But how did I murder her? Is that how men do murders? Do…
““But how did I murder her? Is that how men do murders? Do men go to commit a murder as I went then? I will tell you some day how I went! Did I murder the old woman? I murdered myself, not her! I crushed myself once for all, for ever.… But it was the devil that killed that old woman, not I. Enough, enough, Sonia, enough! Let me be!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The narrator wrestles with guilt, blaming external forces for his crime while denying responsibility.
In simple terms: He blames the devil, not himself, for the murder.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge personal responsibility.
Themes
guilt
denial
psychology
morality
inner conflict
Mood
tormented
conflicted
dramatic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- courtroom confession
- therapy session
- personal reflection
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
existentialism
self‑deception
moral responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What does blaming the devil reveal about his psyche?
- Can guilt be transferred to external forces?
A Different Perspective
His denial may mask deeper self‑destruction.