- Essays
- On literature
- Dostoevsky
- The image of Sonya Marmeladova
Sonya Marmeladova is a girl who evokes in readers not only sympathy and pity, but also respect. Still very young, she tries to feed her family: her father is a drunkard, her stepmother is endlessly ill and her children. No one can blame her for the way she has to earn money. Like all girls, accustomed to work from an early age, she tried to earn an honest living by sewing, but they paid such pennies for it that there would only be enough money for water alone, and even then without bread. So the poor girl had to commit sin. At the same time, Sonya does not blame anyone for her fate; she silently endures all insults. The girl even gives all her money to her family.
Sonya is blond, blue-eyed, and despite her eighteen years, she looks younger. This is not to say that she is beautiful, but she captivates with her naivety and kindness. Dressing in the evening in a rather bright and tasteless outfit, she evokes not contempt, but pity.
Now, doing a not-so-good job, she even tries to visit her family as little as possible. Sonya rents a room so as not to disgrace her relatives with her craft. The girl’s character did not deteriorate; she was kind and selfless and remained so. How did someone so seemingly innocent and deeply Orthodox take the path of a lost woman? This is the whole essence of our existence. There are people who are willing to earn a piece of bread in almost any way. She understands that she is doing wrong, but she cannot change anything. She says more than once that everyone will be responsible for their deeds before God, and so will she.
Having met Raskolnikov, Sonya understands that he committed a crime by killing a man, she killed the man in herself. It is rare to meet a person who experiences the mistakes of others as if they were his own. She understands that any bad deed is punished. So it happened to her that God punished her for her work with the fact that she must now follow Raskolnikov of her own free will. Despite this, her pure soul continues to believe in goodness. She helps convicts free of charge, reads holy scripture to Raskolnikov, and little by little he begins to repent. It can not be in any other way. And they are already dreaming of a happy life together.
Sometimes in life there are people who, with their kindness, can make you repent and take the path of correction. The only pity is that they themselves have a very difficult time and not everyone can appreciate their desire.
Option 2
Sonechka Marmeladova is one of the most complex and contradictory images of Russian classical literature, the main character of F. M. Dostoevsky’s novel “Crime and Punishment.”
We first learn about Sonya almost at the very beginning of the work from her father, the official Marmeladov: he tells Raskolnikov his whole and her difficult fate. Sonechka is Marmeladov’s daughter from his first marriage. When she was fourteen years old, Marmeladov married a second time to Katerina Ivanovna, a widow with three small children. Marmeladov drank, there was no money. And in such an environment, Sonechka Marmeladova lived until a certain age, until Katerina Ivanovna, in one of her attacks of anger, directly spoke to her about parasite eating. But Sonechka was not a very educated girl and did not receive a proper upbringing. And, unfortunately, she could only make money in one way.
Sonechka’s appearance is pleasant, even pretty: she is a fragile, thin blonde with a gentle, “sharp” and pretty face. The expression on her face is a little frightened - Sonechka knows her place: she lives on a “yellow ticket” and people shy away from her. She is shy about people, shy about herself and her life. And the first impression is that this is not a very smart and not very distant girl.
But Sonechka has a lot of positive traits and advantages. She is kind in every sense of the word: not evil and not greedy. She has little money, and she gives tea to the children of the tailor Kapernaumov, from whom she rents a room.
Sonechka is not vindictive. How much she suffered from Katerina Ivanovna - screaming and beating, but she doesn’t remember the evil because she doesn’t want to remember. She went to the panel, and her daddy did not interfere with this, because he was lying drunk. And she never remembers it because she doesn't want to.
She is capable of sacrifice - she sacrifices her young life with all the ensuing consequences for the good of her family and other people's children. And she has a very strong will - after all, to endure all this, you have to be a very strong person. And she manages to convince Raskolnikov to accept suffering and redeem himself with it, and he agrees.
Sonechka can not only listen, but also hear and understand, which is a very rare and valuable quality. And that’s why Raskolnikov trusts her with his terrible secret. She sees what really happens to a person, and not the bare facts: he killed, but what suffering is inside.
Sonechka has God inside, and she lives according to God's commandments: she truly loves her neighbors as herself, does not condemn anyone - neither her father, nor Katerina Ivanovna. When Luzhin accuses her of stealing money, even Katerina Ivanovna stands up for Sonechka, because she never takes someone else’s. Her soul comes first - you have to obey, otherwise you will be tortured. And in her soul there is faith: Sonechka believes that her cypress cross will help Raskolnikov.
