Solution to Nihilism

Love is: Lessons from Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The book was written at a time when nihilism was on the rise in replacement of religion in Russia. The protagonist, Raskolnikov is very much a nihilist and there are many lessons to be learned from this character. I however, want to attempt to answer the question by looking at a minor character who captivated me, Svidrigailov, and whom I believe has been neglected by many analyses.

Note: it’s important to keep in mind the overarching theme of the book, Crime and punishment. Punishment always follows crime. It may be immediate or come later, in the physical e.g., prison or inner torment e.g., guilt/psychological torture. “If the murderer has a conscience, let him suffer guilt.”

Svidrigailov is one villainous character; he embodies the characteristics of true nihilism. Unlike Raskolnikov, he is the master of his own morality; he does what he wants when he wants, values nothing and to some extent he seems free, admirably free, even from punishment…but so free that he can no longer choose, yet always smiling and laughing to himself which is something this book doesn’t show a lot. In his nihilism, he becomes the extraordinary man (Nietzsche’s ubermensch?).

How long can he sustain this though: forever? Dostoevsky doesn’t think so. It’s in the quiet moments, when he is alone that we see him fall into despair and existential boredom. Nihilism made him immune to the hurt but also robbed him of all life’s joys and fulfilment.

What is there beyond good and evil? Are you really free when you get rid of the value system?

One thing is sure, genuinely throwing out all values can lead us into committing very vile actions. Svidrigailov’s crimes are sickening; gluttony, murdering his first wife, blackmailing Dounia into marriage, abusing children (wanting to marry one). When asked why, his answer was, “why not, each of us looks after themselves…” What’s the point of virtue?

In a surprise turn of events, for him, he falls in love! With Dounia. It starts with selfish intentions, wanting her for sex only, to eventually blackmailing her into marriage. He really didn’t know what to do as this was a true and new feeling to him. Dounia was obviously repulsed and in the scene (locked in a room together), she shoots a gun at Svidrigailov which grazes his head. Svidrigailov then asks her if she could ever love him and she responds, “never.” She would rather die as she thought of him as pure evil. Shockingly, he lets her go without harming her or blackmailing her further. For once, he cared about another more than himself. He is left alone, in utter despair.

The time for punishment had finally come. Following that scene, he strangely started engaging in kind acts like sending money to Sonya and Raskolnikov, Katarina and the children, his young wife, and a large chunk of money to Dounia. Before his death, he was having nightmares of his perversions, visions of the girl he tortured leading her to unalive herself and seeing the ghost of his first wife. His nihilism had shattered and he was coming to terms with the idea that all his deeds might have actually mattered. His love for Dounia had freed him…but, it was too much for him so he went out and committed suicide. Just like that, he ceased to exist.

Regarding his punishment: why suicide though? Why not just go to jail and redeem himself for forgiveness by society? Why not actually go to America, give up/forget all and start afresh?

I cannot stress enough how rich this book is. Read it and find out.

_{Also read the post below} ⬇️⬇️ ⬇️_{The post above is a follow-up to it.}

Nihilism: Meaning/meaningless of life