Part One ends with the murder of Alyona. But in the dual murder scene, note that Alyona is murdered with the blunt side of the axe and as though one stroke were not enough to kill her, he then bludgeons the body with further strokes. In contrast, the murder of Lizaveta is quickly finished by a swift stroke of the sharp side of the axe. In this dual murder, he has killed one person who is mean, wicked, and cold (Alyona) and the murder was premeditated so as to prove a theory to himself. In the second murder, Lizaveta, who is warm, friendly, humane, gentle, and compassionate is instantaneously killed and her murder was not premeditated. Thus in a figurative manner, the two murders represent the two aspects of Raskolnikov's character. The importance here is that later Raskolnikov seldom thinks of the murder of Lizaveta but is troubled about the murder of Alyona because the death of the old louse is directly correlated to the validity of his theories, and Lizaveta's murder was accidental.
As soon as he completes the murder and as he is standing in the midst of the carnage, his first thought is "to abandon everything" and "to give himself up." This is the first of many thoughts of confession that will continue until the actual confession at the end of Part Five.
Covered with blood, he notices a bucket half full of water and he begins to wash his hands and the axe. This elaborate cleansing ritual foreshadows his future redemption and salvation.
