Crime and Punishment: Imperfect ConscienceA highly educated individual, who avoids the difficulties of society while pondering the possibility of great wealth, Raskolnikov, in "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky , frustrated with his immoral actions, suffers a sudden physical and mental breakdown after brutally mutilating an evil pawnbroker. After this soul-wounding incident, his initial feelings of success in completing his mission quickly change once he realizes the possible flaws in his otherwise considered perfect murder. Raskolnikov's flawed conscience finally comes to an emotional awakening when his saint, Sonya, an unintelligent prostitute, brings him love, sensitivity, and inner serenity to help him confess to the murder he so coldly commits. After mulling over the pessimistic consequences of this cruel and selfish murder, a change in consciousness comes to Raskolnikov. Once he realizes the reality of the matter, he actually suffers a nervous breakdown. Although he has committed a very serious crime, Raskolnikov continues to refuse to believe the truth of it...