according to conscience," Raskolnikov's motives are noble, suffered in heart, he is driven not just by calculation, but by delusion, "darkening of the mind."

Luzhin is a straightforwardly primitive person. He is a diminished, almost comic double in comparison with Svidrigailov. In the last century, the minds of many people were subject to the theory of "Napoleonism" - the ability of a strong personality to command the fate of other people. The hero of the novel, Rodion Raskolnikov, became a prisoner of this idea. The author of the work, wishing to portray the immoral idea of ​​the protagonist, shows its utopian result on the images of the "doubles" of Svidrigailov and Luzhin. Raskolnikov explains the establishment of social justice by violent means as "blood according to conscience." The writer further developed this theory. Svidrigailov and Luzhin have exhausted the idea of ​​abandoning "principles" and "ideals" to the end. One has lost his bearings between good and evil, the other preaches personal gain - all this is the logical conclusion of Raskolnikov's thoughts. It is not for nothing that Rodion replies to Luzhin's selfish reasoning: "Bring to the consequences that you preached just now, and it will turn out that people can be cut."

In his work "Crime and Punishment", Dostoevsky convinces us that the struggle between good and evil in the human soul does not always end in the victory of virtue. Through suffering, people go to transformation and purification, we see this in the images of Luzhin and especially Svidrigailov.

Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment is a breakthrough in literature - it is one of the first works in which the opposition of ideologies is presented. Almost the entire novel is aimed at debunking Raskolnikov's theory. The author creates double heroes in order to methodically and visually build a refutation of the theory of "trembling creatures and having the right".

Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin is just one of these characters. The hero lives in accordance with his principle of "the whole caftan", which, at first glance, looks less dangerous than Raskolnikov's theory.

But, then the reader realizes that people like Luzhin are practically incorrigible people, they have neither remorse (I suspect - as well as conscience itself), nor the ability for introspection, as, for example, in the same Raskolnikov or Marmeladov. The hero is a scoundrel (the case with Sonya and money) and an egoist (his theory about poor wives), he commits a lot of bad deeds and never regrets it. Luzhin is disgusting to Raskolnikov, Rodion sees the similarities between him and himself and understands that Pyotr Petrovich is the person he himself can turn into if he does not take any measures.

Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov is also considered to be Raskolnikov's double. Svidrigailov, like the main character, adheres to the belief that evil in the name of a good cause is permissible.

Svidrigailov essentially supports Raskolnikov's theory. The hero, in fact, like Rodion, can commit both good deeds and crimes, but for Svidrigailov there is no clear line between these concepts, he is quite capable of crimes (there are hints in the novel that he was involved in the death of his wife), but and can do good deeds (for example, help Sonia financially). Arkady Petrovich, in fact, looks like possible variant development of Raskolnikov's personality (this is why when Rodion, being in the police premises, learns about Svidrigailov's suicide, he is so worried)

The heroes - doubles, with which Dostoevsky surrounded his hero, help the author gradually bring Raskolnikov to repentance.

Updated: 2018-02-11

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It is considered difficult enough. In the center of the novel is the image of Rodion Raskolnikov and his theory. As the story progresses, other characters appear. Of particular importance in the work "Crime and Punishment" Raskolnikov's doubles. Why does Dostoevsky introduce them into the plot? How are Raskolnikov and his counterparts alike? What is the difference? What are their ideas? What are Raskolnikov's doubles - Luzhin and Svidrigailov? More on this later in the article.

Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin - Raskolnikov's double

The author characterizes it rather negatively. Luzhin is rich and a brilliant businessman. He came to Petersburg to arrange his career. "Having got into people", Peter highly appreciated his own mind, his abilities, he was accustomed to admire himself and enjoy it. The main dream his was to marry. Peter strove to bless some girl by elevating her to himself. She certainly had to be educated and beautiful. He knew that in Petersburg one could "gain a lot from women." His painful self-admiration, all his dreams speak of a certain imbalance in character, of the presence of cynicism in him. With the help of money, "breaking out of nothingness", he remained low inside. Next, let's find out what indicates that Luzhin and Raskolnikov are twins.

The theory of Petr Petrovich

Luzhin is presented as a business man who appreciates money more than anything else, which is earned "by all kinds of means and labor." He considers himself smart, working for the good of people, progressive and respects himself very much. Pyotr Petrovich has his own own theory, which he develops with great pleasure in front of Rodion Raskolnikov. His idea " reasonable selfishness"presupposes love first of all for oneself, since everything that happens in the world is based, in his opinion, on his own interest. If all people act according to his theory, there will be many more successful citizens in society. Thus, a person, acquiring everything exclusively himself, works for the good of the whole society and in the name of economic progress. In life, Luzhin is guided by this theory. The dream of marrying Avdotya flatters his pride. In addition, this marriage can contribute to his further career... Raskolnikov, meanwhile, is against this marriage. But Petr Petrovich quickly finds a way to rectify the situation. In order to denigrate Rodion in front of his family and return Dunya's favor, he puts a banknote in Sonya and accuses her of stealing.

