Feburary 20th

Why does Raskolnikov keep giving his money away?

In a city like St. Petersburg, where many people expirience the depths of poverty, Raskolnikov is bound to see people in far worse situations than he. As a result of his pity, Raskolnikov keeps giving his money away.

Rakolnikov feels bad for Marmeladov and the way his family must depend on their daughter, Sonia, who earns money as a prostitute to support at least four other people. This he learned after having heard Marmeladov's drunken ramblings in a bar. He brings the man back home, only to see the shithole in which they live. He realizes the situation they're in and gives them all the money he had left in his pockets thinking, 'without my money, they might not have a thing tomorrow.' He feels bad for Sonia, for Marmeladov, and for Katherine Ivanova, his wife- all of whom had gotten used to their destituted lives.

Another person Raskolnikov feels bad for is the young girl he sees in the park who is a complete mess. She was drunk and vulnerable, and he assumed she'd been taken advantage of. He felt so bad for her, he gave a policeman money to take care of her. He has a moment of compassion here, which tells us that our protagonist is might have some good in him. He's overcome with anger and pity, which makes him give away twenty kopecks for the safety of someone he has no ties to at all.

Marmeladov's family seems to be on the receiving end of Raskolnikov's generosity quite often. When he's killed, Raskolnikov gives Sonia money for her father's funeral. He knows their story, and knows that a funeral is the last thing they can afford. Raskolnikov often finds himself feeling bad for people who are in worse conditions than he, and feels compelled to do something about it. THis definatly says something contradictory about his character.

Raskolnikov is an enigma. He murders and pays for funerals. He feels contempt and compassion, and this sense of inner conflict makes him give away his money- it shows us he really isn't that bad.