s a tremendous role in the resolution of Raskolnikov's confession. As he walks to the police department to confess, he hears that "Svidrigailov has shot himself." Svidrigailov was the only person who knew of Raskolnikov's crime, so now Raskolnikov could walk away and be home free. His dark side forces him to turn away from the police department, only to see Sonia standing at the door. Raskolnikov then turns around and confesses, showing the dominance of his kind, warm side which needs Sonia's love. However, the conflict between Raskolnikov's duality is not over, as he confesses only for Sonia, and not because he believes what he did was wrong. Despite this, the confession is a huge step towards Raskolnikov's conversion. Raskolnikov is then sentenced for only seven years, due to an ironic conviction based on "his abnormal mental condition," and his term in Siberia, where the most critical turning point of the novel occurs. Raskolnikov is bitter in jail, tortured by the others for his disbelief in God, and rude to Sounia when she would visit. Ironically, Raskolnikov's attitude shifts when he dreams of a world that "was condemned to a terrible new strange plague," caused by everyone believing his theory was right. This idea represented Raskolnikov's believing his theory was right, and it awakened him to the wrongness of it. Finally, the caring, good side of Raskolnikov defeats his evil side, as he turns to a life of Christianity with Sonia. Dostoevsky also uses this ironic dream to criticize abstract theories and their devastating affects. Crime and Punishment is the story of the battle between Raskolnikov's intellectual arrogance and his conscience. He constantly attempts to run from his conscience but he can't escape it. Ironic events force Raskolnikov to face the conflict and ultimately decide his destiny. Dostoevsky uses this device to explain the complex conflict raging within Raskolnikov, and in turn to reveal his message about manki...
