Raskolnikov
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Proper noun A fictional character in Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment; the impoverished former student who murders an elderly pawnbroker and her sister, driven by a nihilistic theory that extraordinary individuals are beyond conventional morality.
Usage
- Raskolnikov is the protagonist and anti-hero of Dostoevsky's psychological drama.
- The novel explores Raskolnikov's internal torment following his crime.
- Critics often analyze Raskolnikov's ideology as a form of Utilitarian nihilism.
Examples
- In , Raskolnikov commits a brutal double murder.
- Raskolnikov's theory divides humanity into "ordinary" and "extraordinary" men.
- The police inspector Porfiry Petrovich patiently unravels Raskolnikov's guilt.
Advanced Usage
- As an archetype: The name "Raskolnikov" is sometimes used archetypally to refer to an intellectual tormented by guilt or a person who believes themselves above the law.
- The politician's amoral justification for his actions was compared to that of a modern-day Raskolnikov.
- Etymology & Symbolism: The character's surname derives from the Russian word "raskol," meaning "schism" or "split," symbolizing his divided psyche and his alienation from society.
Variants and Related Words
- Rodya: A diminutive, affectionate form of his first name (Rodion) used by his family and close friends in the novel.
- Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov: The character's full name.
Synonyms
- Protagonist (in the context of this specific novel)
- Anti-hero (a central character who lacks conventional heroic attributes)
Notes
- Raskolnikov is not used in idioms or phrasal verbs, as it is a proper noun referring to a specific literary character.
- The character is central to discussions of existentialism, moral philosophy, and psychological realism in literature.
Noun
- a fictional character in Dostoevsky's novel `Crime and Punishment'; he kills old women because he believes he is beyond the bounds of good or evil