In Chapter 5 of the Gospel of John, Jesus heals a bedridden man on the Sabbath day. On the other hand, in chapter 2, section 7 of Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov finds a man near death after getting run over by a carriage. He does his best to try and save him, but the man ends up dying anyways. The fact that Raskolnikov can not save the dying man is a sign of how he is not a holy or respectable character, which is made evident by the many references to Catholicism and by his satisfaction in looking like a hero instead of actually trying to save the man.
On page 182 of Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov states, “At that point more steps were heard, the crowd in the entryway parted, and a priest, a gray-haired old man, appeared on the threshold with the Holy Gifts.” The main character, however, was more relieved to see the doctor, however, because he was the one who sent for him. To his disappointment, the doctor said bluntly that he would die no matter what. However, the priest heard his confession and stayed with him until his death. This obvious contrast between the spiritual and mortal world is made blatant by Dostoevsky, who shows the doctor and an uncaring character and the priest as a very moral individual. By adding in this religious factor of the main character priorities of a doctor rather than a priest, it highlights Raskolnikov’s true intentions of why he wants to save the man, rather than what his moral intentions should be. By making him an opposition to the religious factor in the book, Dostoevsky is able to emphasize the main characters true features and bad qualities.
Also, the audience is shown how the main character is very self involved during this period of chaos. Multiple times during this madness, Raskolnikov mentions not to worry about anything, and how he will pay for anything. By undertaking this role, he makes himself seem more worthy in the other characters eyes, because he so “generously” paid for everything. In the Gospel of John, Jesus healed the man because “my Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” His answer is simple, and gives all credit to God, not himself. In Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov needs the satisfaction and knowing he was the most helpful person during the event of trying to save the man, but in the end the man still dies. Instead of leaving to let the family grieve, he gives them more money, for any “compensations,” even though he only knew the man for a week. The entire time, he has this sort of arrogance about him, knowing he had the money the family didn’t. Jesus did not have any arrogance, and was able to save the bedridden man. This contrast of who survived and who died is highlighted in the different characteristics of each individual who helped care for the dying man. The fact that Raskolnikov completely contrasts Jesus’ character further shows his immoral character and unworthiness.
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