Characteristics and image of Sonya Marmeladova in the novel Crime and Punishment of Dostoevsky's work. Sonya Marmeladova: characterization of the heroine of the novel "Crime and Punishment" Stepbrothers and sisters of Sonya Marmeladova


While serving a term in hard labor, Dostoevsky conceived the novel The Drunk Ones. The difficult life, the corresponding environment, the stories of prisoners - all this prompted the writer to the idea of ​​describing the life of an impoverished ordinary Petersburger and his relatives. Later, already in the wild, he began to write another novel, where he entered the previously conceived characters. The images and characteristics of the members of the Marmeladov family in the novel "Crime and Punishment" occupy a special place among other characters.



This family is a symbolic image that characterizes the life of ordinary ordinary people, a collective one - people living almost on the verge of a final moral downfall, however, despite all the blows of fate, who managed to preserve the purity and nobility of their souls.

Marmalade family

The Marmeladovs occupy almost a central place in the novel, they are very closely connected with the main character. Almost all of them played a very important role in the fate of Raskolnikov.

At the time Rodion met this family, it consisted of:

  1. Marmeladov Semyon Zakharovich - the head of the family;
  2. Katerina Ivanovna - his wife;
  3. Sofya Semyonovna - Marmeladov's daughter (from his first marriage);
  4. children of Katerina Ivanovna (from her first marriage): Polenka (10 years old); Kolya (seven years old); Lidochka (six years old, still called Lenechka).

The Marmeladov family is a typical family of philistines who have sunk almost to the very bottom. They don't even live, they exist. Dostoevsky describes them like this: as if they are not even trying to survive, but simply live in hopeless poverty - such a family "has nowhere else to go." It is scary not so much that the children found themselves in such a situation, but that the adults seem to have come to terms with their status, do not seek a way out, do not seek to get out of such a difficult existence.

Marmeladov Semyon Zakharovich

Head of the family, with which Dostoevsky introduces the reader at the time of Marmeladov's meeting with Raskolnikov. Then gradually the writer reveals the life path of this character.

Marmeladov once served as a titular adviser, but he drank himself, was left without a job and practically without a livelihood. He has a daughter from his first marriage - Sonya. At the time of the meeting between Semyon Zakharovich and Raskolnikov, Marmeladov had been married to a young woman Katerina Ivanovna for four years. She herself had three children from her first marriage.

The reader will learn that Semyon Zakharovich married her not so much out of love, but out of pity and compassion. And they all live in St. Petersburg, where they moved a year and a half ago. At first, Semyon Zakharovich finds a job here, and quite a decent one. However, due to his addiction to drinking, the official very soon loses her. So, through the fault of the head of the family, the whole family is begging, left without a livelihood.

Dostoevsky does not tell - what happened in the fate of this man, what broke once in his soul so that he began to drink, in the end - he drank himself, which doomed the children to begging, brought Katerina Ivanovna to consumption, and his own daughter became a prostitute, so that at least somehow earn and feed three young children, a father and a sick stepmother.

Listening to the drunken outpourings of Marmeladov, involuntarily, however, the reader is imbued with sympathy for this man who has fallen to the very bottom. Despite the fact that he robbed his wife, begged for money from his daughter, knowing how she earns it and why, he is tormented by pangs of conscience, he is disgusted with himself, his soul hurts.

In general, many heroes of "Crime and Punishment", even very unpleasant at the beginning, eventually come to the realization of their sins, to an understanding of the full depth of their fall, some even repent. Morality, faith, inner mental suffering are characteristic of Raskolnikov, Marmeladov, and even Svidrigailov. Who can not stand the pangs of conscience and commits suicide.

Here is Marmeladov: he is weak-willed, cannot cope with himself and stop drinking, but he sensitively and accurately feels the pain and suffering of other people, injustice towards them, he is sincere in his good feelings towards his neighbors and honest to himself and others. Semyon Zakharovich did not harden in his fall - he loves his wife, daughter, children of his second wife.

Yes, he did not achieve much in the service, he married Katerina Ivanovna out of compassion and pity for her and her three children. He remained silent when his wife was beaten, was silent and endured when his own daughter went to the bar to feed his children, stepmother and father. And Marmeladov's reaction was weak-willed:

"And I ... lay drunk, sir."

He can’t even do anything, he just can’t drink alone - he needs support, he needs to confess to someone who will listen to him and console him, who will understand him.

Marmeladov prays for forgiveness - the interlocutor, the daughter whom the saint considers, his wife, her children. In fact, his prayer is addressed to a higher authority - to God. Only the former official asks for forgiveness through his listeners, through his relatives - this is such a frank cry from the depths of the soul that it evokes in the listeners not so much even pity as understanding and sympathy. Semyon Zakharovich is executing himself for his weakness of will, for his fall, for his inability to stop drinking and start working, for having come to terms with his current fall and not looking for a way out.

