Money

An important symbol in Crime and Punishment is money. Money is an understandable symbol, because every one of the readers has dealt with money and can therefor apply this symbol to themselves. Raskolnikov gives and receives money a couple times during the novel. Every single time the money he possesses is not rightfully his, not money he earned. He has no right to give it away, but he does so anyway. In addition to money, we give to others are our time, attention and love. Money is symbolic of all of these things. Raskolnikov is not the rightful owner of the money he gives out, and we are not rightful owners of our time, but never the less we give and dedicate it to people. Sometimes we cannot see the reason behind our actions, just like Raskolnikov blames his generosity on delirium, however we are appointed to be joyful givers.