Kindness and cruelty are one of the eternal themes that are found both in literature and in life. In F. Dostoevsky’s novel Crime and Punishment, these two contrasting concepts go side by side and form a dramatic passions. What will the heroes choose? Good or evil? Virtue or cruelty?

1. Raskolnikov shows by his example how kindness and cruelty can be combined in one person. The main character, by nature, is very kind and merciful - he loves his sister and mother very much, is sensitive to the Marmeladov family, does not spare money for Marmeladov’s funeral, and sincerely sympathizes with Sonya. In addition, the author focuses on Rodion's dream, where he returns to childhood. In a dream, a boy pity for tears a horse beaten by men. At the same time, a cruel theory is ripening in his head about the division of people into "trembling creatures" and "right having". The same man kills the old woman-interest-raiser and her sister. In the soul of Raskolnikov throughout the work there is an internal struggle between kindness and cruelty. In the final, the reader sees the hero’s sincere repentance, the victory of good over evil. But still, both of these qualities coexisted in him, as in many other people.
2. Sonya Marmeladova is also an example of how evil can fight good within one heart. The heroine herself is very tender, sensitive, meek. This heroine is a model of Christian humility and love for others. Under the pressure of life circumstances, Sonya was forced to commit an act cruel to herself and her conscience - to sell herself, her body. But she does this for the love of her fellow man. Without the money she earned, her stepmother and children could simply die of starvation. And now it turns out that at the heart of the heroine’s cruel act lies the purest and real good. Unfortunately, the sacrifice in the name of bright ideals rarely goes without cruelty, but, nevertheless, Sonya’s example proves that a person can defeat the dark side of his soul and maintain virtue, no matter what.
3. Cruelty and goodness also fight in Svidrigailov’s soul. According to Luzhin’s gossip, it turns out that Svidrigailov is a real criminal who committed not one, but a number of cruel acts. On his conscience are the rape, murder and molestation of young children. Although the author does not provide reliable confirmation of these acts, the reader still sees Svidrigailov as a criminal. On the other hand, the writer talks about how the hero helps Sonya Marmeladova and Katerina Ivanovna. Dostoevsky assigns such a contrasting act to one hero in order to show his versatility along with the versatility of the world around him. Good coexists with evil, both in a single hero and throughout the novel.
4. Evil for the sake of good - that’s how Raskolnikov tried to justify the cruel in nature act. He killed the old woman-interest girl for the money he planned to spend on good purposes. Together with her, the hero killed her sister, who, by fateful accident, was at the crime scene. The author shows that cruelty and anger cannot become the basis of something bright and good. Rodion could not change anything for the better, the situation in the city from his actions only worsened. There was more violence, more aggression, but no less social injustice, which the hero wanted to eradicate. Raskolnikov through mental throwing and suffering comes to the fact that he repents of his act. However, Alena Ivanovna and Lizaveta cannot be returned with this repentance. Therefore, cruelty cannot be a weapon to achieve a good goal. Its consequences are always tragic and, unfortunately, irreversible.
5. Sometimes we believe that we have the right to relate to other people without kindness, as we consider them unworthy of a good relationship. For example, such are the people who surrounded Raskolnikov and aroused feelings of hatred, anger and cruelty in him. Luzhin and Svidrigailov - the embodiment of extreme egoism, which forced the protagonist to despise these gentlemen. Rodion at first glance feels an antipathy to them, but during their communication the author makes it clear that the unpleasant interlocutors are just Raskolnikov's doubles. The rapist and calculating liar really do not deserve respect, but they need forgiveness and compassion, because they are the same people, like everyone else, just entangled in the intricacies of vice. Rodion was also confused, to whom Sonya's mercy gave a chance for correction. However, without him, he would end his sinful life as Svidrigailov did. Did he have the moral right to severely condemn the groom and sister's former employer? No, because he himself could not boast of holiness. None of us have the right to judge our neighbor, for none of us can call ourselves impeccable moral authority. This means that we all must treat each other kindly, only in this way can we make each other better.
6. Each of us needs a good friend in the moments when the life path becomes especially thorny. Therefore, society will always appreciate the kindness in a person. For example, Rodion was saved by Sonya Marmeladova - the embodiment of light, kindness and love. The girl accepted the bitter confession of the hero and did not condemn him. She supported the criminal, not rejected. Therefore, Raskolnikov was drawn specifically to Sonya - she taught him to love, forgive, be meek and humble. Then Rodion realized his guilt, his mistakes. Conscious repentance of the hero is a very difficult and courageous step to understanding the truth and the beginning of a new clean path from which, I want to believe, he will not leave.

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