Sad result: Marmeladov, being very drunk, dies after falling under a horse. And perhaps this is the only way out for him.

Marmeladov and Raskolnikov

The hero of the novel meets Semyon Zakharovich in a tavern. Marmeladov attracted the attention of a poor student with a contradictory appearance and an even more contradictory look;

“It was as if even enthusiasm shone, - perhaps, there was both sense and intelligence, - but at the same time, madness seemed to flicker.”

Raskolnikov drew attention to the drunken little man, and eventually listened to the confession of Marmeladov, who spoke about himself and his family. Listening to Semyon Zakharovich, Rodion once again understands that his theory is correct. The student himself during this meeting is in some strange state: he decided to kill the old money-lender, driven by the "Napoleonic" theory of superhumans.

At first, the student sees an ordinary drunkard frequenter of taverns. However, listening to Marmeladov's confession, Rodion is curious about his fate, then imbued with sympathy, not only for the interlocutor, but also for his family members. And this is in that feverish state when the student himself is focused only on one thing: "to be or not to be."

Later, fate brings the hero of the novel to Katerina Ivanovna, Sonya. Raskolnikov helps the unfortunate widow with a commemoration. Sonya, with her love, helps Rodion to repent, to understand that not everything is lost, that one can still know both love and happiness.

Katerina Ivanovna

Middle-aged woman, about 30. She has three young children from her first marriage. However, enough suffering and grief, trials have already fallen to her lot. But Katerina Ivanovna did not lose her pride. She is smart and educated. As a young girl, she was carried away by an infantry officer, fell in love with him, ran away from home to get married. However, the husband turned out to be a player, eventually lost, he was judged and soon died.

So Katerina Ivanovna was left alone with three children in her arms. Her relatives refused to help her, she had no income. The widow and children were in complete poverty.

However, the woman did not break down, did not give up, she was able to maintain her inner core, her principles. Dostoevsky characterizes Katerina Ivanovna in the words of Sonya:

she “... seeks justice, she is pure, she believes so much that there should be justice in everything, and demands ... And even torture her, but she does not do anything unfair. She herself does not notice how all this is impossible to be fair in people, and gets annoyed ... Like a child, like a child!

In an extremely distressed situation, the widow meets Marmeladov, marries him, tirelessly busies around the house, caring for everyone. Such a hard life undermines her health - she falls ill with consumption and on the day of Semyon Zakharovich's funeral she herself dies of tuberculosis.

Orphaned children are sent to an orphanage.

Children of Katerina Ivanovna

The skill of the writer manifested itself in the highest way in the description of the children of Katerina Ivanovna - so touchingly, in detail, realistically, he describes these eternally hungry children, doomed to live in poverty.

"... The smallest girl, about six years old, was sleeping on the floor, somehow sitting, crouching and burying her head in the sofa. The boy, a year older than her, was trembling all over in the corner and crying. He had probably just been nailed. The older girl , about nine years old, tall and thin as a match, in one thin shirt, torn everywhere, and in a shabby dradedam’s burnous coat thrown over her bare shoulders, sewn probably two years ago, because it now did not reach even to her knees, stood in the corner near the little brother, clasping his neck with her long hand, dried up like a match, she ... followed her mother with her big, big dark eyes, which seemed even larger on her emaciated and frightened face ... "

It touches to the core. Who knows - it's possible that they end up in an orphanage, a better way out than to stay on the street and beg.

Sonya Marmeladova

The native daughter of Semyon Zakharovich, 18 years old. When her father married Katerina Ivanovna, she was only fourteen. Sonya has a significant role in the novel - the girl had a huge influence on the main character, became Raskolnikov's salvation and love.

Characteristic

Sonya did not receive a decent education, but she is smart and honest. Her sincerity and responsiveness became an example for Rodion and awakened in him conscience, repentance, and then love and faith. The girl suffered a lot in her short life, she suffered from her stepmother, but she did not harbor evil, she was not offended. Despite the lack of education, Sonya is not stupid at all, she reads, she is smart. In all the trials that fell to her lot during such a short life so far, she managed not to lose herself, retained the inner purity of her soul, her own dignity.

The girl was capable of complete self-sacrifice for the good of others; she is endowed with the gift to feel someone else's suffering as her own. And then she thinks least of all about herself, but only about how and with what she can help someone who is very ill, who suffers and needs even more than she does.

Sonya and her family

Fate seemed to test the girl for strength: at first she began to work as a seamstress to help her father, stepmother and her children. Although at that time it was accepted that the family should be supported by a man, the head of the family, however, Marmeladov turned out to be absolutely incapable of this. The stepmother was sick, her children were very small. The seamstress's income was insufficient.

