Crime and Punishment, a masterpiece written by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky, is widely regarded as one of the greatest novels ever written. Dostoevsky himself described it as a "psychological study of crime," making it a rich subject for psychoanalytic examination. The story revolves around Rodion Raskolnikov, a young man living in poverty and destitution. In an attempt to solve his problems, Raskolnikov commits the murder of Alyona Ivanovna, an elderly pawnbroker. This criminal act has profound psychological consequences for Raskolnikov, particularly in relation to his id, which will be explored in this analysis based on the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud. Additionally, Raskolnikov's character will be examined through his dreams in the novel, suggesting his inclination towards masochism.
Crime and Punishment have been extensively studied using various literary theories. Researchers have delved into the motives of Raskolnikov and other major characters such as Svidrigailov, Marmeladov, and Razumikhin. The novel has also been subjected to comparative analysis, such as juxtaposing it with Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." Scholars have explored specific aspects of the novel, including its symbolism and the significance of the religious dress code. Moreover, socio-psychological readings of the novel have been conducted. However, the present analysis adopts a psychoanalytic approach, as previous studies did not adequately illuminate the masochistic tendencies exhibited by Raskolnikov.
A qualitative research approach has been employed for data analysis, primarily relying on the novel Crime and Punishment as the primary source, written by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Freud's psychoanalytic theory serves as the framework for this analysis.
The Id and the Crime: A Psychoanalytic Study of Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment
According to Freud's tripartite model of the psyche, comprising the id, ego, and superego, the id represents the primitive and instinctual aspects of personality. It encompasses sexual and aggressive drives, urges, needs, and desires, operating on the pleasure principle and seeking instant gratification. Despite being repressed into the unconscious, desires, impulses, and memories continue to influence an individual's behavior (Freud). In Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov's actions are strongly influenced by his id. Under this influence, he murders two women: Alyona Ivanovna and her sister Lizaveta. At the beginning of the novel, readers are led to believe that Raskolnikov plans to murder the women due to his need for money. Living in deplorable conditions and burdened with significant debts to his landlady, Raskolnikov initially considers the idea of obtaining a legitimate job as a tutor to earn money. However, he rejects this notion, driven by his id's pursuit of immediate gratification and the quickest path to resolving his problems.
"Of course, I've been meaning lately to go to Razumikhin's to ask for work, to ask him to get me lessons or something... Well, and what then? What shall I do with the few coppers I earn? That's not what I want now." (Dostoevsky 47)
Consequently, Raskolnikov contemplates murdering the old pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanovna, as the alternative solution and the fastest way to alleviate his troubles. This fateful decision gains strength after Raskolnikov receives a letter from his mother, revealing the dire circumstances in which she and his sister live. The letter also discloses his sister's impending marriage to a harsh and domineering man, who expects complete obedience from his wife. This revelation infuriates Raskolnikov and wounds his pride. To restore his wounded pride, Raskolnikov's id takes control and overrides the rational part of his psyche. His id leads him to develop the ideology of being superior to ordinary individuals, exempt from the laws and moral obligations that govern them. Consequently, Raskolnikov deems it justifiable to kill "a louse" like the old pawnbroker, someone devoid of human value, so that he, as a superior person, can continue to live. By a twist of fate, Raskolnikov learns that the old pawnbroker will be alone at her home on a specific day, and it is on that day that the murder takes place.
Moreover, Raskolnikov exhibits signs of being a masochistic individual. Masochists derive pleasure from experiencing pain inflicted upon them. Throughout the novel, it becomes evident that Raskolnikov deliberately subjects himself to disgraceful conditions: he wears tattered clothes, resides in a ridiculously small room, avoids social interactions, and deprives himself of sufficient nourishment. These choices indicate a deliberate act of self-inflicted suffering rather than mere fate. Additionally, Raskolnikov experiences recurring dreams throughout the novel. The first dream, which occurs before he commits the murder, provides significant insight. In the dream, Raskolnikov is seven years old and walking alongside his father in a cemetery. They encounter a tavern from which drunken peasants emerge, beckoned by the cart owner, whose horse struggles to move despite repeated lashings. The horse, weak and exhausted, eventually dies. In the dream, the young Raskolnikov witnesses this brutality and kisses the dead horse's lips and eyes. His father then takes him away, but Raskolnikov's breath is cut short, and he wakes up in distress, every bone in his body aching. Grateful that it was just a dream, he refuses to believe that he could carry out his plans for murder. Although he remains convinced of the flawlessness of his reasoning, he questions his ability to split open the old woman's head with an axe and immerse himself in warm, sticky blood (Dostoevsky 54).
This dream sheds light on the primary motivation behind Raskolnikov's crime. In order to defend himself against his passive-masochistic tendencies, Raskolnikov feels compelled to pursue his theory of superiority, even if it entails committing a brutal murder. Prior to the murder, Raskolnikov was dependent on women—his mother provided him with an allowance, and his landlady extended loans and shelter. Learning of his sister's impending marriage triggered a sudden sense of shame and anxiety toward dependency on men. This fear of reliance on men is evident in Raskolnikov's refusal to seek assistance from his friend Razumikhin until after committing the murder, as Raskolnikov believes this act will prove his own masculine worthiness.
By delving deeper into the character's life and tracing the series of events that culminate in the act of murder, it becomes clear that Raskolnikov's crime is profoundly influenced by his id, accompanied by tendencies towards masochism.
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