Actions in the novel that seem to be contradictory are a result of Raskolnikov's fluctuation between these two extremes of his personality; therefore, the first part of the novel deals with a crime committed by this young intellectual. The crime was a result of a theory he conceived about the nature of man's abilities; that is, some have abilities which make them extraordinary while other possess no abilities. It was this intellectual aspect of his character that causes him to conceive and execute his crime. He wants to see if he had the daring to transcend conscience. His punishment comes about as a result of the transcendence of conscience. Therefore, one aspect of his character is a cold, inhumane, detached intellectuality which emphasizes the individual power and self-will. The other aspect is the warm, compassionate side, revealed in his charitable acts and his reluctance to accept praise or credit.
The problem in the novel, therefore, is to bring these two opposing parts of Raskolnikov's personality into a single functioning person. To do this, Dostoevsky opens with the crime, which is handled rather quickly so as to get to the punishment. The murder is symbolic of Raskolnikov's thinking. It is the result of having cut himself off from authority, from love, and from mankind.
