God as a Moral Judge

Paper Summary:

An analysis of how Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Woody Allen portray the role of God in the Universe in their book and film respectively. In both cases the main characters, Raskolnikov and Judah, act as a godlike figure by allowing themselves to make a decision as to who has a right to live and who should die. They finally find their place in a godless universe. Woody Allen's view is influenced by his own Judaism. Allen emphasizes that people stray from this righteous path and allow themselves to be their own moral dictators. People do not need God to relieve themselves of remorse, for in the end the guilt goes away on its own. In Crime and Punishment Raskolnikov finds happiness in the religious beliefs Sonya presents to him. His recovery from his conflict in a world he saw as godless is aided by the very deity he once scoffed.

From the Paper:

"The novel Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and the movie "Crimes and Misdemeanors" by Woody Allen both present the creator's views on the presence of God in the universe. The main character in each piece, Raskolnikov and Judah, respectively, experiment with their role in what they feel is a godless universe. In both cases they act as a godlike figure by allowing themselves to make a decision as to who has a right to live and who should die. After a moral struggle they both come to terms with their position in the universe. Dostoyevsky chooses to have Raskolnikov find peace with Sonya's religious convictions, while Allen chooses to allow Judah to rationalize his decision in what he decides is a godless universe. These final decisions regarding God's presence are reflective of the creators' opinions."

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