(326 words) The crime and punishment of Raskolnikov are still in the center of attention of scriptwriters, directors and other creative people, because this plot inspires them again and again. There are already dozens of plays, films, illustrations and even a musical based on this novel by Dostoevsky. However, viewers and readers are still arguing about the reasons for the fateful act of the hero. This question has several answers, therefore it is not easy to put an end to it. In my essay, I will name only the main reasons that I consider to be the main ones.
First, Rodion could not test his theory otherwise, and the logic of thought inexorably led him to this act. The hero himself was kind and sensitive, so he decided for a long time on a crime, but without him his reasoning did not make sense. If the world is divided into great and ordinary, none of us would like to classify ourselves as "trembling creatures." So the proud, intelligent and gifted young man sought to break out of the helpless herd and become the arbiter of fate. What for? Not only from selfishness. Being at the bottom of social life, he saw that everything was arranged incorrectly, and longed to change it. But only the “right having” could do this. It is necessary to go beyond the boundaries of philistine morality in order to turn into it.
Secondly, the circumstances are as follows. Shortly before the crime, Raskolnikov met Marmeladov and spoke with him. Having learned about the life of an unfortunate family, the hero took up arms against the self-loving old woman-interest-bearer, who profits from such people. While someone is selling himself to feed his children, Alena Ivanovna uses other people's tragedies to earn money. As a first step, Rodion wanted to eliminate at least this injustice.
Thirdly, the hero was deprived of the opportunity to study and work, his mind was not busy with anything but harmful thoughts. His forced inactivity was aggravated by loneliness, poverty and awareness of his own superiority. Rodion was worthy of a better life, but he had no opportunities in tsarist Russia. Without connections and money, all paths came down to humiliation. Therefore, he was embittered at the world and was in a desperate situation.
Thus, the unfortunate young man was simply driven by the disasters and bad weather surrounding him. This version is confirmed in the epilogue, where Raskolnikov repents of his deed when harmony returns to his soul.