And the girl, driven by pity, compassion and a desire to help, goes to the panel, receives a “yellow ticket”, becomes a “harlot”. She suffers greatly from the realization of her external such a fall. But not once Sonya reproached her drunken father or her sick stepmother, who knew perfectly well what the girl was now working for, but they themselves were unable to help her. Sonya gives her earnings to her father and stepmother, knowing full well that the father will drink this money away, but the stepmother will be able to somehow feed her little children.

meant a lot to a girl

"the thought of sin and they, those ... poor orphans and this pathetic half-crazy Katerina Ivanovna with her consumption, with her head banging against the wall."

This kept Sonya from wanting to commit suicide because of such a shameful and dishonorable occupation, which she was forced to engage in. The girl managed to preserve her inner moral purity, to preserve her soul. But not every person is able to save himself, to remain a man, going through all the trials in life.

Sonya Love

It is not by chance that the writer pays such close attention to Sonya Marmeladova - in the fate of the protagonist, the girl became his salvation, and not so much physical as moral, moral, spiritual. Having become a fallen woman, in order to be able to save at least the children of her stepmother, Sonya saved Raskolnikov from a spiritual fall, which is even worse than a physical fall.

Sonechka, sincerely and blindly believing in God with all her heart, without reasoning or philosophizing, turned out to be the only one capable of awakening in Rodion humanity, if not faith, but conscience, repentance for what he had done. She simply saves the soul of a poor student who has lost his way in philosophical discussions about the superman.

The novel clearly shows the opposition of Sonya's humility to Raskolnikov's rebelliousness. And it was not Porfiry Petrovich, but it was this poor girl who was able to direct the student on the true path, helped to realize the fallacy of his theory and the severity of the crime committed. She suggested a way out - repentance. It was her who obeyed Raskolnikov, confessing to the murder.

After the trial of Rodion, the girl followed him to hard labor, where she began working as a milliner. For her kind heart, for her ability to sympathize with other people, everyone loved her, especially the prisoners.



The spiritual revival of Raskolnikov became possible only thanks to the selfless love of the poor girl. Patiently, with hope and faith, Sonechka takes care of Rodion, who is sick not so much physically, but spiritually and mentally. And she manages to awaken in him the awareness of good and evil, to awaken humanity. Raskolnikov, if he had not yet accepted Sonya's faith with his mind, accepted her beliefs with his heart, believed her, in the end he fell in love with the girl.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the writer in the novel reflected not so much the social problems of society as more psychological, moral, spiritual. The whole horror of the tragedy of the Marmeladov family is in the typicality of their destinies. Sonya became a bright ray here, who managed to preserve a person in herself, dignity, honesty and decency, purity of soul, despite all the trials that fell to her. And today, all the problems shown in the novel have not lost their relevance.

Dostoevsky wrote his novel "Crime and Punishment" after hard labor. It was at this time that Fyodor Mikhailovich's convictions took on a religious connotation. The denunciation of an unjust social order, the search for truth, the dream of happiness for all mankind were combined in this period in his character with disbelief that the world can be remade by force. The writer was convinced that evil cannot be avoided under any social structure. He believed that it comes from the human soul. Fyodor Mikhailovich raised the question of the need for the moral improvement of all people. So he decided to turn to religion.

Sonya is the ideal writer

Sonya Marmeladova and Rodion Raskolnikov are the two main characters of the work. They are like two opposite streams. The ideological part of "Crime and Punishment" is their worldview. Sonechka Marmeladova is a writer. This is the bearer of faith, hope, sympathy, love, understanding and tenderness. According to Dostoevsky, this is how every person should be. This girl is the epitome of truth. She believed that all people have an equal right to life. Sonechka Marmeladova was firmly convinced that it was impossible to achieve happiness through crime - neither someone else's nor one's own. Sin is always sin. It does not matter who committed it and in the name of what.

Two worlds - Marmeladova and Raskolnikov

Rodion Raskolnikov and Sonya Marmeladova exist in different worlds. Like two opposite poles, these heroes cannot live without each other. The idea of ​​rebellion is embodied in Rodion, while Sonechka Marmeladova personifies humility. This is a deeply religious, highly moral girl. She believes that life has a deep inner meaning. Rodion's ideas that everything that exists is meaningless are incomprehensible to her. Sonechka Marmeladova sees divine predestination in everything. She believes that nothing depends on the person. The truth of this heroine is God, humility, love. For her, the meaning of life is the great power of sympathy and compassion for people.

Raskolnikov, on the other hand, ruthlessly and passionately judges the world. He cannot tolerate injustice. It is from here that his crime and mental anguish in the work "Crime and Punishment" stem. Sonechka Marmeladova, like Rodion, also steps over herself, but she does it in a completely different way than Raskolnikov. The heroine sacrifices herself to other people, and does not kill them. In this, the author embodied the idea that a person has no right to personal, selfish happiness. It is necessary to learn patience. True happiness can only be achieved through suffering.

Why Sonya takes Rodion's crime to heart

According to Fyodor Mikhailovich, a person needs to feel responsible not only for his actions, but also for any evil done in the world. That is why Sonya feels that there is her fault in the crime committed by Rodion. She takes the act of this hero to heart and shares his difficult fate. Raskolnikov decides to reveal his terrible secret to this particular heroine. Her love revives him. She resurrects Rodion to a new life.

