The protagonist of one of the most psychological works of Russian literature, the novel Crime and Punishment, bears the name Rodion Raskolnikov. He is not like the others, the efforts of ordinary people are alien to him.
Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky on the pages of his work introduces us to a peculiar twin of Rodion Romanovich - Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov. This hero declares his resemblance to Raskolnikov.
Are Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov really alike? A comparative description will help answer this question.
Appearance of Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov
A comparative description of Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov is impossible without a description of the appearance of these heroes.
They are completely different from each other. Rodion Raskolnikov is a handsome young man with dark eyes and dark blond hair . Svidrigailov is a man of about fifty years old, a broad-shouldered, blue-eyed blond with red lips.
Landmarks and ideals of heroes
Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov go in completely different ways in life. A comparative characterization (the composition of each student necessarily contains this moment) is impossible without an assessment of the way of life of the characters. Raskolnikov is a very intelligent young man, he once studied. Arkady Svidrigailov leads a wild life, drunk.
They are undoubtedly united by the fact that both characters do not accept the surrounding reality, although they show this rejection in different ways. Rodion is immersed in the development of the theory, and Arkady is looking for the truth in guilt, is debauched.
The uniqueness of the heroes
Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov (a comparative description of the heroes always marks this moment) consider themselves unique. Raskolnikov tried to confirm the theory that he himself developed, and Svidrigailov was simply convinced of his uniqueness.
However, no matter how terrible an act Rodion may have committed, the reader is involuntarily imbued with sympathy for him. Perhaps this is due to the fact that Dostoevsky very well introduces us to the inner world of the protagonist, immerses him in his thoughts and feelings.
Svidrigailov is more mercantile in his actions; he remains repulsive and mysterious to the reader.
The comparative characteristics of Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov should contain a moment that indicates the similarity of the heroes, namely, their conviction that the actions of extraordinary people can go unpunished.
The theory developed by Raskolnikov cancels moral principles and justifies not only Rodion’s crime, but also Svidrigailov’s immorality.
Nevertheless, both heroes come to repentance, Rodion admits his crime and bears punishment, Arkady takes his life.
Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov. Comparative characteristics. Similarity of heroes
So, let's talk about what unites heroes, except for belief in their own exclusiveness.
Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov, one way or another, caused the death of people. Raskolnikov took the life of the old woman-percussionist, who, according to his theory, considered "a trembling creature." Arkady Svidrigailov was also guilty of the deaths of several people, believing that such atrocities would necessarily get away with him. He was guilty of the death of a 14-year-old girl, the lackey Philip, his own wife. Svidrigailov did not develop a theory; he simply lived with the conviction of permissiveness.
Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov (a comparative characteristic cannot but reflect this moment) also commit good deeds. Rodion helps Katerina Ivanovna with her children. He is able to penetrate human misfortune. Arkady is helping daughter Katerina Ivanovna, Sonya.
Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov at the end of the work realize their own guilt. Arkady Ivanovich commits suicide, and Rodion, having learned of his death, confesses to crime.
It turns out that these heroes really have a lot in common. Differences of heroes can be represented in a table.
Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov: comparative description (table)
Rodion Raskolnikov | Arkady Svidrigailov |
Appearance |
Slender brown-eyed young man with dark brown hair. | A blue-eyed blond with red lips, a broad-shouldered man about 50 years old. |
| Landmarks and ideals, lifestyle |
He lives in isolation, develops a theory of a unique personality, is prone to philosophizing. | Leads a wild lifestyle, just believes in its originality. |
Character Features |
Firmness in intentions, the desire to impress others with his theory, puts himself above other people. | Dual nature, craving for pleasure. |
Reader Attitude to Heroes |
Causes sympathy. | It makes a repulsive impression. |
So, drawing a conclusion from all of the above, we can say that Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov have different characters, they differ from each other in temperament, lifestyle. However, the inner beliefs of the heroes are very similar. Raskolnikov is developing a theory that everything is allowed to a unique person, and Svidrigailov leads a lifestyle that confirms this theory.