Sonya needs very little - she will always feed herself alone. She gives almost all her earnings to her father, a drunkard, and his family, without asking where the money goes.
Sonechka turns out to be very reliable and you can rely on her: she does not abandon Raskolnikov, but follows him to Siberia. There he is always nearby, regularly writes about everything to his family, because Raskolnikov is indifferent to everything and does not maintain relationships with his family. And she, thin and fragile, speaking quietly and never ingratiating herself, is respected by the prisoners for her work and love for her neighbor.
The name Sonechka Marmeladova has long become a household name, an example of a person’s combination of enormous love, patience and sacrifice, which in our time, unfortunately, are becoming increasingly rare.
Characterization of Sonya Marmeladova by other heroes
Raskolnikov
Having learned Sonya's sad story, Raskolnikov is indignant at how selfishly all the Marmeladovs use her sacrifice.
“Oh yes Sonya! What a well, however, they managed to dig! and enjoy it! That's why they use it! And we got used to it. We cried and got used to it .” (Part 1, chapter II)
Rodion treats Sonya with pity and compassion, a gentle, touching girl who has experienced so much in her lifetime.
“..But, looking more closely, he suddenly saw that this humiliated creature was already so humiliated that he suddenly felt sorry. When she made a move to run away from fear, something seemed to turn over in him.” (Part 3, chapter IV)
“He looked at her warmly and almost compassionately for a minute.
- How thin you are! Look what a hand you have! Completely transparent. Fingers like those of a dead person.” (Part 4, chapter IV)
“I didn’t bow to you, I bowed to all human suffering.” (Raskolnikov kissed Sonya’s foot, part 4, chapter IV)
Despite Sonya's social status, Raskolnikov was able to see the inner nobility and dignity in the girl. He deliberately equates her with his sister and mother.
“- But in my opinion, you, with all your merits, are not worth the little finger of this unfortunate girl at whom you throw a stone.
“So, would you dare to introduce her into the company of your mother and sister?”
“—I already did it, if you want to know. Today I sat her next to my mother and Dunya.” (Part 4, chapter II)
Raskolnikov is fascinated by Sonya and her beautiful eyes.
“He kept wanting to look into her quiet, clear eyes, and somehow it all didn’t work out that way...” (Part 3, chapter IV)
Rodion is deeply outraged by the sacrifice that Sonya made to save Katerina Ivanovna and her children.
“...most of all, you are a sinner because you needlessly killed and betrayed yourself . This wouldn't be terrible! It wouldn’t be terrible that you live in this filth, which you hate so much, and at the same time you know yourself (you just have to open your eyes) that you’re not helping anyone and you’re not saving anyone from anything!” (Part 4, chapter IV)
Raskolnikov sincerely does not understand how Sonya can coexist in her soul with holiness and sinfulness, and considers her crazy.
“Tell me finally,” he said, almost in a frenzy, “how are such shame and such baseness combined in you next to other opposite and holy feelings? After all, it would be fairer, a thousand times fairer and smarter, to dive straight into the water and end it all at once!” (Part 4, chapter IV)
“But who said that she wasn’t already crazy? Is she sane? Is it possible to speak like her? Is it possible in a sane mind to reason like she does? Is it really possible to sit above death, right above the stinking pit into which she is already being drawn, and wave her arms and cover her ears when they tell her about danger? What, is she waiting for a miracle? And probably so. Aren’t all these signs of insanity ?” (Part 4, chapter IV)
“...all this seemed to him more and more strange, almost impossible. “ You fool! holy fool !” - he repeated to himself...” (Raskolnikov, Part 4, Chapter IV)
Rodion is bitter to realize that such a pure and bright soul can completely become mired in vice.
“...is it really possible that this creature, who still retains the purity of spirit , will finally be consciously drawn into this vile, stinking pit?” (Part 4, chapter IV)
“...this shame obviously affected her only mechanically; real depravity had not yet penetrated a single drop into her heart : he saw it; she stood before him in reality...” (Part 4, chapter IV)
“...he fully understood the monstrous pain to which she had been tormented, and for a long time now, by the thought of her dishonorable and shameful position.” (Part 4, chapter IV)
In Sonya, Raskolnikov sees a kindred spirit who is on the verge of death.
