Crime and Punishment is a novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. It was first published in the literary journal The Russian Messenger in twelve monthly installments during 1866. It was later published in a single volume.
Crime and Punishment Summary
Crime and Punishment is a novel by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky, first published in 1866. The story charts the alienation of a student named Raskolnikov, who decides to commit the perfect crime as a way of philosophically proving his superiority over others.
The novel traces the depths of his mental disintegration as he comes to grips with the psychological consequences of being a murderer. Crime and Punishment!
Dostoevsky is widely considered one of the world’s greatest psychological fiction writers, and is a stalwart of Russian literature. All of his works, including this much-heralded novel, have been adapted for film, television, and theatre. This guide uses the translation by Nicolas Pasternak Slater.
A poor, paranoid young student named Raskolnikov convinces himself that he is extraordinary. He develops a theory to suggest that the world’s most extraordinary men should be permitted to commit any crime in pursuit of the greater good of humanity.
Raskolnikov lives in a tiny apartment, spends what little money he has on strange, altruistic causes, and plots some mysterious, terrible deed that will prove his superiority. Crime and Punishment!
Finally, Raskolnikov decides to test his theory. He murders an elderly pawnbroker whom he considers a leech on society. He also murders the pawnbroker’s half-sister, who intrudes on the murder scene unexpectedly.
Raskolnikov escapes the scene of the crime, but soon falls ill with a fever and spends several days unconscious in his tiny apartment. When Raskolnikov begins to recover, he learns that his sister Dunia plans to marry a pompous, wealthy man named Luzhin.
Raskolnikov is furious, believing that Dunia is sacrificing her happiness on his behalf. When Luzhin comes to see Raskolnikov in Saint Petersburg, Raskolnikov erupts with anger and throws insults at his prospective brother-in-law.
Raskolnikov rises from his sick bed and sneaks out. He frantically reads the newspapers every day since the murders. When Raskolnikov runs into a police officer, he nearly confesses to the crimes—and his frantic ranting raises suspicions in the police department.
Raskolnikov runs out of the police station and sees his drinking buddy, a clerk named Marmeladov, lying in the street fatally wounded by a stagecoach. Marmeladov is carried to the small apartment he shares with his family.
Feeling sorry for the grieving family—particularly Marmeladov’s teenage daughter Sonia—Raskolnikov leaves behind all of his money to pay for Marmeladov’s funeral.
Raskolnikov is surprised to find his mother and sister on his doorstep. They have come to prepare for Dunia’s marriage to Luzhin. Enraged, Raskolnikov forbids his sister from marrying Luzhin.
Dunia’s former employer, a rich man named Svidrigailov, arrives in Saint Petersburg. His extramarital pursuit of Dunia caused a scandal that nearly ruined her reputation in the provinces. Now that Svidrigailov’s wife is dead, he has come to Saint Petersburg in the hopes that he can seduce Dunia.
Memories of the murders plague Raskolnikov. When he discovers that the local police magistrate Porfiry has begun to interview all of the pawnbroker’s clients, Raskolnikov requests the return of his own pawned items. His strange conversation with Porfiry only leads to more suspicion. Crime and Punishment!
Afterward, while preparing for Marmeladov’s funeral, Raskolnikov and Sonia prepare talk about religion and morality. Raskolnikov pities Sonia, who has been forced into prostitution by her poverty. Raskolnikov decides to tell her who murdered the two women, promising to return the next day.
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About the Author
Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, sometimes transliterated as Dostoyevsky, was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist and journalist.
