Rodion Raskolnikov

Pride

Rodion Raskolnikov is a university dropout. He is described as an attractive young man of tall stature with light brown hair and dark eyes. He suffers from poverty and is forced to rent a cramped room. His situation is dire. He can't even afford to pay his tuition or pay off his debts. His close friend Dmitry Razumikhin and his mother help him, but Raskolnikov finds this assistance humiliating.
Rodion is educated, intelligent, and proud. Due to his humiliating position, he has become withdrawn and unsociable. The hero strives to fight injustice, which is why he develops the theory of "trembling creatures" and "those who have the right." Raskolnikov divides people into "trembling creatures" and "those who have the right." The former are people who live in obedience; they are weak and ordinary. The latter are the movers and shakers of the world and outstanding figures. Rodion calls them "Napoleons." If necessary, they can even "step over blood." He considers himself one of those "those who have the right," which is why he decides to kill the old pawnbroker. Her death, in Raskolnikov's view, will only benefit society.

His mother, Pulcheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikova, 43, despite her age, retains traces of her former beauty. The author notes that women who retain a clear spirit and honesty can appear younger than their years. She is a kind, gentle, intelligent woman, a loving and caring mother. She is sincere and dislikes pretense and lies. She is flexible up to a point, but she does not go against her convictions. Rodion is her only hope and confidence. She is willing to do anything for him: she sends him money, borrows money, knits scarves, and embroiders to help her son, a student. Despite her poor eyesight, she tries to work to earn extra money. Rodion loves his mother very much; it pains him to disappoint her.
Sister - Avdotya Romanovna (Dunya) Raskolnikova, 22 years old, tall, slender, strong, and self-confident, with dark blond hair and large black eyes. Her face glowed with freshness and health, though pale. She is intelligent, proud, selfless, capable of strong emotions and decisive actions. She is ready to make sacrifices for her loved ones. Due to poverty, she is forced to work as a governess in wealthy homes, where she endures humiliation and harassment from Svidrigailov. Rodion loves her dearly and wants the best for her, ready to fight for her happiness.
His father is Roman Raskolnikov. Rodion remembers him only from childhood, as a strong and tall figure. Nothing else is known about him.

Raskolnikov is a tall, slender young man "with beautiful dark eyes" and "remarkably handsome." He has dark blond hair, is above average height, and is of a slender build. His mother, Pulcheria Alexandrovna, considers him even more beautiful than her sister, Dunya. He has a hooked nose. Raskolnikov is poor, his clothes are threadbare and out of fashion. He owned only one summer coat, which he wore in the winter. It was wide, "made of some kind of cotton fabric," and resembled a sack. His hat is tall, round, a Zimmerman hat, but worn, reddish, with holes and stains, no brim, and a corner that has crooked to one side. His shoes are dirty, holey boots caked with dried mud.