“Now I have only you,” he added. - Let's go together... I came to you. We are cursed together, we will go together!” (Part 4, chapter IV)
“You also stepped over... were able to step over. You committed suicide, you ruined your life... yours (it’s all the same!). You could live in spirit and mind, but you’ll end up on the Haymarket... But you can’t stand it, and if you’re left alone, you’ll go crazy, like me. You’re already like crazy; Therefore, we must go together, along the same road! Let's go to !". (Part 4, chapter IV)
Sonya becomes the only person to whom Raskolnikov is ready to tell his terrible secret.
“Do you know who killed? - she asked, freezing with horror and looking at him wildly.
“I know and I’ll tell you... You, you alone! I chose you. I'm not coming to ask you for forgiveness, I'm just going to say it. I chose you a long time ago to tell you this, even when my father was talking about you and when Lizaveta was alive, I thought about it.” (Part 4, chapter IV)
Detailed characteristics of Raskolnikov.
Katerina Ivanovna
Sonya's mother, Katerina Ivanovna, reproaches the girl in every possible way for being a parasite, blaming her for her difficult, beggarly life.
“And here the kids are hungry... And here Katerina Ivanovna, wringing her hands, walks around the room, and red spots appear on her cheeks - which always happens in this illness: “You live, they say, you, a parasite, with us, eat and you drink and use the heat , “but what are you drinking and eating when even the kids haven’t seen the crust for three days!” (Part 1, chapter II)
With her endless reproaches, Katerina Ivanovna forces Sonya to go to the panel.
“Well, Katerina Ivanovna, should I really do such a thing?”...
“Well,” Katerina Ivanovna answers, laughing, “what should we take care of? Eco treasure! (Part 1, chapter II)
Having learned that Sonya became a prostitute for the sake of her and her children, Katerina Ivanovna understands what meanness she committed towards her stepdaughter.
“Katerina Ivanovna, also without saying a word, went up to Sonechka’s bed and stood at her feet on her knees all evening, kissed her feet, didn’t want to get up, and then they both fell asleep together, hugging each other...” (Part 1, chapter II)
Katerina Ivanovna fiercely defends Sonya from Luzhin, who accused the girl of theft.
“You yourself are a fool, a judge’s hook, a low person! Sonya, Sonya will take his money! This is Sonya the thief! Yes, she’ll give it to you, you fool!” (Part 5, chapter III)
Katerina Ivanovna admires Sonya’s kind, sympathetic heart, and feels greatly indebted to her.
“...you don’t know yet, you don’t know what kind of heart this is, what kind of girl this is! She'll take it, she will! Yes, she will take off her last dress, sell it, go barefoot, and give it to you if you need it, that’s what she is like! She even received a yellow ticket, because my children were disappearing from hunger, she sold herself for us!” (Part 5, chapter III)
Sonya's father (Semyon Marmeladov)
Sonya is the daughter of Semyon Marmeladov from his first marriage. After the death of Sonya's mother, he marries Katerina Ivanovna with three children, who takes out her irritation on her stepdaughter. Sonya had a very hard time in her new family.
“There are many living there besides us... Sodom, sir, the ugliest... um... yes... And in the meantime, my daughter, from her first marriage, grew up, and what she, my daughter, only endured from her stepmother, growing up , I am keeping silent about.” . For although Katerina Ivanovna is filled with magnanimous feelings, the lady is hot and irritated, and will cut off...” (Part 1, chapter II)
Marmeladov is a bitter drunkard, a lost father, capable of taking his daughter’s last money for drink. He treats Sonya with consumerism, but the girl does not reproach him for anything.
“She didn’t say anything, she just looked at me silently... It’s not like this on earth, but there... they grieve for people, cry, but don’t reproach, don’t reproach! And it’s more painful, sir, more painful, sir, when they don’t reproach you!.. Thirty kopecks, yes, sir. But now she needs them too, huh?.. Well, sir, I, the blood father, stole these thirty kopecks for my hangover! And I drink...” (Part 1, chapter II)
Marmeladov has no doubt that Sonya, who took a sinful path to save her family, will be forgiven by the Lord.
“And he will forgive my Sonya, he will forgive, I already know that he will forgive... I felt it just now, as it was with her, in my heart!...” (Part 1, chapter II)
Before his death, Marmeladov fully realizes what a difficult life he provided for his daughter, what deprivations he doomed her to.
“He looked wildly and motionlessly at his daughter for some time, as if not recognizing her. And he had never seen her in such a costume before. Suddenly he recognized her, humiliated, murdered, dishonored and ashamed, humbly awaiting her turn to say goodbye to her dying father. Endless suffering was depicted in his face.
