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Dialect
Definition of Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony is a plot device often used in theater, literature, film, and television to highlight the difference between a character's understanding of a given situation, and that of the... read full definition
Dramatic irony is a plot device often used in theater, literature, film, and television to highlight the difference between a character's understanding of a given... read full definition
Dramatic irony is a plot device often used in theater, literature, film, and television to highlight the difference between a... read full definition
Part 4, Chapter 6
Explanation and Analysis—Wicked Thoughts:
In a scene that exemplifies dramatic irony, the Man From Under the Ground appears at Raskolnikov’s apartment to apologize for accusing him of murder, a crime that Raskolnikov is in fact guilty of. Having previously arrived at the apartment in order to confirm his suspicions, the Man from Under the Ground feels deeply ashamed when another man confesses to the crime:
“I am guilty,” the man said softly.
“Of what?”
“Of wicked thoughts.”
The two stood looking at each other.
“I felt bad. When you came that time, maybe under the influence, and told the caretakers to go to the precinct, and asked about blood, I felt bad because it all came to nothing, and you were taken for drunk. And I felt so bad that I lost my sleep. And, remembering the address, we came here yesterday and asked…”
“Who came?” Raskolnikov interrupted, instantly beginning to recall.
“Me, I came, I wronged you.”
Ironically, the man identifies himself as “guilty” to the Raskolnikov, who himself is genuinely guilty. He apologizes profusely for having “wicked thoughts” or, more specifically, for having identified Raskolnikov as the murderer to the police after spotting him at the scene of the crime. Unable to sleep due to his feelings of guilt, the man has come to apologize. Unknown to him, of course, is the fact that Raskolnikov is the murderer and therefore the true guilty party. Nikolai, a painter who confessed to the crime, did so falsely as a result of his religious beliefs. This undeserved apology contributes to Raskolnikov’s volatile emotional state, further pushing him towards a confession.
Part 6, Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Political Conspirator :
In a scene saturated with dramatic irony, Razumikhin reaches the false conclusion that Raskolnikov is a political agitator or revolutionary who has gotten into trouble and possibly implicated Dunya. After speaking with Raskolnikov in his apartment, Razumikhin reflects upon the source of his friend’s agitation:
“He’s a political conspirator, he is, for sure, for sure!” Razumikhin decided to himself finally, as he slowly went down the stairs. “And he’s drawn his sister into it; that’s very, very likely, given Avdotya Romanovna’s character. They’ve started meeting together…And she, too, dropped me a hint. It all comes out precisely that way, from many of her words…and phrases…and hints! And how else can all this tangle be explained? Hm! And I almost thought [...] Pah! What a nasty, crude, mean thought on my part! Good boy, Mikolka, for confessing…And all the earlier things are explained now!
The reader knows that Raskolnikov has no political connections whatsoever, but rather, is the culprit of a yet-unsolved double homicide. Razumikhin’s faith in his friend is touching but mistaken, as is his shame that he ever suspected Raskolnikov of anything truly dishonorable. This ironic scene, then, attests to the good-spirited and faithful nature of Razumikhin and to Raskolnikov’s ongoing deception of those closest to him.
