to him to humiliate and wound him. In Chapter II or Part II, a coach driver violently lashes the dazed Raskolnikov, returning from the police station, as he stumbles in the street. Here, the whip is used as a symbol of his humiliation (like Jesus) for his recent crimes. Also, in a dream Raskolnikov has in Chapter 5 Part I, the whip Mikolka uses to flog his horse clearly signifies mindless cruelty and the exercise of unrestrained power the kind of power those who tortured Jesus had.Because of the immense guilt Raskolnikov felt for his murders, he decided to speak to Sonya. In Chapter 4 Part IV, they share a discussion. In this conversation, Raskolnikov torments Sonya by doubting the presence of God. He says, Perhaps God does not exist. However, his cynicism did not endure long when he sees her suffering, so he falls to the ground and kisses her feet the classic Christian gesture of humility and adoration. Once again, Dostoevsky revisits God.Later on in that same conversation, Lizavetas New Testament in his Raskolnikovs hands, and he asks Sonya to find him the story of the raising of Lazarus and to read it aloud. As she reads the story, with its message of hope and salvation, she has a hard time, but keeps on reading it for the sake of Raskolnikov. Lazarus is the brother of Mary and Martha, who were friends with Jesus. When Lazarus died, his sisters mourned for him, but Christ raised him from the dead after four days. This miracle is usually interpreted as a foreshadowing of Christs own resurrection. In this novel, I believe that is suggests hope for Raskolnikov and also foreshadows his salvation.All throughout the novel, suffering was definitely evident in almost all of the characters especially Raskolnikov. In the Catholic-Christian belief, one must suffer, like Jesus Christ, in order to be allowed in heaven. Suffering is what Jesus did for all mankind, so that is what all mankind must do for him (i.e. fasting during Len...