Sonya! Daughter! Sorry! - he shouted.” (Part 2, chapter VII)
Polya (Sonya's half-sister)
Polya is Katerina Ivanovna’s eldest daughter, Sonya’s half-sister. The girl is very attached to Sonya, feeling all her love and care.
“Do you love sister Sonya?
I love her the most! - Polenka said with some special firmness, and her smile suddenly became more serious. (Part 2, chapter VII)
“... I, being so big, pray to myself silently, and Kolya and Lidochka, together with their mother, pray out loud; first they will read “Theotokos”, and then another prayer: “God, forgive and bless sister Sonya.” (Part 2, chapter VII)
Dunya Raskolnikova
Dunya has great respect for Sonya, despite her low social status and occupation.
“Avdotya Romanovna seemed to be waiting in line and, following her mother past Sonya, bowed to her with an attentive, polite and full bow. Sonechka became embarrassed, bowed somehow hastily and frightened, some kind of even painful sensation was reflected in her face, as if Avdotya Romanovna’s politeness and attention were painful and painful for her.” (Part 3, chapter IV)
Dunya understands that Sonya is the only person who can help Rodion overcome all life's trials, and values her very much.
“Dunya at least took away one consolation from this meeting, that her brother would not be alone: it was to her, Sonya, that he came first with his confession; in her he looked for a person when he needed a person; she will follow him wherever fate sends . She didn't ask, but she knew it would be like this. She even looked at Sonya with some kind of reverence and at first almost embarrassed her with this reverent feeling with which she treated her.” (Part 6, chapter VIII)
Pulcheria Alexandrovna
Pulcheria Alexandrovna feels in Sonya a person who will take the main place in the life of her son Rodion.
“I’m also very afraid of this girl...
- Which girl, mummy?
- Yes, this one, Sofya Semyonovna, who was just now...
- What?
“I have a feeling, Dunya.” Well, believe it or not, when she came in, at that very moment I thought that this is where the main thing is sitting...” (Part 3, chapter IV)
“She confuses me, you’ll see, you’ll see! And I was so scared: she looked at me, looked, her eyes were so, I could barely sit in the chair, remember how you started recommending me? And it’s strange to me: Pyotr Petrovich writes about her like this, but he recommends her to us, and even to you! Therefore, he cares!” (Part 3, chapter IV)
Svidrigailov
Before his death, Svidrigailov provided significant financial support to Sonya. Seeing immeasurable kindness in her, he understands that the girl can help many people, and asks her to live as long as possible.
“Goodbye, my dear, Sofya Semyonovna! Live and live a lot, you will be useful to others .” (Part 6, chapter VI)
Detailed characteristics of Svidrigailov.
Essay 3
There are heroes of classic works by authors of the last century who will never lose their relevance under any circumstances. They have already gained immortality and firmly taken their place in the souls of those who were not lazy and became familiar with them.
The bright, innocent, but at the same time vicious image of Sonya Semenovna Marmeladova, the daughter of the impoverished drunkard Semyon Marmeladov, occupies not the last place in Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky’s novel “Crime and Punishment”.
An orphan forced into prostitution to support her father, stepmother Katerina Ivanovna and stepbrothers and sisters. Without placing the blame on anyone for her unhappy fate, she meekly bears her heavy cross, not demanding gratitude in return. Sonya resigns herself to her fate. Being a deeply decent girl, she is very ashamed of what she has to do. It’s hard for her to be in her father’s house, so she only occasionally visits there and gives what she earns to her stepmother so that she can buy food for her children. She considers herself unworthy of the “high” society in which she sometimes finds herself.
Sonya Marmeladova is a kind and selfless, trusting and devoutly believing girl. Her whole appearance suggests that in choosing her actions she is guided only by the dictates of her heart and true faith in God.
The meeting between Sonya and Rodion Raskolnikov seems to have been destined by someone from above. Both are dishonest before the law, he killed a man, she killed her body and soul. But they find some kind of consolation in each other, although the girl does not understand and does not accept the thoughts of the young man. How can one transgress the “Law of God” and elevate oneself to an “extraordinary person” who administers “justice”? The sacrifice of young Marmeladova knows no bounds. She could not do otherwise than take Raskolnikov’s cross upon herself, wander with him through cities and villages, and in return be content with a cool attitude towards herself. But this is Sonya, so thin, small, fragile with beautiful blue eyes, faithful, incapable of dashing thoughts and actions. A little prostitute who enjoys the love and respect of the people around her for all the benefits she gives them. And thanks to her efforts, faith, love and repentance for what he did awaken in the soul of the criminal Raskolnikov. He took a different look at life, at its essence.
