In "The Revolt Against Mother Earth", Ivanov presents an argument that Raskolnikov not only revolts against humanity and Christianity, but nature and Earth. By reconnecting with the "people" of Russia in Siberia, Raskolnikov is able to leave the world he has created in his mind, and accept the true world around him. Raskolnikov also must accept responsibility for his actions to finally pass judgement upon himself. Ivanov points out that all men in the world must condemn themselves and have been condemned because of humanity's collective free will. All suffering is shared because humanity "is one man".
Ivanov first points out Raskolinikov as having two very distinct sides. He then draws comparisons between Dostoevsky's character and a similar character from Pushkin's "Queen of Spades". Both characters try overcome their adversary - as represented by an old woman embodying Mother Nature. By destroying the embodiment of Mother Nature he argues the novel shows that crimes are not individual, but are committed against an entire community.
Ivanov looks at many elements with his piece, “The Revolt Against Mother Earth,” specifically the deep relationship between Pushkin and Dostoevsky, and Dostoevsky’s religious awakening. Ivanov begins by comparing Crime and Punishment to Pushkin’s The Queen of Spades. Both novels focus on poor, intelligent men left behind by Russian society. Many of the elements of the two novels are similar: the setting in St. Petersburg, a fixation on Napoleon and Caesar, and murder of the pawnbroker. Ivanov then shifts to focus on the change in Dostoevsky’s personality and understanding. “For Dostoevsky the people itself is the all-unifying, universal human principle, which, in all its sinfulness and humiliation, embraces God and stands opposed to the isolated personality that is in conflict with God.” For Dostoevsky there is no utilitarian good for all people, nor is there individuality, perhaps as Ivanov argues there is only “one man,” there is only one soul, a collective human soul which judges the living and the dead.
In "The Revolt Against Mother Earth", Ivanov presents an argument that Raskolnikov not only revolts against humanity and Christianity, but nature and Earth. By reconnecting with the "people" of Russia in Siberia, Raskolnikov is able to leave the world he has created in his mind, and accept the true world around him. Raskolnikov also must accept responsibility for his actions to finally pass judgement upon himself. Ivanov points out that all men in the world must condemn themselves and have been condemned because of humanity's collective free will. All suffering is shared because humanity "is one man".
ReplyDeleteIvanov first points out Raskolinikov as having two very distinct sides. He then draws comparisons between Dostoevsky's character and a similar character from Pushkin's "Queen of Spades". Both characters try overcome their adversary - as represented by an old woman embodying Mother Nature. By destroying the embodiment of Mother Nature he argues the novel shows that crimes are not individual, but are committed against an entire community.
ReplyDeleteIvanov looks at many elements with his piece, “The Revolt Against Mother Earth,” specifically the deep relationship between Pushkin and Dostoevsky, and Dostoevsky’s religious awakening. Ivanov begins by comparing Crime and Punishment to Pushkin’s The Queen of Spades. Both novels focus on poor, intelligent men left behind by Russian society. Many of the elements of the two novels are similar: the setting in St. Petersburg, a fixation on Napoleon and Caesar, and murder of the pawnbroker. Ivanov then shifts to focus on the change in Dostoevsky’s personality and understanding. “For Dostoevsky the people itself is the all-unifying, universal human principle, which, in all its sinfulness and humiliation, embraces God and stands opposed to the isolated personality that is in conflict with God.” For Dostoevsky there is no utilitarian good for all people, nor is there individuality, perhaps as Ivanov argues there is only “one man,” there is only one soul, a collective human soul which judges the living and the dead.
ReplyDelete