High internal qualities of the heroine, attitude towards happiness

The image of Sonechka Marmeladova is the embodiment of the best human qualities: love, faith, sacrifice and chastity. Even being surrounded by vices, forced to sacrifice her own dignity, this girl retains the purity of her soul. She does not lose faith that there is no happiness in comfort. Sonya says that "man is not born for happiness." It is bought by suffering, it must be earned. The fallen woman Sonya, who ruined her soul, turns out to be a "man of high spirit." This heroine can be put on the same "rank" with Rodion. However, she condemns Raskolnikov for contempt for people. Sonya cannot accept his "rebellion". But it seemed to the hero that his ax was raised in her name too.

Collision between Sonya and Rodion

According to Fyodor Mikhailovich, this heroine embodies the Russian element, the folk principle: humility and patience, and to man. The clash between Sonya and Rodion, their opposing worldviews are a reflection of the writer's internal contradictions that disturbed his soul.

Sonya hopes for a miracle, for God. Rodion is convinced that there is no God, and it is pointless to wait for a miracle. This hero reveals to the girl the futility of her illusions. Raskolnikov says that her compassion is useless, and her sacrifices are futile. It is not at all because of the shameful profession that Sonechka Marmeladova is a sinner. The characterization of this heroine, given by Raskolnikov during the clash, does not hold water. He believes that her feat and sacrifices are in vain, but at the end of the work, it is this heroine who revives him to life.

Sonya's ability to penetrate a person's soul

Driven by life into a hopeless situation, the girl tries to do something in the face of death. She, like Rodion, acts according to the law of free choice. However, unlike him, she did not lose faith in humanity, as Dostoevsky notes. Sonechka Marmeladova is a heroine who does not need examples to understand that people are kind by nature and deserve the brightest share. It is she, and only she, who is able to sympathize with Rodion, since she is not embarrassed by either the ugliness of his social fate or physical ugliness. Sonya Marmeladova penetrates the essence of the soul through its "scab". She is in no hurry to judge anyone. The girl understands that external evil always lurks incomprehensible or unknown reasons that led to the evil of Svidrigailov and Raskolnikov.

The heroine's attitude towards suicide

This girl stands outside the laws of the world that torments her. She is not interested in money. She of her own free will, wanting to feed her family, went to the panel. And it was precisely because of her unshakable and firm will that she did not commit suicide. When the girl faced this question, she carefully considered it and chose the answer. In her position, suicide would have been selfish. Thanks to him, she would be spared from torment and shame. Suicide would have pulled her out of the "stinking pit." However, the thought of the family did not allow her to decide on this step. Marmeladova's measure of determination and will is much higher than Raskolnikov assumed. In order to refuse suicide, she needed more stamina than in order to commit this act.

Debauchery for this girl was worse than death. However, humility excludes suicide. This reveals the whole strength of the character of this heroine.

Sonya Love

If you define the nature of this girl in one word, then this word is loving. Her love for her neighbor was active. Sonya knew how to respond to the pain of another person. This was especially evident in the episode of Rodion's confession to the murder. This quality makes her image "ideal". The verdict in the novel is pronounced by the author from the standpoint of this ideal. Fyodor Dostoevsky, in the image of his heroine, presented an example of all-forgiving, all-encompassing love. She does not know envy, does not want anything in return. This love can even be called unspoken, because the girl never talks about it. However, this feeling overwhelms her. Only in the form of deeds does it come out, never in the form of words. Silent love only becomes more beautiful from this. Even the desperate Marmeladov bows before her.

The mad Katerina Ivanovna also falls down before the girl. Even Svidrigailov, that eternal lecher, respects Sonya for her. Not to mention Rodion Raskolnikov. This hero was healed and saved by her love.

The author of the work, through reflection and moral quest, came to the idea that any person who finds God looks at the world in a new way. He starts to rethink it. That is why in the epilogue, when the moral resurrection of Rodion is described, Fyodor Mikhailovich writes that "a new story begins." The love of Sonechka Marmeladova and Raskolnikov, described at the end of the work, is the brightest part of the novel.

The immortal meaning of the novel

Dostoevsky, rightly condemning Rodion for his rebellion, leaves the victory to Sonya. It is in her that he sees the highest truth. The author wants to show that suffering purifies, that it is better than violence. Most likely, in our time, Sonechka Marmeladova would be an outcast. The image in the novel of this heroine is too far from the norms of behavior accepted in society. And not every Rodion Raskolnikov will suffer and suffer today. However, as long as the "peace stands", the soul of a person and his conscience are always alive and will live. This is the immortal meaning of the novel by Dostoevsky, who is rightfully considered a great writer and psychologist.

