Dreams in "The Double" and "Crime and Punishment"

Book Review # 1506

Looks at how dreams are used as insight into the fears of the characters in Dostoevsky's Novels "The Double" and "Crime and Punishment".

1,585 words () | 0 sources | 2000 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at dream sequences in Dostoevsky's novels "The Double" and "Crime and Punishment" and analyzes how they allow the reader to understand more about the psychology of the characters in a way that would be difficult to portray in the character's waking thoughts and actions.

From the Paper:

"In both The Double and Crime and Punishment, Dostoevsky describes dream sequences that are very revealing about the fears of Mr. Golyadkin and Raskolnikov. Using his characters? nightmares as a way to convey something about their psychology allows Dostoevsky to reveal the characters? mental state with an untainted honesty that is not possible in their thoughts and actions. In this way, Dostoevsky is able to crystallize and clarify the characters? deepest fears. In particular, the examination of Golyadkin's dream about his double turning everyone against him reveals that his peers? opinions of him are of the highest importance to him, and as such, his great fear is that others will dislike him. Raskolnikov's dream about the horse reveals his fear of his own weakness, his fear and repression of his past, and his fear of his own humanity and capacity for compassion."

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APA Citation:

Dreams in "The Double" and "Crime and Punishment" (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 09, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Book-Review-Dreams-in-The-Double-and-Crime-and-Punishment/1506

MLA Citation:

"Dreams in "The Double" and "Crime and Punishment"" 15 January 2012. Web. 09 Feb. 2012. <http://www.academon.com/Book-Review-Dreams-in-The-Double-and-Crime-and-Punishment/1506>