Sonya Marmeladova is an image whose outer shell hides inner beauty, humility, forgiveness, selfless love for people and true faith in God. In this heroine, Dostoevsky embodied his views and ideals.
Biography and plot of the novel
Sofya Semyonovna Marmeladova was born into the family of a minor official. The girl's father is an elderly man, earns little and likes to drink. Sonya's mother died long ago, the girl is being raised by her stepmother. The father's new wife has a mixture of feelings for her stepdaughter. Katerina Ivanovna takes out all her dissatisfaction with her failed life on an innocent girl. At the same time, the woman does not feel hatred towards the younger Marmeladova and tries not to deprive the girl of attention.
Sonya Marmeladova
Sonya did not receive an education, because, according to her father, she is not distinguished by intelligence and intelligence. The trusting and good-natured heroine blindly believes in God and meekly serves the interests of the Marmeladov spouses and the stepmother’s children from her first marriage.
The girl is already 18 years old, although the heroine’s appearance would be more suitable for a child: blond hair, blue eyes, angular figure:
“She couldn’t even be called pretty, but her blue eyes were so clear, and when they came to life, the expression on her face became so kind and simple-minded that you involuntarily attracted people to her.”
The family lives in the Russian outback, but after the father lost his permanent income, the Marmeladovs moved to St. Petersburg. In the capital, Semyon Zakharovich quickly finds a job and just as quickly loses it. The bosses are not ready to put up with employee drunkenness. Providing for the family falls entirely on Sonya.
Marmeladovs' apartment
Left without a livelihood, the girl sees one way out - to quit her job as a seamstress, which brought in too little money, and get a job as a prostitute. For the shameful earnings, the girl was kicked out of the apartment. Sonya lives separately from her family, rents a room from a tailor she knows:
“...my daughter, Sofya Semyonovna, was forced to receive a yellow ticket, and on this occasion she could not stay with us. Because the hostess, Amalia Fedorovna, didn’t want to allow that.”
A girl of easy virtue received from the government a “yellow ticket” - a document proving that the young lady was selling her body. Even shameful work does not save the Marmeladov family.
Semyon Zakharovich dies under the hooves of a carriage horse. In the bustle and commotion, the girl’s first acquaintance with Raskolnikov takes place. The man already knows the girl in absentia - the elder Marmeladov told Rodion about Sonya’s difficult fate in all details.
Financial assistance from a stranger (Rodion Raskolnikov pays for his father’s funeral) touches the girl. Sonya goes to thank the man. This is how the difficult relationship between the main characters begins.
During the process of organizing a funeral, young people spend a lot of time talking. Both feel like outcasts from society, both are looking for consolation and support. The mask of a cold cynic, which covers the main character, falls, and the true Rodion appears before pure Sonya:
“He suddenly changed; his affectedly impudent and impotently defiant tone disappeared. Even my voice suddenly weakened..."
Marmeladov's death completely undermined the stepmother's health. Katerina Ivanovna dies of consumption, and Sonya falls on the shoulders of caring for the younger members of the family. Help for the girl comes unexpectedly - Mr. Svidrigailov places the little ones in an orphanage and provides the younger Marmeladovs with a comfortable future. This is how Sonya’s fate unfolded in a terrible way.
Sonya Marmeladova and Rodion Raskolnikov
But the desire to make sacrifices pushes the girl to the other extreme. Now the heroine intends to devote herself to Raskolnikov and accompany the prisoner into exile. The girl is not afraid that her loved one killed the old woman to test a crazy theory. Marmeladova’s truth is that love, faith and selflessness will heal and guide Rodion on the right path.
In Siberia, where the main character is sent, Sonya gets a job as a seamstress. The shameful profession remains a thing of the past, and, despite the coldness of the young man, Sonya remains faithful to Rodion. The girl’s patience and faith bring results - Raskolnikov realizes how much he needs Marmeladova. The reward for the two wounded souls was the joint happiness that came after the atonement of sins.
Essay The Image of Sonya Marmeladova (Crime and Punishment)
The image of Sonya Marmeladova has become truly immortal. He occupies a special place in classical literature, being an example of kindness, compassion and self-sacrifice. Looking at it, the reader gains a precious understanding of such wonderful phenomena as devoted love and true faith in God.
Getting to know the heroine does not happen right away. The heroine appears already when Raskolnikov has already committed his fatal act and destroyed his own soul. It seems that inevitable death awaits Rodion, and nothing can be done about it. But one day fate gives him a wonderful acquaintance with an extraordinary girl who completely changes his life.
