In every era we live in, there is a constant struggle between finding a cure for our neurosis with the advent of urbanization and finding qualities in nature that supersede our abilities to improve the modern man. With this type of chaos comes various forms of behaviors and actions, most of which arise from arguments of good versus evil. Dostoevsky insists that men have the choice between good and evil at every moment of their lives; no matter the circumstance, they have the choice between moral and immoral. Crime and Punishment is the story of Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov's struggle with the ideologies of his time. The young, impoverished law student is torn between the unifying and nihilistic cultures plaguing nineteenth-century Tsarist Russia. Through a criminal journey, it becomes clear to Raskolnikov that his ultimate failure was caused by his transgression in cold-hearted murder, in an attempt to prove his self-worth by breaking the law. As Raskolnikov's guilt overwhelms him and becomes unbearable, his only comfort is the confession of the crime. While serving his prison sentence in Siberia, Raskolnikov realizes that reason cannot beat human conscience. Motive is central to every crime committed. When brought to trial, the prosecutor must first prove that the defendant acted in the crime, and then must prove that the criminal possessed a “guilty mind.” There is no doubt or denial that Raskolnikov killed the old pawnbroker and her half-sister. As he approached the old woman's house, Raskolnikov protested to himself: “It may be, it may be that I will really take an ax, that I will hit her on the head, that I will split her skull. . . that I will trample the hot and sticky blood, break the lock, steal and tremble; hide......middle of paper......roit: Gale Research Company, 1984. 69. Print.Hackett, Francis. “Crime and Punishment”. Horizons: a book of criticism. New York: B. W. Huebsh, 1918. 178-185. Rpt. in nineteenth-century literary criticism. Ed. Laurie Lanzen Harris and Sheila Fitzgerald. vol. 7. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1984. 74-75. Print.Jones, Malcolm V. Dostoevsky: The Novel of Discord. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, Inc., 1976. Print.Miller, Robin Feuer. Critical essays on Dostoevsky. Boston: G. K. Hall & Co., 1986. PrintStrakhov, N. “The Nihilists and Raskolnikov's New Idea.” "Crime and Punishment" by Feodor Dostoevsky: a critical edition of Norton ... Critical essays. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1975. 485-487. Rpt. in nineteenth-century literary criticism. Ed. Laurie Lanzen Harris and Sheila Fitzgerald. vol. 7. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1984. 69-70. Press.