Luzhin and Svidrigaylov, but by killing the old lady and Lizaveta on his way to his own purpose he turns into people as evil as the ones he despises most. Once he crosses the line he does not know where to stop. Geoffrey Kabat writes: On another, symbolic level, the murder is an attempt to annihilate a symbol of the oppressive forces of a society in which money gives one power over other people's lives and in which lack of money means dependence on others. (V, 124) The problem of money and its oppressive and evil character is an important issue in Dostoevsky's novels. Raskolnikov is originally troubled because of his financial problems, Sonya is a prostitute to provide for her family, Mitya wants to kill his father for money. Judas betrays Jesus for money. This theme is repeated in Dostoevsky, but there is always something more: in the end the money (as in the case of Rodion or Mitya) is of lesser importance than the actual rebellion against the society and the attempt to change the social conditions which are almost unbearable. They both consider committing suicide, but do not do it because they are lucky enough to meet and to follow a Christ figure. Christ would have forgiven Judas, but Judas did not ask for forgiveness. He felt guilt, but the feeling of guilt is a necessity if one knows of guilt and possesses fear. To know the guilt is not enough: to repent is crucial. Grushenka and Sonya forgive because they have to forgive, but in the first place they know that the guilty have to forgive themselves and take the path of repentance. Otherwise, rationality at its best turns a man into a tyrant, on a smaller scale than the Inquisitor, but still a tyrant. This ego and child rebellion (against every father possible) of Rodion kill Alyona and Lizaveta and that is why he hurts his mother and sister. Joseph Frank writes: By this time, Raskolnikov has begun to understand how easily a prideful egoism can begin with love ...
