Carrying the Cross Through Crime and Punishment
By Sylvan Martin
“His limbs were weak, each moment they grew more numbed and stiff……He pulled out the hatchet, raised it with both hands, and let it descend without force, almost mechanically, on the old woman’s head” (76). The classic novel Crime and Punishment emphasizes the idea of internal and physical suffering through our actions, therefore mimicking the biblical theme of each person bearing their own cross. Raskolnikov commits a terrible crime that puts a tremendous weight on his shoulders, which immediately leads to severe internal turmoil from this new burden he now must carry. The New Testament outlines a similar “weight” on the shoulders of Jesus and his disciples because of their choice to follow God and living their life for him. Themes within the New Testament can be hard to see applied in modern life; however, by analyzing Crime and Punishment morally and allegorically, readers today can see these same themes lived out right before their eyes, giving them a better understanding of the applicability of faith to current dilemmas.
Burden’s have been shown to have numerous effects on the people carrying them, one being mental tolls. Raskolnikov is one of those people, living within a dark cloud of anguish inside his head, therefore mimicking Judas who was also deeply affected mentally from his actions. “The conviction that everything, even memory, even simple reasoning power was abandoning him, began to torment him unbearably” (90). There seems to already be a change within Raskolnikov’s mind. He is making mistakes that he wouldn’t normally make, and this is only one morning after he committed the murder. Judas on the other hand might not have physically killed Jesus, but his actions are arguably just as evil. Shortly after betraying Jesus to his death, Mathew 27:3 says, “… he was filled with remorse”. Although both Raskolnikov and Judas are both burdened mentally, why they feel burdened differs immensely. Judas has actual regret, however Raskolnikov doesn’t necessarily regret anything, he only is struggling with the pressure of his actions. This pressure naturally brings fear. “His former fear again came over him entirely, from head to foot” (106). Perhaps getting caught isn’t what gives Raskolnikov fears, instead maybe he is afraid of this new life he must live. This new lie he must sell to those around him every day successfully. Although he might enjoy this challenge to prove he is more sophisticated than those around him, it still will be a daunting task. Judas couldn’t live with this burden, like Raskolnikov, and decided to take his own life. The parallel between Judas and Raskolnikov shows how burdens can affect a person mentally, however each person might be affected a little differently and handle it in a different way.
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