Elleanore Ruth D’Water Mrs. Farmer AP Literature March 13, 2024 In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, the authors skillfully navigate the thematic terrain of mortality and immortality, exploring the profound implications of these concepts on human consciousness and morality. Shelley's narrative confronts the consequences of immortality's scientific ambition, portraying mortality as an immutable aspect of human existence that defies manipulation. Conversely, Dostoevsky delves into the existential crises of characters grappling with mortality, portraying immortality as a metaphysical yearning that transcends physical life. Through rich character development, intricate symbolism, and philosophical inquiry, …show more content…
His existential crisis is further exacerbated by his exaggerated thanatophobia, or fear of death, which forces him to confront the ultimate consequences of his choices. Throughout the novel, Raskolnikov's anxiety serves as a catalyst for introspection, leading him to the realization that murder is merely a temporary solution to the everlasting problem of poverty- his reason for murdering the pawnbroker. Dostoevsky’s rich psychological insight and vivid imagery portrays mortality as an inescapable reality that compels characters to confront the complexities of human nature and wrestle with the eternal questions of life, death, and the ironic possibility of redemption. Raskolnikov's journey towards redemption is rife with irony, stemming from his staunch belief in his own superiority, even amidst his dire poverty, which he uses to justify his heinous crime of murder. Initially resistant to the notion of moral redemption, Raskolnikov's gradual realization of the weight of his actions propels him towards a path of repentance and self-discovery, leading him to grapple with his conscience and seek solace in