Why is Luzhin a double of Raskolnikov?

Analyzing the theory of Petr Petrovich, one can find many analogies with the idea of ​​Rodion. Both in the first and in the second, one's own, personal interest remains a priority. Raskolnikov asserts that "Napoleons are allowed everything." According to Petr Petrovich, Rodion's idea is also designed to save humanity from evil and is aimed at achieving progress in development. Only people who are capable of destroying the present for the good of the future can move the world and lead it to the goal.

Similarity of opinion is the reason for hate

It should be said, meanwhile, that Raskolnikov did not like Luzhin's idea very much. Probably, on an intuitive level, Rodion felt a similarity to his ideas and thoughts. He points out to Pyotr Petrovich that, according to his "Luzhin" theory, it is permissible to "cut people." Apparently, the similarity in thoughts and vision of the situation in the world determines Rodion's unaccountable hatred for Pyotr Petrovich. As a result, a certain "vulgarity" of Raskolnikov's theory appears. Petr Petrovich proposes an "economic" version of it, one that, in his opinion, is applicable in life and is aimed at achieving goals with material, mainly means. Thus, we can conclude that Luzhin is Raskolnikov's double in everyday life.

Another character with a similar theory

In the course of the narration, another hero appears - Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov. This rather complex character with his whole being expresses a kind of "non-uniformity". He "is not one-liner anywhere", but in his image the philosophical context of the expression of Rodion's idea can be traced. Thanks to the actions of Svidrigailov (it was he who revealed the true state of affairs to Marfa Petrovna), the good name of Raskolnikov's sister is being restored. Arkady Ivanovich also assists the Marmeladov family, organizing the funeral of the deceased Katerina Ivanovna and placing orphaned young children in an orphanage. He also helps Sonya, supplying her with funds for a trip to Siberia.

Brief description of Arkady Ivanovich

This person is smart, perceptive, he has his own special "subtlety". He has the ability to understand people perfectly. Thanks to this skill, he was immediately able to determine what Luzhin was. Arkady Ivanovich decides to prevent Peter Petrovich from marrying Avdotya. According to some authors, Svidrigailov is potentially a man of great strength and conscience. However, all these inclinations of his are ruined by the social Russian foundations, the way of life. The hero lacks any ideals, there is no clear moral guide... Among other things, Arkady Ivanovich by nature possesses a vice, which he not only cannot, but does not want to fight. Speech in this case is about his propensity for debauchery. The hero's life proceeds in subjection to his own passions.

What are the similarities between Rodion and Arkady Ivanovich?

Svidrigailov, when meeting with Raskolnikov, notes a certain "common point" between them, saying that they are "berries of the same field." Dostoevsky himself, to a certain extent, brings these characters closer together, depicting them, develops one motive - childish innocence, purity. In the image of Raskolnikov there are features of a child - he has a "childish smile", and in his first dream he appears as a seven-year-old boy. In Sonia, with whom Rodion is getting closer and closer, traits of innocence and purity are also traced. She reminds Raskolnikov of a child. Lizaveta's face also had a childish expression at the moment when Rodion attacked her. For Arkady Ivanovich, meanwhile, children are a reminder of the atrocities committed by him, coming to him in nightmares. It is this common motive, the very fact of his presence that allows us to say that Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov are doubles.

Differences in the images of Arkady Ivanovich and Rodion

As the story progresses, the differences between the characters become more and more obvious. The crime that Raskolnikov committed was a kind of symbol of protest against the cruelty and injustice of the world around him, the intolerance of living conditions. The secondary motive is the plight of the family and himself. In addition, he was eager to test his theory. However, after the crime, Rodion is no longer able to live differently, as if "he cut himself off from everyone with scissors." Now he has nothing to talk about with those around him, and he is seized by a feeling of painful alienation from all people. Despite this, before and after the crime, ideals are preserved in the image of Raskolnikov - the concepts of evil and good are very significant for him. So, after the atrocity, he helps the Marmeladovs, gives the last 20 rubles to organize the funeral of Semyon Zakharovich. In the image of Svidrigailov, nothing of the kind appears. Arkady Ivanovich appears completely devastated and spiritually dead man... In him, unbelief and cynicism coexist with a subtle mind, self-sufficiency, life experience... He is so "dead" that even feelings for Duna are not able to revive him.