The novel "Crime and Punishment" was written by Dostoevsky after hard labor, when the writer's convictions took on a religious connotation. The search for truth, the denunciation of the unjust world order, the dream of the "happiness of mankind" in this period were combined in the character of the writer with disbelief in the violent alteration of the world. Convinced that evil cannot be avoided in any structure of society, that evil comes from the human soul, Dostoevsky rejected the revolutionary path of transforming society. Raising the question only of the moral improvement of each person, the writer turned to religion.

Rodion Raskolnikov and Sonya Marmeladova- the two main characters of the novel, appearing as two oncoming streams. Their worldview is the ideological part of the work. Sonya Marmeladova - the moral ideal of Dostoevsky. It brings with it the light of hope, faith, love and sympathy, tenderness and understanding. This is what a person should be like, according to the writer. Sonya personifies Dostoevsky's truth. For Sonya, all people have the same right to life. She firmly believes that no one can achieve happiness, both their own and someone else's, through crime. Sin remains sin, no matter who commits it and in the name of what.

Sonya Marmeladova and Rodion Raskolnikov exist in completely different worlds. They are like two opposite poles, but they cannot exist without each other. The idea of ​​rebellion is embodied in the image of Raskolnikov, the idea of ​​humility is embodied in the image of Sonya. But what is the content of both rebellion and humility is the topic of numerous disputes that do not stop at the present time.

Sonya is a highly moral, deeply religious woman. She believes in the deep inner meaning of life, she does not understand Raskolnikov's ideas about the meaninglessness of everything that exists. She sees the predestination of God in everything, believes that nothing depends on a person. Its truth is God, love, humility. The meaning of life for her lies in the great power of compassion and sympathy of man for man.

Raskolnikov, on the other hand, passionately and mercilessly judges the world with the mind of an ardent rebellious personality. He does not agree to put up with life's injustice, and hence his mental anguish and crime. Although Sonya, like Raskolnikov, steps over herself, she still steps over not like him. She sacrifices herself to others, and does not destroy, does not kill other people. And this embodied the author's thoughts that a person has no right to egoistic happiness, he must endure, and through suffering achieve true happiness.

According to Dostoevsky, a person should feel responsible not only for his own actions, but also for any evil that happens in the world. That is why Sonya feels that she is also to blame for Raskolnikov's crime, that is why she takes his act so close to her heart and shares his fate.

It is Sonya who reveals his terrible secret to Raskolnikov. Her love revived Rodion, resurrected him to a new life. This resurrection is expressed symbolically in the novel: Raskolnikov asks Sonya to read from the New Testament the gospel scene of the resurrection of Lazarus and correlates the meaning of what he read with himself. Touched by Sonya's sympathy, Rodion goes to her for the second time already as to a close friend, he himself confesses to her the murder, tries, confused in reasons, to explain to her why he did it, asks her not to leave him in misfortune and receives an order from her: to go to the square, kiss the earth and repent before all the people. Sonya's advice reflects the thought of the author himself, who seeks to bring his hero to suffering, and through suffering to redemption.

In the image of Sonya, the author embodied the best qualities of a person: sacrifice, faith, love and chastity. Surrounded by vice, forced to sacrifice her dignity, Sonya was able to maintain the purity of her soul and the belief that "there is no happiness in comfort, happiness is bought by suffering, a person is not born for happiness: a person deserves his happiness, and always suffering." Sonya, who "transgressed" and ruined her soul, "a man of high spirit", of the same "rank" with Raskolnikov, condemns him for contempt for people and does not accept his "rebellion", his "axe", which, as it seemed to Raskolnikov, was raised and in her name. The heroine, according to Dostoevsky, embodies the folk principle, the Russian element: patience and humility, boundless love for man and God. The clash between Raskolnikov and Sonya, whose worldview is opposed to each other, reflects the internal contradictions that disturbed the writer's soul.

Sonya hopes for God, for a miracle. Raskolnikov is sure that there is no God and there will be no miracle. Rodion mercilessly reveals to Sonya the futility of her illusions. He tells Sonya about the futility of her compassion, about the futility of her sacrifices. It is not the shameful profession that makes Sonya a sinner, but the vainness of her sacrifice and her feat. Raskolnikov judges Sonya with other scales in his hands than the prevailing morality, he judges her from a different point of view than she herself.

Driven by life into the last and already completely hopeless corner, Sonya is trying to do something in the face of death. She, like Raskolnikov, operates according to the law of free choice. But, unlike Rodion, Sonya did not lose faith in people, she does not need examples to establish that people are by nature kind and deserve a brighter share. Only Sonya is able to sympathize with Raskolnikov, since she is not embarrassed by either physical ugliness or the ugliness of social fate. It penetrates "through the scab" into the essence of human souls, is in no hurry to condemn; feels that some unknown or incomprehensible reasons lurk behind external evil that led to the evil of Raskolnikov and Svidrigailov.

Sonya internally stands outside money, outside the laws of the world that torments her. Just as she herself, of her own free will, went to the panel, so, by her own firm and invincible will, she did not lay hands on herself.

