Crime and Punishment Post

Crime and Punishment is interesting because of what it does not say in the title. Although the novel does detail Raskolnakov's crime as well as emotional and governmental punishment, it does not tell the reader the result: Redemption. In the beginning of this novel, Raskolnakov's first instincts appear to be the noble ones. He impulsively leaves money at Marmeldov's home for his struggling family, and it is not until later that he thinks of himself and regrets this decision. Similarly, he entreated a policeman to help protect a young girl who was feverishly stalked by a business man intending to have his way with her. It is not until after he has taken action to protect her that he resolves the predator should have this unfortunate young girl. The world is "to much with" Raskolnakov and he drifts away from these good intentions to a self serving appetite and wicked actions in the murder of Alonya and her sister. However, this was not in a passion. It was rather a heavily meditated event, perhaps suggesting that Raskolnakov is still instinctually good and therefore can be redeemed. Other characters such as Porfiry and Sonia express their faith in his redemption, Sonia perhaps as his conscience, and Porfiry as his guide. Does this tale of redemption illustrate the inherant goodness of man? Or does it dictate that we must fail, and we must redeem ourselves?

King Lear

Justice plays key roles in Shakespear's tradgedy King Lear. Throughout the play, there are multiple instances of brutality and human cruelty. This arouses the question: Can there be any justice in such a morally degraded kingdom? The characters who appear as moral and virtuouse (i.e. Kent, Cordelia, Edgar) are banished, and in their absence the cruelty of their family and peers are exposed. In the conclusion of the novel, there may be justice in that those who are menacing and evil encounter demise in death. However, those who are moral also die with them. Can there be justice in the midst of this tragic play?

Understanding Oedipus

What stopped Oedipus? It would appear that nothing stopped him, although one almost wishes something would. Nothing stopped him from killing his father, defeating the sphinx, marrying his mother, or gauging his eyes. But the truth is that Oedipus ultimately failed to understand or accept that he has fulfilled this aweful prophecy until the truth becomes utterly inescapable.
There are two genre of individuals explicitely profiled in this play. The first is the thinker--the knower; one who understands or knows all and yet fails to act. The other, is the doer; a character who does not measure consequence and lacks perception or understanding. Oedipus embodies the doer. This is ultimately why he is unable or unwilling to understand that the words of Apollo's oracle have become a reality. When the knower--Tieresias--presents to King Oedipus the knowledge that he killed his own father, Oedipus rejects the notion. His character as a doer prevents him from understanding or accepting this jolting prophecy. Still more evidence is later presented. So much so that Queen Jocasta is driven to kill herself at the knowledge that her own son, whome she has marries, killed her husband. However, it is not until the servant who took Oedipus to the mountain that fateful night finally professes that, without a doubt, Oedipus is the child whome he saved, that Oedipus finally is forced to accept this aweful realization.
In Oedipus Rex it becomes clear that it is ones character which determines what will halt you. Oedipus maintained a character and a purpose as a doer. This is what stopped him from understanding that he had fulfilled the terrible prophecy.

The Eight Edges in Practice

"Why?"
And the world steps into the moment.
And in an eternity I cannot say. In an eternity of answers and questions and fidelity I cannot say.
And I stop. And I laugh; and it is finished.
Life simply resumes.

My faith in the lord has always been a rock upon which I base my life. I have never wavered in my faith, and yet I could not fulfill my obligation in ministry. Even when I was presented with blatant opportunity—when I was asked WHY I choose to believe in Christ—I could not answer. Despite my steadfast loyalty and countless reasons why, I could not verbalize a response. This in not the only time in my life in which I have been stopped. I have failed to do something as simple as my homework as well as something as clear as defending my brother. Something stops me from making the healthy choice—the obvious choice. Ultimately, this has lead me to ponder: What is it that prevents us from doing what we know we ought to do or perhaps even what we know we cannot do; what stops us? Could it be fear, morality, or something in between?

In Annie Proloux's novel The Shipping News, her primary character Quoyle is stopped on multiple occasions. Perhaps his original challenge is leaving his wife Petal. She is abusive and cruel to both him and their young daughters. However, Quoyle cannot quit her. He constantly attempts to regain her affections. Finally, she is killed in a car accident, leaving him in her final act of infidelity. Something stopped Quoyle from leaving her, confronting her, or gaurding himself against her hurtful actions.
Yet again Quoyle stops himself in a situation of romance. When picking berries in a field with his romantic interest—and the town widow—he most nearly kisses her. However, something stops him yet again. Perhaps it was his moral integrity, or the ghost of her previous love. Whatever the reason Quoyle yet again halted in doing what he felt correct.
Ultimately Quoyle's biggest challenge is allowing himself happiness. And he is stopped, and stopped, and stopped by nothing other than his own mentality. What is it that halted Quoyle?

Today we are stopped more than ever. As a society, as a nation something gives us pause in completing our quests for those things which we desire most. As a nation legislation is proposed at a rate which is extraordinary. However, that which is passed is quite a small portion. Why is this? Something is keeping us from reform. As a society so much moral degradation has occurred. Yet the average individual, does not kill, does not steal, and what is it that prevents this? Perhaps it is our laws, or it may be a moral integrity which we all hold somewhere within us. And yet something also gives us pause when we might stand up for the individual on the street. Perhaps it is fear, or perhaps it is something different. Regardless; something stops us.
What stops us?