However, his indecisiveness is eliminated by the occurrence of two ironic events. One minute he tells himself, “I would like to attempt a thing like that.” After saying this, he turns around and says, “I knew I could never bring myself to it.” Raskolnikov is clearly wavering between whether or not to commit the murder. Raskolnikov vacillates over his decision. Situational irony first becomes a key device in Raskolnikov’s plot to murder the pawnbroker. They also convey Dostoevsky’s strong belief in Christianity, and they reveal his value system towards certain humans. These two concepts are vital to the transformation of Raskolnikov later in the novel. Although she is a prostitute, something considered rather base, she will be “forgiven by God” for she is a very holy person and the epitome of innocence and purity in the novel. He also explains the irony of his daughter Sonia. Marmeledov says, “Crucify me oh judge…He is the One…He will forgive my Sonia.” This statement is ironic, because Marmeladov, despite being a drunk, introduces a primary Christian message of the novel. Irony is first used in the ramblings of Marmeladov. Crime and Punishment is abundant with both verbal and situational irony, as it instigates the critical turning points of Raskolnikov’s development, and thus allow Dostoevsky to convey his message that even a murderer can be reformed and purified through guilt and the unconditional love of others. In situational irony, the unexpected happens. In verbal irony, characters say the opposite of what they mean. Irony is the contrast between what is said and what is meant, or what happens and what is expected to happen. A primary vehicle for this task is his use of the literary device irony. In Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky attempts to portray the complexity of Raskolnikov’s mental evolution. The conflict rages on throughout the whole novel, and in the end Raskolnikov’s good side wins over as he accepts his guilt, admits to his wrongness, and turns his life over to Sonia and God. The other side, inspired by the love of others and his inner goodness, is his benevolent conscience which desires to help those around him. One side, brought out by poverty and egoism, is the murderer who kills the pawnbroker. In Raskolnikov’s mind are two contrasting personalities, each demanding control over him.

The primary conflict in Crime and Punishment is the internal development of Raskolnikov’s character.

Dostoevsky raskolnikov