Love for her awakened noble impulses and the manifestation of true humanity in Arkady Ivanovich only for a short moment. Svidrigailov is bored with life, he does not believe in anything, nothing takes his heart and mind. Along with this, he indulges his desires: both bad and good. Arkady Ivanovich does not feel remorse for having killed a very young girl. And only once her image appears to him in a nightmare - on the night before his death. At the same time, the idea is created that this is his crime - not the only atrocity of the hero: there are many rumors and gossip about him. However, the character himself is very indifferent to them and, in fact, does not consider his actions to be something out of the ordinary.

The embodiment of Rodion's theory in the image of Arkady Ivanovich

Speaking about the fact that Svidrigailov is Raskolnikov's double, one should pay attention to their personal relationship. At first it seems to Rodion that Arkady Ivanovich has some kind of power over him. Raskolnikov is drawn to Svidrigailov. But later Rodion feels a kind of "heaviness", he becomes "stuffy" from this proximity. Gradually, Raskolnikov begins to believe that Svidrigailov is the most insignificant and empty villain on earth. Arkady Ivanovich, meanwhile, goes much further than Rodion along the path of evil. In this respect, even some symbolism of the name Arkady can be traced. It has Greek origin and literally translates as "shepherd". In Orthodox culture, this word was used in the sense of "shepherd" - a leader, mentor, teacher in spiritual life. In a way, Svidrigailov for Raskolnikov is just that: in his disbelief and cynicism, he surpasses Rodion in many ways. Arkady Ivanovich constantly demonstrates his "mastery", to a certain extent "higher" mastery of Rodion's theory, practically embodying it.

The meaning of the characters in the work

Raskolnikov's doubles are close to him in spirit, but have different purposes. Each of them embodies Rodion's theory in its own way. With their own internal appearance, Raskolnikov's doubles in the novel discredit his ideas. The image of Petr Petrovich seems to be a primitive embodiment of theory at the everyday level. Arkady Ivanovich is a deeper character. Svidrigailov's application of the "Raskolnikov" theory is more profound. He embodies it on a philosophical level. When you analyze the image and actions of Arkady Ivanovich, in some way the bottom of the abyss is exposed, where the "individualistic" idea of ​​the protagonist leads.

Sonya Marmeladova

If the characters described above are the spiritual counterparts of Raskolnikov, then this heroine is similar to Rodion exclusively in terms of her "life situation". In any case, the main character of the work thought so. She, like the rest of the characters, was able to cross the line beyond which morality ends. Being an active and active nature, Sofya Semyonovna tries to save her family from death. In her actions, she is primarily guided by faith, kindness, meekness. Sonya attracts Rodion, he begins to identify her with him. However, like other doubles of Raskolnikov, Marmeladova soon becomes completely different from him. Rodion notices that he ceases to understand her, she even seems to him "holy fool" and strange. Subsequently, the differences between them become more pronounced.

"Atrocity" by Sonya Marmeladova

It should be said that her "crime" differs from the actions of Raskolnikov. By turning into a prostitute, saving children from starvation, she harms herself. While the rest of the heroes inflict it on others, they ruin other people's lives. Rodion is free to choose between good and evil. Sonya was initially deprived of this choice. Her act is immoral, but justified in some way by motive. Unlike other characters, Sonya's soul is filled with love, faith, mercy, she is "alive" and feels her unity with those around her.

Conclusion

Quite a lot of personalities appear before the reader on the pages of the work. All of them are more or less similar to the main character - Raskolnikov. Of course, this similarity is not accidental. Rodion's theory is so nightmare that a simple description of his life was not enough. Otherwise, the portrayal of his fate and the collapse of his ideas would be reduced to a simple description crime history about a half-baked student. In his work, Dostoevsky tried to show that this theory is not all that new and is completely realizable. Its development and refraction permeates human destinies, people's lives. As a result, an understanding arises that it is necessary to fight against this evil. To confront immorality, everyone has their own means. At the same time, one should not forget that the fight against the enemy with the help of his own weapon becomes meaningless, since it returns again to the same path of immorality.

Socio-psychological novel by F.M. Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment (1866) creates for the reader complex picture public, moral relations in Russia in the 60s of the XIX century.

Rodion Raskolnikov, the protagonist of the novel, is an undergraduate student, exhausted by poverty. He is a "child" of his age, of his time. Thoughts about the unjust order of the world oppress him. Rodion rebelled against the laws of this world and knows "power alone" - the desire to change this world. How can the "masters of life", Napoleons, Luzhins, Svidrigailovs, being at the top of the "human anthill", command others, people who are honest and conscientious, but deprived of the right to human existence?

