In Crime and Punishment by Feodor Dostoevsky, the protagonist, Raskolnikov, kills an old woman and her sister because he believes he is an extraordinary man. Throughout the rest of the story, Raskolnikov faces the repercussions of his actions, discovers the truths and falsehoods of his theory, and realizes the extent of his own greatness. However, Dostoevsky believes that Raskolnikov's great man theory is false, visible in the characters of Svidrigaylov and Sonya. Raskolnikov believes that there are two types of people: ordinary men and extraordinary men. Extraordinary people are called upon to revolutionize the world and possess certain rights that go beyond those of ordinary people. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayWhen Porfiry questions Raskolnikov about his theory, Raskolnikov states certain criteria for being a great man. The first criterion of being an extraordinary man is to break all the rules necessary to promote one's ideas, thus advancing all humanity. He says: "I merely imply that the 'extraordinary' man has the right... I do not mean a formal, official right, but he himself has the right, to allow his conscience to pass... certain obstacles, but only in case that his ideas (which can sometimes be beneficial to all humanity) require it for their realization” (220). man breaks the rules only because it is absolutely necessary, he should not feel guilty or aware of it, he has made a mistake and is not a great man at all (224). suffering Raskolnikov states this when he says: “Suffering and pain are always obligatory for those with broad intellect and deep feeling. Truly great men must, I think, experience great pain on earth extraordinary is greater than the pain of the ordinary, because they are capable of understanding the world on a deeper level. Raskolnikov also believes that the reason for extraordinary men is power itself. He makes this clear when he tells Sonya what they need to do. He says, “What should we do? Demolish what needs to be demolished, once and for all, that's all, and take the suffering upon ourselves! What? Don't you understand? You'll understand later... Freedom and power, but above all power! The power is over all the trembling creatures, over the whole anthill!... This is a purpose!” (279). In summary, Raskolnikov's theory establishes that the great man has the authority and need to break the rules, experiences great pain, and is motivated by the desire for power. An example of Raskolnikov's great man theory in practice is the character of Svidrigaylov. He often breaks the rules due to his personal ideas. He is explaining his actions to Raskolnikov when he says, “Tell me, why should I limit myself? Why should I give up women if I have any inclination for them? It's something to do, anyway... ...it's one thing with one person and something different with another." (397). Svidrigaylov has adopted the idea that the rules do not apply to him. he also lacks conscience and guilt for all his actions. He states: “My conscience is perfectly clear; there is no ulterior motive behind my offering.” (247).Because he has no remorse for his actions, Svidrigaylov is the extraordinary man Raskolnikov speaks of. Despite his clear conscience, Svidrigaylov feels great pain. After Dunya tells him that she will never love him, Dostoevsky describes the his overwhelming suffering. He wrote: “Svidrigaylov remained about three minutes longer by the window; finally he turned, looked around and passedslowly put your hand on your forehead. There was a strange smile on his face, the faint, pitiful and sad smile of despair." (421). His pain is so great that Svidrigaylov ends his own life. His motivation for breaking the rules, like the theory of Raskolnikov, was power, particularly over young women. Describes how he achieves their submission when talking about his dead wife. He tells Raskolnikov: “Despite Aydotya Romanovna's real dislike of me, and my persistently gloomy and hostile appearance, in the end. she felt sorry for me, sorry for a lost soul. And when a girl's heart begins to feel pity for a man, then obviously she is in the greatest danger (401). Raskolnikov's man: he constantly breaks the rules, lacks conscience and suffers, and is motivated by power. However, Raskolnikov completely despises him: “Enough of your evil and petty stories, you vile, disgusting and salacious creature ! (408). Svidrigaylov meets all the criteria of Raskolnikov's great man theory, but to him it is evident that Svidrigaylov is not an extraordinary man. Therefore, Dostoevsky believes that Raskolnikov's great man theory is false. Sonya, another character from Crime and Punishment, does not meet all the criteria of Raskolnikov's great man, but she is the main example of a truly great man in the story. However, it meets some of Raskolnikov's requirements. For example, Sonya breaks the old rules, and Raskolnikov recognizes this when he says: “Didn't you do the same? You also crossed the barrier... you managed to do it. You put your hands on yourself, you destroyed a life... yours (it makes no difference!)". (278). Sonya, like Raskolnikov, committed murder; she killed herself when she became a prostitute for the benefit of her family. He also felt great pain regarding his actions. When Marmeladov tells Raskolnikov about Sonya's first night as a prostitute, he states: “She came in, went directly to Katerina Ivanovna and without saying a word placed thirty silver rubles on the table for her. He looked at her, but didn't say a single word, he just took our big green wool shawl, wrapped it around his head and face and lay down on the bed, facing the wall, and his little shoulders and his whole the body trembled…” (15). Sonya does not feel that she made the wrong decision to become a prostitute to save her family, but this does not exclude her from great pain. However, Sonya differs from the great man Raskolnikov in the motivation behind her actions. Unlike Svidrigaylov, Sonia is not motivated by power, but by freedom and resurrection through Christ. When she was reading the story of Lazarus to Raskolnikov, she read to him: "Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life: he who believes in me, even if he were dead, will live." (276). Sonya ardently believes that her faith in God will resurrect her from the dead and her freedom is the true motivation behind her actions, opposing Raskolnikov's theory. Despite her not meeting the criteria of his theory, Raskolnikov is strongly attracted to Sonya and falls in love with her after confessing to his crime. Dostoevsky describes Raskolnikov's devoted feelings for Sonya. He wrote: “But immediately, in that instant, she understood. Infinite happiness shone in his eyes; she understood, and no longer doubted that he loved her, loved her forever, and that now the time had finally come…” (463). Sonya does not meet all the requirements to be considered the great man according to Raskolnikov, yet he adores her and is redeemed when she follows her advice, and is indescribably attracted to her. Sonya is the real great man. Therefore, Raskolnikov's theory of the extraordinary man is false according to Dostoevsky. Please note: this is just an example. Get.