This article is dedicated to such a hero of the most famous Dostoevsky novel as Porfiry Petrovich. Crime and Punishment was published by the author in 1866. In the work, Porfiry is one of the central characters.
general characteristics
Porfiry Petrovich (Crime and Punishment) is an investigator serving in one of the police units in St. Petersburg. He is conducting the case of the robbery and murder of Alena Ivanovna, the old woman-percent, as well as Lizaveta, her sister. Porfiry Petrovich (Crime and Punishment) remains without a surname in the work. His surname is not mentioned anywhere (but in the “Brothers Karamazov” there is a hero Porfiry Petrovich Znamensky). Two months before the events, the investigator drew attention to the article “On the crime” written by Raskolnikov (which he learned about through the editor, since it was published anonymously). It justified the murder for ideological reasons by a man of the "highest rank".
What is the basis of the conflict between the main character and Porfiry Petrovich?
The basis of the conflict between Raskolnikov and Porfiry Petrovich is a dispute about the essence of the crime. The killer in conversation with him sets out his thoughts about the right for "extraordinary people" to commit a crime. Porfiry, having no evidence, exposing disbelief in God, the dualistic worldview and metaphysical roots of the protagonist's nihilism, makes it clear that he is exposed. The astute investigator gradually brings the suspect into a nervous breakdown , effectively making him confess. However, the appearance of Mikolka, who takes the blame, frustrates Porfiry Petrovich’s plans. Nevertheless, he is sure that Mikolka has nothing to do with it. The investigator feels affection for the killer. After all, the feelings of the protagonist were also familiar to such a person as Porfiry Petrovich (Crime and Punishment). He considers Rodion a “terrible fighter” if he still manages to find real faith. Porfiry convinces the protagonist to confess himself in order to regain peace in life. The investigator is represented in the novel by a subtle psychologist and an intelligent person. Constant eavesdropping as a method of interrogation confuses Raskolnikov and convinces Porfiry that he is the killer.
The first meeting of heroes
Rodion went to the investigator for the first time with a laugh. Porfiry was dressed in a dressing gown, at home, in worn shoes and clean linen. He was a man of about 35 years old, full, below average height, without a sideburn and mustache, shaved, with tightly cut hair. Raskolnikov is convinced that Porfiry knows everything about him. He does not dissuade him. They argue about the causes and essence of crimes. Porfiry mentions an article by Rodion written on this subject.
The second meeting of Raskolnikov with the investigator
The next meeting was also initiated by Raskolnikov. He already hated this man without measure. However, he was forced to go to him in order to dispel the suspicions that were incurred by reckless behavior. Porfiry Petrovich in a conversation hints to the protagonist that he is a suspect. He predicts that Raskolnikov’s freedom will not be sweet, and he will eventually confess.
The investigator says terrible things. But he likes to do this in the form of a joke, which offends Raskolnikov more than hints. Porfiry Petrovich seeks to prosaicly debunk Rodion’s idea, to belittle it in his eyes. Raskolnikov turns into a comedian the laugh of an investigator. Rodion rebels against humiliation and comes across this.
The investigator comes to Rodion home
Only at the last moment does Porfiry Petrovich lose his mask. “Crime and Punishment” is a novel in which the investigator speaks with the suspect openly only when he comes to his apartment. He sympathizes with Rodion, wishes good to this young man.
However, Porfiry Petrovich is a provocateur, whose duty is to draw out a confession from the suspect. Investigator Raskolnikov is compassionate. He loves him in his own way, and Rodion can not determine in any way when Porfiry is serious, and when he is joking.
Porfiry is a mystery to Raskolnikov, a magnet from which he pushes off and reaches for. To the will of Rodion, the investigator contrasts his own. Such is Porfiry Petrovich (Crime and Punishment), the characterization of which is given in this article.
Raskolnikov, exhausted by the fear of exposure, suddenly feels how weak he is. Only when he arrives at Rodion’s apartment, the investigator does not giggle, does not laugh. And this finishes off the protagonist Porfiry Petrovich (Crime and Punishment). "In which chapter is this happening?" - the reader may ask a question. In the sixth part of the work (second chapter).
Killing Rodion's ideas
Rodion gradually realizes that he is not Napoleon at all and is not able, like his idol, who sacrificed quietly the lives of many people, to cope with his conscience after the murder of only one old woman. Raskolnikov feels that his crime, unlike the actions of the French emperor, is unaesthetic, shameful. He is trying to understand where he made a mistake. The main character thinks: "The old lady is nonsense!" He "killed the principle", could not step over ordinary human feelings.