So, I would like to comment on the literary ability of an author to make the audience sympathize with the "bad guy." We can bring this back to Paradise Lost as some of us found ourselves sympathizing with Satan in all of his troubles. The same can be said of our not so virtuous characters in Crime and Punishment. I love Rodya! The only times I dislike him are when, in his delirium, he almost spills the beans on what he has done. Is it bad that I felt bad that he missed the money that would have been untraceable in his robbery?
One thing that this device doesn't encompass, for me at least, is the drunkard Mr. M. Perhaps the situation hitsa little to close to home for me, but I just can't feel sorry for him. I think he's slime. But maybe you guys can share your feelings, or lack there of, for him based on his description in the text. One of my biggest questions about the whole Crime is WHY? Why exactly did he do it? Was it just for the money? Because if that is the case then he isn't really doing much with it now. Or, should we take what he said in his delirium to Mr. Z seriously in that "if he were the killer" he would go back for the hidden goods when the whole thing has brushed over.
And what happens next? We have seen the crime so will the punishment come later? He seems to be slowly reveling himself to those who could bring about this punishment.
ps commented on Will's
Sometimes, it's more fun to like the villain. Sympathizing with the villain always makes me think about what is actually good, and what is actually evil. It puts me in a place I wouldn't normally go, into the head of someone who has committed a heinous act. But it always reminds me that I am not in any way, shape, or form, perfect. And it always reminds me that God finds all sin evil, and none is worse to him than any other. So in a way, we're all villains in God's eyes.
ReplyDeletePossibility: Maybe he killed the ladies because he wanted to have money to protect his sister and give her an option out of poverty. I think his purpose in killing lies in the statement of one being killed for the sake of many....This "sacrifice" on behalf of the selfish rich woman to take care of the poor....which when linked together can take our Western minds to a very uncomfortable place ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's good!! However, I thought he was planning/questioning/contemplating to kill her before he was given the letter from his mother?
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