Summary
Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment, first published in 1866, remains one of the most influential and widely read works of Russian literature. The story follows Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished former student in St. Petersburg who formulates a plan to murder a pawnbroker for her money. Through Raskolnikov's psychological torment after the crime, Dostoyevsky explores profound questions of morality, free will, and redemption. With its gripping plot and complex characters, Crime and Punishment has captivated readers for more than 150 years and inspired numerous adaptations, including a notable 1935 Hollywood film starring Peter Lorre.
Plot
Rodion Raskolnikov, a destitute former student in St. Petersburg, devises a plan to murder an elderly pawnbroker for her money. He justifies this act by telling himself that she is a “worthless” person and he will use the money for good deeds. Raskolnikov carries out the murder, killing both the pawnbroker and her sister who unexpectedly arrives at the scene. Though he manages to escape undetected, Raskolnikov is soon wracked with guilt and paranoia over his actions.
As the police investigate the murders, Raskolnikov behaves erratically, drawing suspicion from the detective Porfiry Petrovich. Meanwhile, Raskolnikov befriends Sonya, a young prostitute, and becomes romantically involved with her. He eventually confesses his crime to Sonya, who urges him to turn himself in. Raskolnikov also contends with the unexpected arrival of his mother and sister in St. Petersburg, as well as the machinations of the devious Svidrigailov, who overheard his confession to Sonya.
After a series of tense encounters with Porfiry, who plays mind games to elicit a confession, Raskolnikov finally turns himself in to the police. He is sentenced to eight years of penal servitude in Siberia. Sonya follows him there, and through her love and support, Raskolnikov gradually finds redemption and spiritual renewal during his time in prison.
Themes
Guilt and redemption
Rationalism vs. faith
Free will and moral responsibility
Alienation and isolation in urban society
The psychological effects of poverty
The conflict between ideals and reality
The nature of justice and punishment
Setting
Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment takes place in mid-19th century Russia, specifically in the capital city of Saint Petersburg. The novel is set against the backdrop of the social and political upheaval of 1860s Russia, as the country was grappling with rapid modernization and Western influences. This era saw the emancipation of the serfs and the rise of radical political ideologies, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and moral questioning that is reflected in the novel's themes.
Saint Petersburg itself plays a crucial role in the story, almost functioning as a character in its own right. Dostoyevsky vividly portrays the city's squalid slums, crowded tenements, and oppressive summer heat. The cramped, stuffy rooms and winding streets mirror the psychological state of the protagonist, Raskolnikov. Key locations include Raskolnikov's tiny attic room, the pawnbroker's apartment where the murders take place, and various taverns and public spaces where characters interact.
Within this urban landscape, Dostoyevsky explores the stark contrasts between rich and poor. The novel moves between impoverished neighborhoods where characters struggle to survive and more affluent areas that highlight the social inequalities of the time. This setting provides a fitting backdrop for the moral and philosophical questions at the heart of the story, as Raskolnikov navigates a city that seems to embody the very conflicts tormenting his soul.
Characters
Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov: The protagonist, a poor former student who commits murder to test his theory that extraordinary people are above moral law. He suffers extreme psychological torment after the crime.
Sofya Semyonovna Marmeladova (Sonya): A young woman forced into prostitution to support her impoverished family. Deeply religious, she becomes Raskolnikov's love interest and moral guide.
Porfiry Petrovich: The clever detective in charge of investigating the murders. He engages in psychological duels with Raskolnikov.
Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikova (Dunya): Raskolnikov's devoted sister. She is initially engaged to Luzhin but later falls in love with Razumikhin.
Dmitry Prokofich Razumikhin: Raskolnikov's loyal friend and fellow former student. He falls in love with Dunya.
Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov: A depraved former employer of Dunya who pursues her. Complex character capable of both evil and generosity.
Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin: A wealthy, arrogant man initially engaged to Dunya. His true nature is revealed as selfish and manipulative.
Semyon Zakharovich Marmeladov: An alcoholic civil servant and Sonya's father. His confession to Raskolnikov early in the novel foreshadows themes of suffering and redemption.
Quick facts
Crime and Punishment was originally published in 12 monthly installments in a literary journal called The Russian Messenger in 1866.
Dostoyevsky wrote much of the novel in a state of desperate poverty while living abroad to escape creditors.
The character of Sonya was partly inspired by Dostoyevsky's future wife, Anna Snitkina, who worked as his stenographer while he was writing the novel.
Dostoyevsky originally planned for the story to be told from the first-person perspective of the murderer but changed it to third-person omniscient.
The novel's themes were heavily influenced by Dostoyevsky's own time in Siberian prison camps after being arrested for revolutionary activities.
Raskolnikov's name comes from the Russian word for “schism,” reflecting the character's internal psychological divide.
Crime and Punishment is considered one of the first great psychological thrillers in literature.
Dostoyevsky wrote much of the novel at a frantic pace to meet deadlines, sometimes working for up to 16 hours a day.
The character of investigator Porfiry Petrovich is considered an early example of the intellectual detective archetype in fiction.
Despite its dark themes, the novel was an immediate commercial and critical success in Russia upon publication.
About the Author
Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881) was one of the most influential Russian novelists of the 19th century. Born in Moscow, he began his literary career in his 20s with the publication of his first novel, Poor Folk. Dostoyevsky's early success was interrupted by his arrest and exile to Siberia for alleged involvement in revolutionary activities. This experience had a profound impact on his worldview and later writings.
Upon returning from exile, Dostoyevsky wrote some of his most acclaimed works, including Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, Demons, and The Brothers Karamazov. His novels are known for their psychological depth, philosophical and religious themes, and vivid portrayals of human suffering and moral dilemmas. He explored complex ideas about free will, morality, and the nature of good and evil through his deeply flawed yet compelling characters. Stylistically, Dostoyevsky was innovative in his use of polyphony—the presence of multiple narrative voices and perspectives within a single work. His writing was often intense and dramatic, with long philosophical discussions interspersed with moments of humor and acute psychological insight.
Dostoyevsky’s works have been translated into more than 170 languages and continue to be widely read and studied today. His penetrating explorations of the human condition ensure his place as one of the towering figures of Russian and world literature.