Reflections of Raskolnikov build in his mind an inhuman theory of dividing people into "trembling creatures" and those who "have the right." In fact, the soul of a young man is “split”. He is driven by the desire to "break what is needed, and nothing more." In other words, forcibly changing life in global scale on a reasonable, humane basis.

But can the lofty goal that guides the thoughts of the hero be combined with criminal means? Yes, maybe, he thinks. After all, as it seems to him, he could take on "human suffering" in order to protect the "humiliated and insulted."

But "nature", a sense of justice, tells the "liberator of humanity": he is wrong.

The subsequent murder of the old woman-pawnbroker is a mathematically verified step, as it seems to him. At the same time, Raskolnikov is trying to prove to himself that the murder of "no one needs and ... all harmful old woman" will help him understand himself. “Will I be able to overstep or will I not be able to? Do I dare to bend over and take it or not? Am I a trembling creature or have I the right? "

But, according to the shrewd Porfiry Petrovich, the hero "could not calculate his nature." "I killed myself, not the old woman: here I killed myself forever!" Rodion exclaims with anguish. Subsequent repentance, confession, trial and hard labor, Sonya's love and sympathetic attitude, A New Look comrades in misfortune to him, and most importantly - coming to the truth through faith in God - this regenerates the hero, gives him hope for overcoming the internal crisis. A new idea of ​​his destiny opens before him.

To love God and people, to live righteously, to endure - this is the lot of a person who has overcome an internal “split” (duality of feelings) and intends to live according to the laws of conscience and goodness.

But why is Svidrigailov in in a certain sense is Raskolnikov's double?

Because on some important life stage both of them are united by a common thing: a false understanding that a strong person always wins in life, the one who “has the right to overstep”, despising the “trembling creature”.

Svidrigailov, however, goes through life in an initially criminal way, skillfully covering the traces of his atrocities. There were known facts of hanging serfs in the attic of his house; the story of the death of his wife Marfa Petrovna looks suspicious and dark. He pursues Evdokia Romanovna with the persistence of a maniac, trying to get reciprocity from her.

But over time, Svidrigailov still understands the terrible sinful essence of his actions and commits suicide on a warm, damp night in the St. Petersburg quarters.

In the troubled hours of half-sleep on the eve of the fatal step, he is visited by pictures of his past depraved life, and these visions once again confirm for him the feelings of guilt and the correctness of the chosen decision: he must punish himself. In atonement for sins, he leaves money for the maintenance of the children of Ekaterina Ivanovna.

The idea of ​​the novel "Crime and Punishment" came to Fyodor Dostoevsky during his time in hard labor. The working title was Drunken. But then the plot turned into a moral and psychological channel, and the idea of ​​the work turned into a "psychological account of one crime."

The main problem in the novel is the collision of theory and realities of life. The writer shows us that no matter what the theory is: revolutionary or criminal, it still fails, colliding with the logic of life.

The central character is a poor young man hungry for justice. He is bright outstanding personality... Highly appreciating his mind, Raskolnikov is arrogant and does not want to put up with his miserable poverty-stricken existence. In his mind, a terrible theory arises that people are divided into two categories: people "small", meaningless "trembling creatures" and people "Napoleons" who have the right to everything. The young man asks himself the question: is he a trembling creature or does he have a right? In order to test the theory, he decides to commit a crime.

In the novel there are moral doubles of Raskolnikov - they are Luzhin and Svidrigailov. They are needed to fully reveal the image of the protagonist. At first glance, there is little in common between these three characters, but there is one important detail that brings them together - they all have their own theory.

Comparing Luzhin and Svidrigailov, we can say that he is a brighter personality. He's a criminal neglectful public morality... Having long crossed the bloody line, Svidrigailov follows the hedonistic philosophy - to live for his own pleasure.

If you delve into his psychology, you can see in him a disillusioned person who does not believe in either hell or heaven. So, says Svidrigailov, why try to live right?

The hero lives for the sake of base pleasures, although in his soul there were many unrevealed strengths and possibilities.

According to Svidrigailov's theory, any evil can be justified by a high “good” goal. This is the similarity of the theories of Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov. However, the mature hero realizes that often this “good” goal is his personal interest, and the young hero tries to convince himself that he is acting in the name of the public good. Svidrigailov immediately realizes that they are of the same berry field. And Raskolnikov needs time to recognize this similarity.

Luzhin is closer in age and social status Svidrigailov than Raskolnikov. He is a successful lawyer for 45 years. But he, like Svidrigailov, is the moral double of the protagonist. He also has his own theory, which consists in rational egoism.

Unlike Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov, - “ small man"Non-intuitive, fixated on benefits. He is not capable of any great good, nor of great evil... Therefore, Luzhin is a petty criminal. His crime is to blame innocent girl in theft.

Svidrigailov and Luzhin are different sides of the protagonist.