Crime and Punishment - Madness

Much madness is divinest sense To a discerning eye, Much sense, the starkest madness. 'Tis the majority In this, as all, prevail: Assent, and you are sane; Demur, you're straightaway dangerous And handled with a chain. - Emily Dickinson Knowing the difference between insanity and intense clarity is often difficult when dealing with eccentric characters. Comedians such as Johnny Carson, while at times appearing utterly mad, are extremely self-controlled at all times, even when pouring …

…God. Only by basing himself completely and violating the most sacred rules of all men could he realize how completely wrong he was in forcing himself into a mold he was not meant for. The redemption of his soul only results due to his willingness to accept what he had done as wrong, and only Sonia's unconditional love could make him realize he was doing something wrong. In the end, Raskolnikov's "madness is divinest sense."