Author: Mason Muir

The connection between Raskolnikov and Revelations is how women observe men because different perspectives are portrayed but the same basic principle remains intact. In the Bible it’s a woman is shown by an angel to John, in Crime and Punishment Raskolnikov is shown to his mother when he is behind bars. It’s noted that when his mother was dying “these visits had become a habit and almost a necessity for him, and he was positively distressed when she was ill for several days and could not come to see him. She used to meet him on holidays at the prison gates or in the guard-room, to which he would be brought for a few minutes to be with her” (1274). Even after being convicted of murder, he was still granted the liberty of seeing his mother. Or more importantly, his mother was still willing to see him. The worst possible crime to commit was done by him but his mother looked past the bars and saw him. The bars act as symbolism since they represent Raskolnikov being unable to make it to heaven. He is barred from being with his mom which would be considered the most desirable thing for him. Similarly in the Bible, an angel showed John “a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns” (Revelations 17:3). Here John is observing a woman that has done horrible things. John is in the place of Raskolnikov’s mother here and is trying to determine how such a person could be real. There is something there though that forces him to keep observing her and wanting to know more even though he knows in his heart she is a bad person (and according to biblical law). That woman is similarly barred away from getting into heaven as well because her actions have forced her to never attain the desired state. The definition of heaven after analyzing these texts seems to be: the acceptance of and welcoming of death- to die happy. A person cannot die happy if they think they won’t be going to heaven. Quite possibly the most anxious and scary time in a human’s life is when they are dying. To have a person live and agony and fear while they die is proper judgment according to Christians. And proper judgment towards the woman and Raskolnikov according to those stories.

In the film, Seraphima’s Extraordinary Adventures and the novel Crime and Punishment themes of not taking responsibility relate to the bible because Jesus tries to say the world’s suffering is not his fault. Firstly, in Dostoevsky’s novel the character, Nikolai finally ends up admitting to the murder of characters Alyona and Lizaveta. He announces to Porfiry and Raskolnikov, “Aliona Ivanovna and her sister Lizaveta Ivanovna, I . . . killed . . . with an axe. Darkness came over me,” he added suddenly, and fell silent again” (862). Right away, if thinking in the context of the bible one may link the idea of Judas being a traitor and getting Jesus killed to that scene. But what’s strange is Nikolai didn’t actually kill anyone. An interesting connection that could be made is when Jesus is questioned about if he is the true messiah. Frankly, his response seems almost lazy because all he says is “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (St John 18:36). So whenever things don’t go right he decides to say that in a place that doesn’t evidently exist is where all things are right. If people murder, kill, abuse, and hurt others on Earth he can’t do anything about it is seemingly what he said. Just as Nikolai blamed a “darkness” that came over him as the reason he killed two innocent people. He did not accept it was him who needed to take responsibility for the death of Alyona and Lizaveta. Which actually makes sense since he didn’t do it. But Jesus did not accept the pain of others when he is allegedly god manifested in human form. If he is god he is responsible for keeping people safe and happy. If he is not god then he should not be allowed to make the ridiculous claim he is. Hiding behind the deception of heaven is a very manipulative idea to use on people and he takes advantage of them. This links to 6:32 in the film Seraphima’s Extraordinary Adventures where a girl is punished for something she didn’t do. The girl punished has reached across the table yanking a slice of bread to give it back to the person next to her. It was wrong for the other girl to have stolen it but the teacher is unaware of who stole it which leads to her making false assumptions. The girl who stole the bread does not take responsibility for her actions and makes another person suffer for her actions. But she does not care since it does not affect her personally. Jesus should not be so easily compared to little girls who haven’t learned how to take responsibility.

The Gospel of John relates to Crime and Punishment because they both deal with people who face disabilities. Going from reading about Moses freeing the Israelites to read about what Jesus announced there is a very huge difference in ego. It never felt like Moses was boastful as he was a very spiritual and enlightened individual who believed in the power of the Lord to guide him. Then there’s Jesus who flat out says “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). Not very modest. Sure, he has good intentions and he appears to be trying to inspire others but it almost feels fraudulent. He is trying so hard to convince others he is the son of God that he says absurd statements like he, a human, is the single light of the world. He could understand his potential symbolic significance but that seems unlikely. Instead, it seems he is trying to convince others he is the true son of God. Because keep in mind, there were around 23 other people also claiming to be the son of god at the time Jesus was alive. But Jesus needed to provide conviction so he began to work “miracles.” It’s not clear what these story depictions really mean or if they are remotely possible. Jesus found a blind man, cured him then the man “said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see” (John 9:26). Very sketchy and hard to believe when taken literally. But the more important idea to focus on is how a disability faded away when he put his faith in Jesus. Focusing on finding a solution to an issue and putting one’s faith that positive energy will lead to success is an amazing lesson to find. In Crime and Punishment, it’s revealed that Alexdrovna felt the need to ask “‘Do you suppose that my tears, my pleas, my illness, my possible death from grief, our poverty would have made him pause? No, he would calmly have disregarded all obstacles. And yet it isn’t that he doesn’t love us!’” (566). Although it seems horrible for someone so close to not care for a person using Jesus’s teachings, a new lesson can be learned. Finding oneself in a situation where hope for help is met by disregard and disrespect towards a person can hurt. Just as how being born blind could feel like God wronged the person. But if one carries on and continues to yearn for a brighter future and does not let obstacles pull them down they will find happiness has many forms. Even in the darkest of times, positive light can shine through.