Question by Joe C: what is the symbolic significance of tea and vodka in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment?
what does it mean when people are drinking tea as opposed to vodka? i am writing an essay on it and would appreciate any help. so far, i see dostoevsky’s negatie portrayal of alcohol as a criticism of utilitarianism, in that the ends (drunkenness) do not justify the means. but so far I don’t have much on tea except for how teetotalling is the opposite of alcoholism, but i dont think the russians had a work for teetotalling.
Answers and Views:
Answer by Gregory P
the core of the book is in the first chapter ( or there about) where the lead character talks about Napoleon as a superman ” a person who can do the horrible things which need to be done and does not flinch and he does so soberly with the purpose of history at his back ”
such a superman does not need to escape what he has done. such a superman always is calm and alert.
I would say the tea and vodka are more than symbols they are tools. alcohol allows one to escape tea allows one to be alert.
The lead ( I forgot his name sorry) want’s to soberly do great things and be a great man, he want’s to be above regrate. Vodka is his antithesis
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