We hear the first mention of Sonya from the lips of her father, when he talks about his difficult fate, poverty and deep need. Speaking about the family, Marmeladov with warmth and gratitude mentions the name of Sonechka, his only daughter. His wife Katerina Ivanovna was an unhappy, sick woman who gave her last strength to earn at least some money, while the father of the family drank away his earnings. Difficult life circumstances had a negative impact on the character of Katerina Ivanovna, who began to get irritated over little things, make scandals, accusing her stepdaughter of financial need. And then Sonya, in order to somehow help the family, decided to sacrifice herself and began to engage in prostitution.
The story he heard made a strong impression on Raskolnikov, leaving a bright mark on his unfortunate soul.
The author is in no hurry to reveal the heroine’s appearance. The first description of Sonya's appearance occurs when the girl returns home on the day of her father's death. Modest and sensitive by nature, she did not dare to enter the room, considering herself unworthy and defamed.
First of all, the author points out Sonya’s clothing style - the outfit is cheap and ridiculous, but bright and provocative, which is typical for this type of activity. Her face was pale and thin, her eyes meek, everything about her spoke of mental pain and testified to a strong feeling of humiliation. She looked to be about 17 years old, a short, thin and rather pretty girl with beautiful blue eyes.
The image of Sonya Marmeladova is full of contradictions: on the one hand, she is fragile and weak, but on the other, she considers herself a terrible sinner, whose presence next to other people offends them. She is so easily offended, she is defenseless against the cruelty of other people. At the same time, physical weakness and uncertainty coexist with great inner strength, which is based on love - for the father, for the children, for Raskolnikov - devoted and selfless love. This girl's kindness and compassion know no bounds. No one knows how to forgive like she does. She forgave her stepmother and did not dare to condemn her father for his weakness and endless craving for drink. She sympathizes with Raskolnikov and sincerely pities him. Only a truly strong person, an integral personality, is capable of this.
But where did this amazing strength come from in such a fragile girl? Sonya is saved, led to the light and helped to lead others to it by her selfless faith in God. It is not surprising that it is to her that Raskolnikov goes with repentance and a request for help. Sonechka's faith pushes the protagonist to confess his terrible act, to repentance and to his own faith in God, which ultimately brings Raskolnikov back to life.
Option 5
Sonya Marmeladova is the central character of the novel “Crime and Punishment” by the great Russian writer F. M. Dostoevsky. The author put into the heroine the image of a girl who knows how to compassion, forgive and love. He created the complete opposite of the main character of the work, Raskolnikov, in the person of Sonya Marmeladova.
Sonya is a young, meek, timid and pretty girl. She despises and condemns what she does in every way because of her piety and morality. The girl is forced to work in prostitution to feed her family. After all, her father, who once held a respectable position as an official, went bankrupt and began to drink heavily. And the stepmother, suffering from consumption, needed financial support to support the lives of her young children. Sonechka began to engage in this humiliating and nasty work in the name of a better life for her relatives, sacrificing her honor and principles. She does not condemn her father, does not blame him for the family’s sorrows. On the contrary, she resigns herself to her fate for the sake of peace and happiness of her loved ones.
The heroine is a kind, sympathetic and compassionate person. She gives all the money she earns, to the last penny, to her stepmother and unfortunate father. Ashamed of her life, she tries to spend less time at home. But everyone who knows and surrounds Sonya, understanding her difficult situation, does not try to humiliate and insult her. After all, her actions are worthy of respect. Enduring such shame in her heart, Sonya earns money to feed her family. Perhaps only the mahecha oppresses the poor girl.
Sonya obediently believes in God and lives according to Christian canons. She reveres human life as the most valuable thing, regardless of the status and financial situation of each individual person. The girl feels love for everyone living, trying to help.
In her understanding, all people are equal among themselves and among God's court. And therefore she does not agree with Raskolnikov’s theory of dividing people into higher and lower classes. The girl sincerely believes that only God can condemn this or that person. She condemns Rodion only because he acted so dishonestly towards the old money-lender. No one can take the life of another. Nevertheless, she sympathizes with the poor student, takes part of his suffering upon herself and goes to hard labor with him. She wants to help atone for the young man’s sins and “cleanse” herself.
Through Sonya Marmeladova, Dostoevsky reveals his thoughts and beliefs regarding the value of human life. In a girl, he embodies the ideas of compassion, deep spiritual kindness and nobility.
