Достоевский и мировая культура: Филологический журнал (Jun 2024)
Razumikhin in Love: The Wonderful Fate of a Secondary Character. A Discourse in the Genre of Apology
Abstract
This paper is dedicated to one of the heroes of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel Crime and Punishment, Dmitry Razumikhin, who is usually regarded as a minor, accessory character and often considered an ordinary, average, even mediocre personality in contrast to higher figures. The paper suggests that Razumikhin’s “minority” is a deceptive evaluation that overlooks the real value of the character. His importance is shown by the author through Razumikhin’s extraordinary deeds and through many complimentary remarks about him, which are very unusual for Dostoevsky’s poetics. In the novel, the opposition between the two poor students who have come to the capital from Russian provinces, have left the university as they could not pay for it, and must face their fate alone, is determined by their choices of social behavior. Raskolnikov breaks through the circumstances, trying to get everything at once by committing a terrible crime. Razumikhin is resolved to overcome his poverty by way of petty earnings, complete his university education, become a professional and a financially independent person. Choosing the way of a crime, Raskolnikov rejects the ways of Razumikhin. Of special importance is Razumikhin’s love story. He loves as a noble knight, ready to serve his lady selflessly. For Razumikhin, his love for Raskolnikov’s sister entails an all-embracing care not only for his sweetheart but for all her relatives as well, whatever might happen to them. Razumikhin’s love is a transforming and creative feeling. Dostoevsky, who knew very well the saving mission of work, saw to it that Rodion Romanovich, after his prison term, had someone to come to for advice and support. Sonya Marmeladova promised Raskolnikov her devoted love, but only the Razumikhins, Dunya and Dmitry, could help him recover and find his way in new circumstances.
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