The Role of Marmelodov in Fyodor Dostoevskys Crime and...

A Taste of Marmeladov In Fyodor Dostoevskys novel, Crime and Punishment, Marmeladov is a minor character whose story is told in only a few short chapters of the first two books, and yet, Marmeladov plays an important role in the novel. Both Marmeladov and Raskolnikov are desperate men trying to function in a bleak world. Both men feel alienated in a world which has no meaning. Despite his miserable existence, Marmeladov hopes to find salvation through his anguish. Marmeladov reflects the themes of guilt and suffering that Raskolnikov later shares. Dostoevsky suggests that suffering is the only path to redemption. Raskolnikov first meets Marmeladov at a dirty tavern. His clothes are ragged and soiled and he has a yellow, even†¦show more content†¦Once considered higher in class, she is now the lowest of the poor. Out of desperation, Katerina forces Sonya to sell her body in order for the family to survive, since Marmeladov does little for support. The three small children of Katerina seem to suffer the worst from Marmeladovs drunkenness as they are all thin as a matchstick (25) and are dressed in rags. They are beaten constantly by Katerina out of frustration of her life with the alcoholic Marmeladov. It seems that everyone touched by Marmeladov ends up worse than they started. Marmeladov commits terrible deeds in order to fulfill his selfish desires which he, himself, does not understand. First he steals the money that he has brought home for Katerina, then he borrows money from his daughter, who has prostituted herself for it. Marmeladov is desperate; however, he cannot help his drinking problem and continues to spend every kopeck on alcohol. He recognizes that he is a swine (15) and a born brute (15) and weeps in despair over his crying children and his furious wife. He truly wants to be a better father but cannot get beyond this depression. Marmeladov feels great amounts of guilt for his drinking, but his meaningless existence depresses him so much that he does nothing. He is more than poor, he is destitute. Marmeladov explains why alcohol consumes his entire life: In poverty