Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevski
"Crime and Punishment" is a novel by Fyodor Dostoevski that centers around Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished student living in St. Petersburg. The narrative explores Raskolnikov's internal struggles after he commits a brutal double murder, targeting a pawnbroker and her sister, believing he can justify his actions as a means to achieve a greater good. Following the crime, he experiences acute psychological torment and paranoia, grappling with the moral implications of his actions and the fear of being apprehended.
As Raskolnikov interacts with various characters, including his family, a detective named Porfiry, and Sonia, a compassionate young woman, he confronts themes of guilt, redemption, and the nature of morality. The novel delves into the complexities of Raskolnikov's psyche, illustrating his descent into despair and the eventual realization of his need for confession and atonement. Ultimately, Raskolnikov's journey leads him to a prison sentence in Siberia, where he begins a path toward redemption, aided by Sonia's unwavering support and kindness. The story raises profound questions about the justification of crime, the capacity for change, and the influence of love and compassion in overcoming despair.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevski
First published:Prestupleniye i nakazaniye, 1866 (English translation, 1886)
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Psychological realism
Time of plot: Mid-nineteenth century
Locale: Russia
Principal characters
Raskolnikov , a Russian studentDounia , his sisterSonia , a prostitutePorfiry , the inspector of policeRazumihin , Raskolnikov’s friend
The Story
Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished student in St. Petersburg, dreams of committing the perfect crime. He murders an old widowed pawnbroker and her stepsister with an ax and steals some jewelry from their flat. Back in his room, Raskolnikov receives a summons from the police. Weak from hunger and illness, he prepares to make a full confession. The police, however, call merely to ask him to pay a debt his landlady reported to them. When he discovers what they want, he collapses from relief. Upon being revived, he is questioned, and his answers provoke suspicion.
Raskolnikov hides the jewelry under a rock in a courtyard. He returns to his room, where he remains for four days with a high fever. When he recovers, he learns that the authorities visited him while he was delirious and that he said things during his fever that tended to cast further suspicion on him.
Luzhin, betrothed to Raskolnikov’s sister Dounia, comes to St. Petersburg from the provinces to prepare for the wedding. Raskolnikov resents Luzhin because he knows his sister is marrying to provide money for Raskolnikov. Luzhin visits Raskolnikov and leaves in a rage when the young man makes no attempt to hide his dislike for him.
A sudden calm comes upon the young murderer; he goes out and reads the accounts of the murders in the papers. While he is reading, a detective joins him. The student, in a high pitch of excitement caused by his crime and by his sickness, talks too much, revealing to the detective that he might well be the murderer. No evidence, however, can be found that puts direct suspicion on him.
Later, witnessing a suicide attempt in the slums of St. Petersburg, Raskolnikov decides to turn himself over to the police; but he is deterred when his friend, a former clerk named Marmeladov, is struck by a carriage and killed. Raskolnikov gives the widow a small amount of money he received from his mother. Later, he attends a party given by some of his friends and discovers that they, too, suspect him of complicity in the murder of the two women.
Back in his room, Raskolnikov finds his mother and his sister, who are awaiting his return. Unnerved at their appearance and not wanting them to be near him, he places them in the care of his friend, Razumihin, who, upon meeting Dounia, is immediately attracted to her.
In an interview with Porfiry, the chief of the murder investigation, Raskolnikov is mentally tortured by questions and ironic statements until he is ready to believe that he is all but apprehended for the double crime. Partly in his own defense, he expounds his theory that any means justifies the ends of a man of genius and that sometimes he believes himself a man of genius. Raskolnikov proves to his mother and Dounia that Luzhin is a pompous fool, and the angry suitor is dismissed. Razumihin by that time replaces Luzhin in the girl’s affections.
Meanwhile, Svidrigailov, who caused Dounia great suffering while she was employed as his governess, arrives in St. Petersburg. His wife died, and he followed Dounia, as he explains, to atone for his sins against her by settling upon her a large amount of money.
Razumihin receives money from a rich uncle and goes into the publishing business with Dounia. They ask Raskolnikov to join them in the venture, but the student, whose mind and heart are full of turmoil, declines. He says good-bye to his friend and to his mother and sister and asks them not to try to see him again.
He goes to Sonia, the prostitute and daughter of the dead Marmeladov. They read Sonia’s Bible together. Raskolnikov is deeply impressed by the wretched girl’s faith. He feels a great sympathy for Sonia and promises to tell her who committed the murders of the old pawnbroker and stepsister. Svidrigailov, who rents the room next to Sonia’s, overhears the conversation, and he anticipates Raskolnikov’s disclosure with interest. Tortured in his own mind, Raskolnikov goes to the police station, where Porfiry plays another game of cat-and-mouse with him. Raskolnikov’s conscience and his paranoia result in immense suffering and torment of mind for him.
At a banquet given by Marmeladov’s widow for the friends of her late husband, Luzhin accuses Sonia of stealing money from his room. He observes Raskolnikov’s interest in Sonia, and he wishes to hurt the student for having spoken against him to Dounia. The girl is saved by the report of a neighbor who saw Luzhin slipping money into Sonia’s pocket. Later, in Sonia’s room, Raskolnikov confesses his crime and admits that in killing the two women he actually destroyed himself.
Svidrigailov overhears the confession and discloses his knowledge to Raskolnikov. Believing that Porfiry suspects him of the murder and realizing that Svidrigailov knows the truth, Raskolnikov finds life unbearable. Then Porfiry tells Raskolnikov outright that he is the murderer, at the same time promising Raskolnikov that a plea of temporary insanity will be placed in his behalf and his sentence will be mitigated if he confesses. Raskolnikov delays his confession.
Svidrigailov informs Dounia of the truth concerning her brother, and he now offers to save the student if Dounia will consent to be his wife. He makes this offer to her in his room, which he locks after tricking her into the meeting. He releases her when she attempts unsuccessfully to shoot him with a pistol she brought with her. Convinced at last that Dounia intends to reject him, Svidrigailov gives her a large sum of money and ends his life with the pistol.
Raskolnikov, after being reassured by his mother and his sister of their love for him, and by Sonia of her undying devotion, turns himself over to the police. He is tried and sentenced to serve eight years in Siberia. Dounia and Razumihin, now successful publishers, are married. Sonia follows Raskolnikov to Siberia, where she stays in a village near the prison camp. In her goodness to Raskolnikov and to the other prisoners, she comes to be known as Little Mother Sonia. With her inspiring example, Raskolnikov begins his regeneration.
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