Sympathy and Pride

[725974]

Whe doesn't Raskolnikov appreciate or like sympathy given to him by his family? Like when Razhumihin helps him when he is sick and Raskolnikov is so ungrateful for the new clothes and help he got from his friend.

[Dillon]

Because he's a nihilist--every person and occurence is either a utility to better himself if he can understand it, and an idiotic illusion if he doesn't. Either way, the simple existence of things to him is an obstacle he must surmount towards owning it all. He's a vacuum, the problem child of identity and lucidity--he is the schism (hence his name) between social and individual cognition, and thus is naked, and conflictive.

[axon]

I don't think Dillon's reply is correct. For me it seems that it is simply pride that prevents him from being greatful for the help he is getting and what makes him refuse help from others.

[Dillon]

Man, I should really explain myself more instead of taking off without perspective.

I do agree with you, axon--and I think you specified what I was trying to say (I express very general concepts). Rodya is prideful, and because of this pairing with his philosophy, he interprets the actions of others unto himself as having strictly a non-human, utility value--he must surpass the simple state of things by means of ungratefulness (as this is the only way to neglect the beauty of life) if he is to fully actualize his beliefs of this 'great man' scheme of living.