lief in Christianity, and they reveal his value system towards certain humans.Situational irony first becomes a key device in Raskolnikov's plot to murder the pawnbroker. Raskolnikov vacillates over his decision. One minute he tells himself, "I would like to attempt a thing like that.” After saying this, he turns around and says, "I knew I could never bring myself to it.” Raskolnikov is clearly wavering between whether or not to commit the murder. However, his indecisiveness is eliminated by the occurrence of two ironic events. First, immediately after his dream when he states, "My God! I couldn't bring myself to do it...I couldn't do it...I couldn't do it!" he overhears Lizaveta saying, "At seven o'clock tomorrow...I'll come (to the apartment)" This ironic twist of fate makes the murder of the pawnbroker the next day ideal, as her sister Lizaveta would be away at seven o' clock, and the "old lady would be left alone.” Raskolnikov decides this is a golden opportunity, revealing a substantial change of attitude in Raskolnikov, beginning the development of his dark character. Next, Raskolnikov overhears a man at the bar say, "I could kill that damned old woman and make off with her money, I assure you, without the faintest conscience-prick.” This ironic statement startles Raskolnikov, as he had "the very same idea.” It provides another justification for the murder, as Raskolnikov believes the crime will benefit others. This ironic event is key to Raskolnikov's development as it has "an immense influence on him in his later action.” These ironic events allow Raskolnikov to commit the murder of the pawnbroker and begin his lengthy journey of conversion. Irony is apparent in the early stages of Raskolnikov's guilt. First, situational irony occurs when Raskolnikov is in the pawnbroker's apartment, and he hears someone knock on the door and say, "Are they asleep or are they murdered?” Th...
