Self Discovery in Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment and Camus The Outs

Self Discovery in Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment and Camus The Outsider In every society, it is important for individuals to adhere to a set of principles in order to maintain order. In Dostoyevskys Crime and Punishment and Camus The Outsider , however, both protagonists ignored the value of their society. Raskolnikov and Meursault felt their own beliefs were significant, and through their actions they were able to express them. As a result, one man was judged as a social deviant, while the other man suffered psychologically. Through dealing with this strife, Raskolnikov and Meursault gained a better understanding of their values and personal worth. In the beginning both men rejected the fundamental values of society and formed their own ideologies. Raskolnikov, for instance, believed that we have to correct and direct nature. besides for that, there would never had been a single great man1. In fact, he had written an article titled The psychology of a criminal forrader and after the crime. It stated that ordinary men live according to the law and exist only to reproduce the human race, yet extraordinary men may analyze laws if in his own conscience it is necessary to do so in order to better mankind2. Raskolnikov believed that indeed, he was an extraordinary man3, but want Meursault, his beliefs were untested. As a result, he murdered an old pawnbroker women in order to prove himself. Meursault, as well, acted against the social norm. For example, even though it was expected of a son, he did not show sorrow at his mothers funeral4. He did not think this was shallow, however, he just refused to falsel... ... was finally able to declare them. Raskolnikov and Meursault were not afraid to carrefour the boundaries their societies had set for them. They were free-thinkers, and although they were seen as heretics, men like these play an important role in the growth and improvement of any society. Works Cited and Consulted Akeroyd, Richard H. T he Spiritual Quest of Albert Camus. atomic number 13 Portals Press, 1976. Camus, Albert. The Stranger. New York Random House, Inc., 1988. Dostoevsky, Feodor. Crime and Punishment. Trans. Jessie Coulson. Ed. George Gibian. New York Norton, 1989. Frank, Joseph. Dostoevsky The Miraculous Years, 1865-1871. Princeton Princeton University Press, 1995. King, Adele. Camus. Oliver and Boyd Ltd. 1964. 120. McCarthy, Patrick. The Stranger. University of Cambridge Cambridge University Press, 1997.