A former law student. Increasing poverty pushed him to leave university and isolate himself in the cramped, lonely attic rooms of St. Petersburg. In this dark solitude, he adopted the idea that the world's people are divided into 'extraordinary' beings who act by their own rules and 'ordinary' herds that exist only to obey. With reasonable excuses like purifying society and saving his family, he kills a pawnbroker with an axe mainly to test whether he is a Napoleon who belongs to this extraordinary class. However, after the murder, his nature and conscience defeat his rational theory, leading him into profound alienation, illness, and paranoia. By revealing his secret to Sonya Semyonovna, he sees in her a reflection of his conscience and Christianity. His main function in the story is to prove that man cannot defeat his nature with pure reason alone, and that every criminal carries within their subconscious the need for punishment and repentance. Throughout the book, he runs from crisis to crisis, finally shedding his vanity and finding salvation through love on the road to Siberia.
He grew up in a poor but loving family in the provinces. Losing his father at a young age, he came to St. Petersburg to study law through the great sacrifices of his mother, Pulcheria Alexandrovna, and his sister, Dunya. Although a very successful student, his forced hiatus from education due to poverty and his move into a life isolated from the outside world caused him to sink into his own dark philosophy.
Tall, slender, with a very well-proportioned body, above average in height. He is an extremely handsome young man with dark blonde/light brown hair, remarkably beautiful dark skin, and deep black eyes. He wears a tattered, falling-apart old student coat and a torn, faded German-style Zimmerman top hat. Along with his guilt, his complexion is constantly pale and sickly.
Porfiri Petroviç
The intellectual arch-nemesis whom he hates even while respecting his intellect and theory.
Pyotr Petroviç Lujin
The enemy he openly detests and despises due to the vileness with which he attempts to buy authority.
Avdotya Romanovna (Dunya)
His sister, whom he loves to death and tries to protect, yet whose sacrifices for his sake he tries to crush with his pride.
Dmitri Prokofiç Razumihin
The only friend he relies on for his loyalty during his darkest days, who looks after his family more than himself.
Sonya Semyonovna Marmeladova
The mirror of his conscience and a refuge for his pain, his only solace after his confession.
Arkadiy İvanoviç Svidrigaylov
His threatening shadow, whom he likened to himself and his darkest desires after committing his crime.