Sonya was faced with the question of suicide - she thought it over and chose the answer. Suicide, in her position, would be too selfish a way out - it would save her from shame, from torment, it would rescue her from the stinking pit. “After all, it would be more fair,” exclaims Raskolnikov, “it would be a thousand times fairer and more reasonable to put your head in the water and do it all at once! - And what will happen to them? - Sonya asked weakly, looking at him with pain, but at the same time, as if not at all surprised at his proposal. Sonya's measure of will and determination was higher than Rodion could have imagined. She needed more stamina, more self-reliance, to keep herself from committing suicide than to throw herself headfirst into the water. It was not so much the thought of sin that kept her from the water, but "about them, her own." Sonya debauchery was worse than death. Humility does not involve suicide. And this shows us the strength of Sonya Marmeladova's character.

Sonya's nature can be defined in one word - loving. Active love for one's neighbor, the ability to respond to someone else's pain (especially deeply manifested in the scene of Raskolnikov's confession to the murder) make the image of Sonya "ideal". It is from the standpoint of this ideal that the verdict is pronounced in the novel. In the image of Sonya Marmeladova, the author presented an example of a comprehensive, all-forgiving love contained in the character of the heroine. This love is not envious, does not require anything in return, it is even kind of unspoken, because Sonya never talks about it. It overflows her whole being, but never comes out in the form of words, only in the form of deeds. This is silent love, and that makes it even more beautiful. Even the desperate Marmeladov bows before her, even the mad Katerina Ivanovna prostrates herself before her, even the eternal lecher Svidrigailov respects Sonya for this. Not to mention Raskolnikov, whom this love saved and healed.

The heroes of the novel remain true to their beliefs, despite the fact that their faith is different. But both of them understand that God is one for all, and he will show the true path to everyone who feels his closeness. The author of the novel, through moral searches and reflections, came to the idea that every person who comes to God begins to look at the world in a new way, rethinks it. Therefore, in the epilogue, when the moral resurrection of Raskolnikov takes place, Dostoevsky says that "a new history begins, the history of the gradual renewal of man, the history of his gradual rebirth, his gradual transition from one world to another, acquaintance with a new, hitherto completely unknown reality."

Having rightly condemned Raskolnikov's "rebellion", Dostoevsky leaves the victory not for the strong, intelligent and proud Raskolnikov, but for Sonya, seeing in her the highest truth: better is suffering than violence - suffering cleanses. Sonya professes moral ideals, which, from the point of view of the writer, are closest to the broad masses of the people: the ideals of humility, forgiveness, silent humility. In our time, most likely, Sonya would become an outcast. And not every Raskolnikov in our day will suffer and suffer. But the human conscience, the human soul has lived and will always live as long as "the world stands still." This is the great immortal meaning of the most complex novel created by a brilliant writer-psychologist.

Materials about the novel by F.M. Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment".

immortal image

Some heroes of classical literature gain immortality, live next to us, this is exactly what the image of Sonya turned out to be in Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment. By her example, we learn the best human qualities: kindness, mercy, self-sacrifice. It teaches us to love devotedly and to believe in God selflessly.

Acquaintance with the heroine

The author does not introduce us to Sonechka Marmeladova right away. She appears on the pages of the novel when a terrible crime has already been committed, two people died, and Rodion Raskolnikov ruined his soul. It seems that nothing in his life can be corrected. However, acquaintance with a modest girl changed the fate of the hero and revived him to life.

For the first time we hear about Sonya from the story of the unfortunate drunken Marmeladov. In confession, he talks about his unfortunate fate, about a starving family, and pronounces the name of his eldest daughter with gratitude.

Sonya is an orphan, the only native daughter of Marmeladov. Until recently, she lived with her family. Her stepmother Katerina Ivanovna, a sick, unfortunate woman, was exhausted so that the children would not die of starvation, Marmeladov himself drank the last money, the family was in dire need. Out of desperation, a sick woman often got irritated over trifles, made scandals, reproached her stepdaughter with a piece of bread. The conscientious Sonya decided on a desperate step. In order to somehow help the family, she began to engage in prostitution, sacrificing herself for the sake of her relatives. The story of the poor girl left a deep mark on Raskolnikov's wounded soul long before he personally met the heroine.

Portrait of Sonya Marmeladova

The description of the girl's appearance appears on the pages of the novel much later. She, like a silent ghost, appears on the threshold of her native home during the death of her father, crushed by a drunk cab driver. Timid by nature, she did not dare to enter the room, feeling vicious and unworthy. A ridiculous, cheap, but bright outfit indicated her occupation. "Meek" eyes, "pale, thin and irregular angular face" and the whole appearance betrayed a meek, timid nature, which had reached the extreme degree of humiliation. "Sonya was small, about seventeen years old, thin, but rather pretty blonde, with wonderful blue eyes." This is how she appeared before the eyes of Raskolnikov, this is the first time the reader sees her.

