I think about how any time there is a child around in Crime and Punishment, Rodya is always compassionate or selfless. The kids he saved from a fire and how utterly sweet he is with Polenka. The story does also open on him stepping in to protect a 15 year old girl, I believe the first good deed we see of his.
But as a kid himself in the horse dream hes shown as very compassionate and emotional! I cant remember if theres other moments about his childhood (I know the 1935 Lorre adaption has a story where he nurtures a kitten back to health which I admit is really sweet and want to pretend is Canon haha). But I feel like its such a good way to show who he is. I don't know... to his core he can be incredibly kind. I know I've seen people theorize that something happened to him at 15 (because of this quote)
Which I'm not entirely sure is meant to imply something happened to him at that age..But seeing people make that assumption brought me to headcanon that being the age his father died. Which while parental deaths at a young age wasn't uncommon for the time (Razumikhins mother had also passed)... I dont see it being too crazy if thats the age he became more closed off and impulsive / unpredictable. Be it because of the death or just puberty, I dont know... Much to think about. This may be totally incoherent though.















