In Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov is a developing character who embarks on a personal journey throughout the content of the novel, centered on the fascinating nature of his surroundings. Raskolnikov is a man consumed by the thoughts in his head and receives many omens that force him to make certain choices. The issue of coercion and persuasion can be observed in his inner and outer environment and affects Raskolnikov's decisions. The theme of compulsion profoundly affects Raskolnikov's character development and personal journey throughout their respective novels, as evidenced by unconscious motivation, the compulsion of his ideology, and that of persuasive characters. Unconscious motivation is a powerful tool for uncovering Raskolnikov's motivations. Raskolnikov was largely affected by his subconscious, as shown in his dreams. Chronologically, Raskolnikov first dreamed of a poor old mare “panting and recoiling from the blows of three whips which fell on her like hail” (Dostoyevsky 48). The violent nature of this dream alludes to the inner debacle that Raskolnikov experiences due to his thoughts about the murder of the old pawnbroker. The crowd is torn between horror and fear at the mare's brutal whipping, much like Raskolnikov's feelings after Alyona's murder. When he wakes up, "darkness and confusion were in his soul" as he gets closer to murdering the pawnbroker. (Dostoyevsky 52). In addition to the vicious and contradictory images of the dream, Raskolnikov “was walking in the countryside with his father” in this dream (Dostoyevsky 47). His father urged Raskolnikov to say that the fate of the horse was “none of their business” and to abandon the show (Dostoyevsky 52). In the dream... middle of paper ... in life, he struggles to understand that the actions of others are not in his name, so he relies solely on the evidence that supports his conceited claims. .Constraint is a powerful force, coming from many different directions. Family, friends, and love interests all affect Raskolnikov's decisions. In addition to their external influences, he is influenced internally by his subconscious and his belief system. These internal and external influences manipulate the protagonist of Crime and Punishment into choosing a certain path and making decisions that contribute to his personal journey toward enlightenment versus the incorrect path and lifestyle he was pursuing. The compulsion Raskolnikov feels impacts his journey of personal discovery throughout the novel and contributes to the growth and development of his dynamic character..