Crime and Punishment- Rask and Raz

We all have faults in our lives. Many that are hidden and few that are made public. Often times we find it even hard to confide in our closest friends about our problems, for fear of rejection or misunderstanding. However, nine times out of ten, a true friend will continue to love and help instead of judge and give up on you.

Raskolnikov is a mentally ill character. He commits a murder and is constantly freaking out on others and losing his cool, even towards his best friend, Razumikhin. Razumikin takes care of Raskolnikov. He is the peacemaker in the friendship. He tries so hard to understand Raskolnikov, but cannot quite get inside his head. He worries a lot for Raskolnikov. Razumikhin complements Raskolnikov throughout the entire book. If it were not for Razumikhin's determination to stick with his friend through thick and thin, the reader would not be able to see the potential that is within Raskolnikov. Razumikhin is often considered Raskolnikov's foil: kind, sociable, and humble. Although, Raskolnikov is very intelligent, Razumikhin is not as smart as Raskolnikov. However, it is Razumikhin's respect and admiration for Raskolnikov that convince the reader that there is more to him than just a selfish, psychopathic killer.

They both end up with a lover. Raskolnikov finds love with Sonia, the prostitute, and Razumikhin falls in love with Raskolnikov's sister, Dounia. Both of these couples were not predicted. Sonia is a poor girl who gave herself over to prostitution to provide for her family. She was in no way a prospect of love in Raskolnikov's eyes. But in a way, Raskolnikov is attracted to those who are in sorrow and pain. He feels like he can connect with her. Dounia was already engaged before Razumikhin came and won her over. Razumikhin filled in for Raskolnikov when he was needed most by his family. He had made a promise to Raskolnikov that he would protect his family. Now that he is with Dounia, he can make this promise happen. Although Raskolnikov is not always there for his family, he does have a big heart like Razumikhin. Like Razumikhin, Raskolnikov tries to help out Marmeladov and his family by giving money to them... money that Raskolnikov really does not have.

They are also both poor and young. The only difference is that Razumikhin does not just sit back and throw himself a pity party, but instead he looks for ways to make money, even if it is not something most people would ever do. He works hard for a living, where as Raskolnikov just barely gets by.