Crime and Punishment

Author - Fyodor Dostoevsky

Crime and Punishment is a profound psychological novel exploring morality, guilt, and redemption. It follows Raskolnikov, a destitute student in St. Petersburg, who commits a murder under the belief that extraordinary individuals are above the law, only to face intense inner torment and the possibility of salvation.

Genre - Classical

Notes: Crime and Punishment

• • Rodion Raskolnikov, a poor former student, lives in a tiny, dingy room in St. Petersburg.
• • He is consumed by pride and a belief that he is an extraordinary person, above ordinary morality.
• • Raskolnikov devises a plan to murder Alyona Ivanovna, an old, unpleasant pawnbroker, and steal her money.
• • He believes this act will prove his superiority and allow him to do great things with the stolen wealth.
• • His mother and sister, Dunya, are coming to visit, and Dunya is engaged to a rich but disliked man named Luzhin.
• • Raskolnikov visits the pawnbroker's apartment to scout the location and confirm his plan.
• • He borrows an axe and waits for the pawnbroker's sister, Lizaveta, to leave the apartment.
• • Raskolnikov brutally murders the pawnbroker with the axe.
• • Unexpectedly, Lizaveta returns home, and Raskolnikov is forced to murder her as well to avoid being caught.
• • He frantically searches for money but finds very little and is forced to flee the scene.
• • Raskolnikov hides the stolen items and the axe, feeling a mix of triumph and horror.
• • He becomes severely ill, suffering from fever and delirium, a result of the immense psychological strain.
• • His friend, Razumikhin, cares for him during his illness.
• • Detective Porfiry Petrovich, a clever investigator, takes an interest in Raskolnikov.
• • Porfiry begins a series of psychological games with Raskolnikov, hinting he knows about the crime.
• • Raskolnikov meets Sonya Marmeladova, a young woman forced into prostitution to support her family.
• • Sonya is deeply religious and compassionate, embodying Christian forgiveness and suffering.
• • Raskolnikov feels a strange connection to Sonya and begins to confide in her, though not directly about the murder.
• • He visits his mother and sister, experiencing extreme guilt and alienation from them.
• • Dunya breaks off her engagement to Luzhin due to his cruel and manipulative nature.
• • Luzhin tries to frame Sonya for stealing money at a dinner party.
• • Raskolnikov exposes Luzhin's scheme, saving Sonya from disgrace.
• • He continues to be tormented by his conscience and his inability to enjoy the stolen goods.
• • Porfiry Petrovich visits Raskolnikov again, further pressuring him with psychological tactics.
• • Raskolnikov experiences vivid dreams and hallucinations, reflecting his inner turmoil.
• • He confesses his crime to Sonya, who is devastated but urges him to confess to the authorities.
• • Sonya promises to follow him to prison and suffer with him.
• • Raskolnikov struggles with the idea of confessing, still clinging to his pride.
• • He visits the scene of the crime, reliving the horror and seeking absolution.
• • He publicly confesses to the murder, albeit indirectly and dramatically, at the police station.
• • Raskolnikov is arrested and brought to trial.
• • His confession is accepted, and he is sentenced to eight years of hard labor in Siberia.
• • Sonya follows him to Siberia, enduring the harsh conditions to be near him.
• • In Siberia, Raskolnikov initially remains proud and resentful, still not fully understanding his crime.
• • He observes the other prisoners and feels alienated from them.
• • Sonya's constant devotion and love begin to wear down his hardened exterior.
• • Raskolnikov experiences a spiritual awakening and begins to feel genuine remorse.
• • He realizes the emptiness of his intellectual theories and the true meaning of love and redemption.
• • Sonya reads him the story of Lazarus, symbolizing resurrection and new life.
• • Raskolnikov experiences a profound emotional and spiritual transformation.
• • He embraces Sonya's love and begins to find hope for a future.
• • The novel ends with Raskolnikov on the path to recovery, suggesting the possibility of redemption.
• • The story explores themes of guilt, redemption, nihilism, and the nature of good and evil.
• • Dostoevsky critiques radical ideologies and emphasizes the importance of Christian compassion.
• • The characters represent different philosophical and moral viewpoints.
• • The oppressive urban setting contributes to the psychological tension.
• • Raskolnikov's internal struggle is the central focus of the narrative.
• • Sonya's faith and love offer a powerful counterpoint to Raskolnikov's intellectual pride.
• • The novel suggests that true freedom comes from accepting responsibility and seeking forgiveness.