In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel, Crime and Punishment, the protagonist’s, Raskolnikov’s, actions mainly revolve around his article written about his theory on crime and the “extraordinary man.” This article, titled "On Crime," is fundamental to the understanding of his viewpoint. This article also has a great outcome on the novel as a whole, the focus of attention being a key theme of the novel. The design of the "extraordinary man" is addressed plainly during the course of the plot, as well as in the subliminal consequence the idea has on Raskolnikov. At times, Raskolnikov is not even conscious of the control the theory has on him. The most essential feature of the “extraordinary man” must be his ingenuity, which becomes significant in the book. This information might show how Raskolnikov, in fact, is not original, and it is possible that this disturbs him throughout the novel. …show more content…
In a meeting with detective Porfiry, Raskolnikov seems offended when Porfiry presents his psychological explanation to the crime, but he never argues what Porfiry tells him, probably for the reason that it was an actual representation of what Raskolnikov was thinking. In the final encounter of Raskolnikov and Porfiry, Porfiry acknowledges that he was fond of the article and that he essentially felt a relation with it. There is a piece of the article that points out “that the perpetration of a crime is always accompanied by illness" (Part III, Ch. V). Porfiry remarks that this suggestion is very unique, and Raskolnikov accepts this