In chapter IV, Dostoevsky offers up the solution to the problems the
main players in the novel. Throughout all of part V, what has been the main
issue among the characters is pride. Even after realizing that his engagement
is irreparably harmed, Luzhin’s pride won’t let him just give up until he has
exhausted all of his abilities. Katerina Ivanovna’s pride won’t let her resign
herself to poverty and she spends the money Rodka gave her on material items.
Even Lebezyatnikov has too much hubris to just be a good person and goes on
about popular intellectual ideas and ethics. Finally, in chapter IV, Rodka
confesses to Sonya and recognizes that it was his pride making him strive for
extraordinariness, thus making him unextraordinary. It is Rodka’s next step in returning
to society as he has now made this connection with Sonya. Sonya is the only
character without pride or hubris because it is a sin. While Dostoevsky is not
promoting that everyone should turn to religion, he is still arguing that pride
and hubris are the instruments of self-destruction, no more evident than
Katerina Ivanovna literally dying while still touting her nobility earlier in
part V.
Dostoevsky also uses part V to denounce popular intellectual movements
as nothing more than fads. Lebezyatnikov is the human representation of these
movements, and Dostoevsky spares no ink in making Lebezyatnikov look like a
pompous fool. For Dostoevsky, these intellectual movements are nothing more
than adventures in self-servitude and elevating oneself above others. And that
hubris and pride has destructive consequences.
I agree that Dostoevsky is definitely making a statement about pride throughout Crime and Punishment. Hubris has been the downfall of almost every character in the novel that we have seen so far, in line with a common but important literary theme idea used in countless books. I do not agree, however, that Sonya has no pride whatsoever. She defends herself when Luzhin accuses her of stealing in the previous chapter, and she worships Raskolnikov for standing up for her and preserving what little self-esteem she has. True, Sonya is always thinking of how she can help others, and she has sacrificed much in order to carry out that assistance. The difference between Sonya and the other characters in the novel is that she limits her pride with modesty and prudence, despite her profession, and never allows hubris to get the better of her. True, she may seem naive at times, but I believe that being overly trustful is less of a fault than allowing pride to distort one's soul and putting others down in order to elevate oneself.
ReplyDeleteIt's important to discern between hubris and pride, as one carries qualities of destructive arrogance while the other is general enough to encompass feelings of self-esteem, which I find hard to cast as a destructive characteristic. Raskolnikov's conflict between hubris and meekness is quite interesting; he claims that the very act of questioning himself whether he has the right to kill is proof that he does not have that right. If he doubts himself in this manner, then does Raskolnikov ever truly demonstrate the self-importance necessary to carry out the murder? Or did "the devil" kill Alyona and Lizaveta for him?
ReplyDeleteI agree that many of the characters carry pride and hubris as a shield from the world, however I disagree that Sonya has no pride. Sonya has pride, but she wears it not as a shield blocking the world but as blanket. She has pride to protect herself when little else will, but can easily block the world and cut down jerks like Luzhin; the important part is how the pride is worn. Similarly, she also does not allow hubris to interfere in her life. Basically every other major character is arrogant in some way, but Sonya is willing to put aside herself for her family and forgive a murderer when she knows no one else will. I think in Dostoevsky's commentary on the human race, Sonya is the one embodiment of the good in people.
ReplyDeleteI think that Dostoevsky criticizes pride in part V, but only in the context of critiquing idealism. Lebezyatnikov is the epitome of an idealistic communist as Luzhin is the stereotypical capitalist. Both men are criticized for their pride, but Sonya is commended for her faith. Sonya's pride is separated from the others because she is not the idealistic religious russian woman. Sonya gets offended when Raskolnikov questions her faith, but she does not believe that piety leads to perfection. Her pride is not looked on negatively because of the real world applications and motives behind her beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Shannon in that the difference between pride and hubris is important to note. I think Raskolnikov's "quest" of sorts is to discover whether what he thinks is his hubris can be supported. This harkens back to Lisa's point about whether Raskolnikov is putting himself to a test in order to find out whether he is extraordinary. Chapter 4 essentially answers her statement, and Raskolnikov admits that by questioning himself, he was proven wrong. What I found interesting was how Raskolnikov says that he was lying to himself. Razumikhin's views on lying seemed positive, but he believes that creating one's own lie is better than living someone else's truth. This idea would fall in line with Raskolnikov's article, but Raskolnikov, I think, realizes that all the excuses he had given himself were other people's truths, and his own lie or reality or expression of hubris does not make him happier, which was his goal in being enlightened or at least in discussing the murder with Sonya.
ReplyDeleteI think your point about hubris goes back to Marmeladov's admitting that he is wretched before God. I think acknowledging depravity and accepting suffering are two ways in which Dostoyevsky posits that one can seek salvation (Sonya in Chapter IV of Part V thinks that Raskolnikov can atone for his sins by accepting suffering). Sonya herself defies all social convention that would dictate that their is no point in her living, and in order to do so she sees herself as very lowly, and additionally accepts her suffering - and as of yet she seems to have the "answer" that Raskolnikov has been looking for.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I can agree with the statement that Sonya is not proud... I think she has pride; Despite being a prostitute, she holds her head high. She is proud of sacrificing herself for the good of her family, and she has a right to be. Furthermore, I am intrigued to see what happens with Raskolnikov going forward, because I am of the belief that his pride cannot be overcome.
ReplyDeleteI desperately want to say that Dost. is exploring the extremes of ideas floating around Russia at this time period. I think Dost. is pointing out the flaws in blindly sticking with an idea or principle. However, Sonya confuses me, for she is the epitome of blindly following. Blind following is the essence of faith. (I recognize that my wording may sound as though those who are religious are ignorant, and I'm not trying to say that.) So what is Dost. doing? Perhaps it does come down to pride. Marmeledov mentioned that he would be accepted by God specifically because he is unworthy, so maybe the understanding that we are all unworthy is what Dost. is getting at? I'm just confused by Sonya in general.
ReplyDelete~~evan