Raskolnikov confesses to Marmeledov early in the text that his murder was of selfless intentions. Yet, when Raskolnikov nears the end of his disquieting journey to find himself, he confides in Sonia that he committed the murder solely for himself – far from an altruistic attitude. So if the main character cannot show this redeeming quality, who can?
Dostoevsky introduces Sonia into the novel just after Raskolnikov’s insincere confession to Marmeledov. The timing of Sonia’s début is very clever, directly contrasting Raskolnikov, a character who is driven by his selfish nature, with Sonia, a timid, humble, sacrificial, selfless young lady. Dostoevsky includes numerous religious allusions; many times implying that Raskolnikov is a Christ like figure. However, it is apparent to me, that Sonia fits this role. She humbly transforms Raskolnikov from his tormented state into a man at peace with himself. Without Sonia’s help, Raskolnikov wouldn’t have confessed or repented of his actions. Most importantly, though, Sonia represents the only altruistic character in the novel.
When I originally came up with my question, I had Christ in mind--who paid for the sins of the world, scorning of shame, not for his own benefit, but for our own. I saw this truly selfless quality in Sonia, who sacrifices her whole life to follow Raskolnikov to the ends of the earth, physically to Siberia, but also metaphorically sacrifices her own self, following Rodya knowing that he may not love her at all. She followed him when he directly told her not to. In the same way, Christ follows us into our darkest hour, even when we think our “dirt” is too shameful for him to witness.
When reviewing Sonia as a character, it is quite ironic that she is a prostitute. She is pictured as the most compassionate and faith-filled character and yet it would seem that her moral choice of selling herself to sacrifice for her family is wrong. Dostoevsky creates this battle inside the reader’s mind for the purpose of illustrating that each of us carries baggage. Every one of us has done things we are ashamed of. But somehow, through religious transformation in Christ, or from a secular point of view, through the transformation of our mind, there is hope. Like Raskolnikov, we can be redeemed.
Ultimately, Dostoevsky was a key author in helping me to uncover the mystery of altruism. Maybe true altruism doesn't exist. Looking through a religious lens, maybe, just maybe, that's a good thing. Because through our imperfections and selfish desires, we are brought low in order to recognize who truly reigns over us.
