Essay About Fyodor Dostoyevsky And Quality Of Money

Crime And Punishment
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The Websters Dictionary defines degradation as a fall from higher to lower rank or
degree(Websters, 205). Fyodor Dostoyevsky illustrates degradation of morals for several
characters in Crime and Punishment. He links the quality of money or lack thereof to the
their moral degradation to design complex characters. Dostoyevsky draws a picture of
society that is similar to the society depicted in Victor Hugos Les Miserables. The poor
become greedy and the rich become greedier. And, good moral decision making can be
greatly overpowered by the need or want of more money.
The degradation of society and lack of money cause Raskolnikov to kill the greedy
pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanovna and her sister Lizaveta. Raskolnikov believes that killing
them for their money will be a great conquest for himself and society. After fighting with
himself about whether or not he should commit the crime, he overhears someone talking
about the same plan.
Hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives could be put on the right path, dozens of
families rescued from poverty, from ruin, from collapse, from decay, from venereal
wards of the hospitals– all this with her money! Kill her, take her money, dedicate
it to serving mankind, to the general welfare. Well –what do you think — isnt
this petty little crime effaced by thousands of good deeds? (63, part 1)
Raskolnikov decides he must go against his good judgment and commit murder for the
good of society and himself.
Dostoyevsky also takes the character of Raskolnikov to the opposite extreme.
After his mother sends him money, he uses it to help out the Marmeladov family in an act
of pure charity. He comes across Marmeladov injured by a carriage and without hesitation
offers to help.
“I know him!” and he pushed all the way forward. “Its the clerk, the retired titular
councilor, Marmeladov! He lives near here, in Kozels house.Somebody get a
doctor! Ill pay. Here!” he fished money out of his pocket and showed it to the
policeman. (170, part 2)
Dostoyevsky is showing how Raskolnikovs decision making is effected by money or lack
thereof.
Svidrigailov is a character who was poor and in jail. He was bought by Marfa
Perovna and lived a good life off of her money. Unlike Raskolnikov, Svidrigailovs moral
degradation becomes worse with his increase of wealth. He cheats on his wife, causing
her to eventually kill herself, and gets a fifteen year old pregnant. He then admits to
Raskolnikov that he was in love with his sister, Dunya, but now just wants to sleep with
her.
“Secondly, I fancy you wont refuse me a little help in a certain project of mine that
touches directly on the interests of your dear sister, Dunya. Because of certain, ah,
prejudices, she wouldnt even admit me into her yard by myself, without an
introduction. But with your help, I could count–” (268, Part 4)
Dostoyevsky is portraying Svidrigailov as the lowest, immoral character in the book. The
lack of morals he has is illustrated by him asking Raskolnikov to help him sleep with
Dunya.
Dostoyevsky reiterates how lack of money can lead to moral degradation in the
character