Character traits of Sofia Semyonovna Marmeladova

A person's appearance is often deceiving. The image of Sonya in Crime and Punishment is full of inexplicable contradictions. A meek, weak girl considers herself a great sinner, unworthy of being in the same room with decent women. She is embarrassed to sit down next to Raskolnikov's mother, she cannot shake hands with his sister, fearing to offend them. Sonya can easily be offended and humiliated by any scoundrel, like Luzhin or the landlady. Defenseless against the arrogance and rudeness of the people around her, she is not able to stand up for herself.

A complete characterization of Sonya Marmeladova in the novel "Crime and Punishment" consists of an analysis of her actions. Physical weakness and indecision are combined in it with great mental strength. Love is at the core of her being. For the love of her father, she gives him the last money for a hangover. For the love of children, he sells his body and soul. For the sake of love for Raskolnikov, he follows him to hard labor and patiently endures his indifference. Kindness and the ability to forgive distinguish the heroine from other characters in the story. Sonya does not hold a grudge against her stepmother for a crippled life, she does not dare to condemn her father for weakness of character and eternal drunkenness. She is able to forgive and feel sorry for Raskolnikov for the murder of Lizaveta, who is close to her. “There is no one more unhappy than you in the whole world,” she tells him. To treat the vices and mistakes of the people around you in this way, you must be a very strong and whole person.

Where does a weak, fragile, humiliated girl get such patience, endurance and inexhaustible love for people? Faith in God helps Sonya Marmeladova to stand on her own and lend a helping hand to others. "What would I be without God?" - the heroine is sincerely perplexed. It is no coincidence that the exhausted Raskolnikov goes to her for help and tells her about his crime. The faith of Sonya Marmeladova helps the criminal first confess to the murder, then sincerely repent, believe in God and start a new happy life.

The role of the image of Sonya Marmeladova in the novel

The main character of F. M. Dostoevsky's novel "Crime and Punishment" is considered to be Rodion Raskolnikov, since the plot is based on the story of the hero's crime. But the novel cannot be imagined without the image of Sonya Marmeladova. The attitude, beliefs, actions of Sonya reflect the life position of the author. A fallen woman is pure and innocent. She fully atones for her sin with a comprehensive love for people. She is “humiliated and insulted” not a “trembling creature” according to Raskolnikov’s theory, but a respectable person who turned out to be much stronger than the main character. Having gone through all the trials and suffering, Sonya did not lose her basic human qualities, did not betray herself and suffered happiness.

Moral principles, faith, Sonya's love turned out to be stronger than Raskolnikov's egoistic theory. After all, only by accepting the beliefs of his girlfriend, the hero acquires the right to happiness. The beloved heroine of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky is the embodiment of his innermost thoughts and ideals of the Christian religion.

Artwork test

The image of an immaculate and at the same time sinful angel in the novel "Crime and Punishment" became a real sensation for the public. opened a different side of life for readers. The personality of Sonya Marmeladova was different from the usual literary characters. Her crime, humility and desire to atone for guilt have become moral guidelines for all those who are confused.

Crime and Punishment

Dostoevsky collected the basis for the novel during his own hard labor exile. In Siberia, the writer did not have the opportunity to write, but there was enough time for interviews with the exiles and their relatives. Therefore, the images of the main characters of the novel have a collective character.

Initially, the novel was conceived by the author as a story-confession. The narration was conducted in the first person, and the main task for Dostoevsky was to show the inner psychological truth of a confused person. The writer was carried away by the idea, and a serious story grew into a novel.


Initially, her role in the novel "Crime and Punishment" was secondary, but after several edits, the image of the main character took an important place in the story. With the help of Sonya, Dostoevsky conveys to readers an important idea of ​​the novel:

“Orthodox view, in which there is Orthodoxy. There is no happiness in comfort, happiness is bought by suffering. Man is not born to be happy. Man deserves his happiness, and always by suffering.

Analysis of the work proves that the author did an excellent job with the task. Sonya is the personification of suffering and redemption. The characterization of the heroine is revealed to the reader gradually. All quotes about a former prostitute are filled with love and care. Dostoevsky, along with worries about the fate of the girl:

“... Oh yes Sonya! What a well, however, they managed to dig! And enjoy! That's because they use it! And got used to it. We cried and got used to it. A scoundrel-man gets used to everything!

Biography and plot of the novel

Sofya Semyonovna Marmeladova was born in the family of a petty official. The girl's father is an elderly man who earns little and likes to drink. Sonya's mother died a long time ago, the girl is brought up by her stepmother. The father's new wife has a mixture of feelings for her stepdaughter. All dissatisfaction with the failed life Katerina Ivanovna takes out on an innocent girl. At the same time, the woman does not feel hatred for the younger Marmeladova and tries not to deprive the girl of attention.


