Staircases
Many important decisions have been made on two different sets of stairs, but all decisions have helped to form the plot of Crime and Punishment. Dostoevsky uses the recurring image of a staircase as a primary setting where Raskolnikov makes several decisions that influence the murder.
Dostoevsky portrays a vivid image of the staircase right from the beginning when Raskolnikov is coming home with Marmeladov. The narrator states, "the staircase got darker and darker as they went up."(p.21) Not only does this example show that detail is important, but it portrays the staircase as a dark and gloomy place. Dostoevsky's early description of a gloomy place will later parallel the fact that the murder itself is dark and gloomy. Later in this example, Raskolnikov feels compelled to leave money at Marmeladov's home but when he is leaving, "he changed his mind on the stairs and would have gone back."(p.23) Contrary to his thought, he allows the stairs to "persuade" him to not go back, but instead leave the money. The gloominess of the stairs and the first example of making a decision foreshadows Raskolnikov's later thoughts to commit the murder.
Raskolnikov becomes motivated and energized to get out and commit the murder when he hears that "all was quiet on the stairs as if everyone was asleep."(p.61) Because he thinks that no one will be up and around to see him, he feels compelled to carry out his deed. The staircase has again helped Raskolnikov decide that now was the time to kill the pawnbroker. This motivation is soon stopped when he has begun to descend the stairs to retrieve the axe when he finds his landlady in the kitchen. He was stranded on the staircase deciding whether or not to proceed when he says to himself, "what made me think that she would not be home at that moment? Why did I assume this so certainly?"(p.64) Though he decides to wait and then continue with his plan, the staircase has played a significant role in his decision to continue. The staircase has provided him with a safe and watchful position to see that his plan can still be executed. It offers him an escape from his landlady until she exits the kitchen and allows him a few moments to rethink his options.
Lastly, the staircase plays a significant role in the mruder itself. When he has completed his plan and is ready to leave the pawnbroker's apartment, he must once again use the staircase as an escape. An escape from some unexpected visitors as well as from thoughts of the murder and his confession. Raskolnikov uses the staircase to warn him of the danger when "he was just taking a step towards the stairs when he heard the fresh footsteps."(p.73) Dostoevsky describes the steps as being "heavy, even and unhurried," and Raskolnikov must use the staircase's warnings to make the decision whether or not to descend. As described above, the staircase offers Raskolnikov a safe haven from wandering eyes that may witness the murder; therefore allow Raskolnikov to find enough courage to commit the murder.
Staircases are a recurring image throughout Crime and Punishment and Dostoevsky portrays them playing a significant role in the execution of the murder. Whether showing strong detail, allowing Raskolnikov to make decisions, or playing a significant role in the actual murder, staircases are a primary setting for Raskolnikov's decision making and not only affect the plan, but also provide a temporary escape for Raskolnikov during and after the murder.