Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment integrates the importance of murder into the novel through a multitude of levels. The act of killing is not only used to advance the plot of the novel, but also offers the reader insight into Raskolnikov's ideology and psyche. This is depicted by both his initial logic and reasoning behind the crime plot, as well as his immediate and long-term reactions after the murder of Alyona Ivanovna. The emotional and physical reactions instilled in Raskolnikov after killing Alyona Ivanovna as well as his rationale for doing so help illustrate his utilitarianism by providing keen insight into the character's moral values. These reactions also serve to show the instability of Raskolnikov's character due to his changing emotions, going from complete vindication as an ubermensch to a feeling of great regret. By including the act of murder, Dostoyevsky further develops Raskolnikov's character and provides another level of detail to readers regarding his ideology and beliefs prior to his actions. In order to benefit from reading about the main crime of Crime in Punishment, one must understand that Raskolnikov committed his act of violence completely intentionally. He was not a victim of another person's force, he did not kill accidentally, and he was not put in a situation where he would die if he did not commit murder. Raskolnikov deliberately and methodically planned Alyona's death. Because Alyona Ivanovna's death was based entirely on Raskolnikov's judgment, her reactions afterward provide the reader with keen insight into her character's mental psyche and beliefs. Raskolnikov believed that the murder was completely justified due to the turmoil... middle of paper ...... himself in the service of others. Although Raskolnikov initially believes that he is a superior being among others, his feelings of regret and internal conflict after the murder show otherwise. If Raskolnikov truly embodied the ubermensch as he imagined, he would show no signs of regret for having brought "happiness" to the rest of society, as well as for having brought justice to all the people Alyona Ivanovna scammed. In Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov's sense of emotional and physiological regret works against him and helps portray to readers his false sense of justice and self-image. By using the murder as a key event, Dostoyevsky gives readers the opportunity to understand the logic and justification for the protagonists' murder, how the character would react in such extreme situations, and how these reactions reflect his views on society and its own beliefs..