Sonya did not receive an education, because, according to her father, she does not differ in intelligence and ingenuity. The trusting and good-natured heroine blindly believes in God and meekly serves the interests of the Marmeladovs and the children of her stepmother from her first marriage.

The girl is already 18 years old, although the appearance of the heroine would be more suitable for a child: blond hair, blue eyes, an angular figure:

“She could not even be called pretty, but her blue eyes were so clear, and when they were animated, her expression became so kind and simple-hearted that it involuntarily attracted her.”

The family lives in the Russian outback, but after the loss of their father's permanent income, the Marmeladovs move to St. Petersburg. In the capital, Semyon Zakharovich quickly finds a job and just as quickly loses it. The authorities are not ready to put up with the drunkenness of the employee. Providing for the family falls entirely on Sonya.


Left without a livelihood, the girl sees one way out - to quit her job as a seamstress, which brought too little money, and get a job as a prostitute. For shameful earnings, the girl was expelled from the apartment. Sonya lives separately from her relatives, rents a room from a familiar tailor:

“... my daughter, Sofya Semyonovna, was forced to get a yellow ticket, and on this occasion she could not stay with us. For the hostess, Amalia Fedorovna, did not want to allow that.

A girl of easy virtue received a “yellow ticket” from the government - a document proving that the young lady was selling her body. Even shameful work does not save the Marmeladov family.

Semyon Zakharovich dies under the hooves of a carriage horse. In the hustle and bustle, the first acquaintance of the girl with Raskolnikov takes place. The man is already familiar with the girl in absentia - Sonya's difficult fate was told in all details to Rodion by the elder Marmeladov.

Financial assistance from a stranger (Rodion Raskolnikov pays for his father's funeral) touches the girl. Sonya goes to thank the man. This is how the difficult relationship of the main characters begins.

In the process of organizing a funeral, young people spend a lot of time talking. Both feel like outcasts of society, both seek solace and support. The mask of a cold cynic, which the main character hides behind, falls, and the true Rodion appears before pure Sonya:

“He suddenly changed; his arrogant and impotently defiant tone disappeared. Even the voice suddenly weakened ... "

The death of Marmeladov finally undermined the health of his stepmother. Katerina Ivanovna dies of consumption, and Sonya is left to take care of the younger members of the family. Help for the girl comes unexpectedly - Mr. Svidrigailov arranges the babies in an orphanage and provides the younger Marmeladovs with a comfortable future. In such a terrible way, the fate of Sonya settled down.


But the desire to make sacrifices pushes the girl to the other extreme. Now the heroine intends to devote herself to Raskolnikov and accompany the prisoner into exile. The girl is not afraid that a loved one killed an old woman to test a crazy theory. The truth of Marmeladova is that love, faith and selflessness will heal and guide Rodion on the right path.

In Siberia, where the main character is sent, Sonya gets a job as a seamstress. The shameful profession remains in the past, and, despite the coldness of the young man, Sonya remains faithful to Rodion. The patience and faith of the girl bring results - Raskolnikov realizes how much he needs Marmeladova. The reward for the two wounded souls was the joint happiness that came after the redemption of sins.

Screen adaptations

The first film dedicated to the crime of Raskolnikov was filmed in 1909. The role of the faithful companion of Rodion was played by actress Alexandra Goncharova. The motion picture itself has long been lost, copies of the film do not exist. In 1935, American filmmakers filmed their version of the tragedy. The image of the immaculate sinner went to actress Marian Marsh.


In 1956, the French showed their own view of the drama of a confused person. She played the role of Sonya, but in the film adaptation the name of the main character was replaced with Lily Marselin.


In the USSR, the first picture about the fate of Raskolnikov came out in 1969. The director of the picture is Lev Kulidzhanov. Sophia Semyonovna Marmeladova was played by Tatyana Bedova. The film was included in the program of the Venice Film Festival.


In 2007, the series "Crime and Punishment" was released, in which the image of the main character was embodied.


The serial film was not liked by most film critics. The main claim is that Rodion Raskolnikov does not experience human feelings. The hero is obsessed with malice and hatred. Repentance never touches the hearts of the main characters.

  • Dostoyevsky's first child was named Sonya. The girl died a couple of months after birth.
  • In St. Petersburg, the heroine lived in the building of the former state chamber. This is a real house. Sony's exact address is Griboyedov Canal Embankment, 63.
  • The rap artist uses the name of the main character from Crime and Punishment as a pseudonym.
  • In the first version of the novel, Sonya's biography looks different: the heroine comes into conflict with Dunya Raskolnikova and becomes the object of Luzhin's insane but immaculate love.

Quotes

“You departed from God, and God struck you, betrayed you to the devil!”
"Suffering to accept and redeem yourself with it, that's what you need ..."
“... And tell everyone out loud: “I killed!” Then God will send you life again. Will you go? Will you go?..”
“What are you doing to yourself! No, there is no one more unhappy than you now in the whole world!
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