Introduction to “Crime and Punishment”
Crime and Punishment is one of the most famous works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, written in 1866. It is the influential piece of existentialist novel from the Russian literature. The novel is based on the inner conflicts of Rodion Raskolnikov, a poor ex-student in Saint Petersburg, who comes up with and commits a plan to kill a pawnbroker to get her money. However, the act thrusts him into a world of guilt, paranoia and ethical dilemma. He faces the consequences of his actions and the rationalizations that he uses in an attempt to justify them.
The novel raises the most significant concepts, which include morality, redemption, suffering as well as the general state of humanity. Thus, exploring the journey of Raskolnikov, Dostoevsky reveals the important features of the crime and the psychological consequences of guilt and retribution, appealing to the possibilities of sin and repentance. The novel is filled with philosophical and ethical questions, which makes it an important work for the study of the human nature.
Themes in “Crime and Punishment“
1- Crime and Guilt
“I did not bow down to you, I bowed down to all the suffering of humanity.”
The theme of crime and guilt dominates the novel, as Raskolnikov’s crime causes a chain of psychological reactions. The phrase shows his inner conflict and the world suffering he feels a part of.
At the beginning of the novel, Raskolnikov justified his action of killing the old woman as he thought it will make way for a better person in society, a worthless person; however, he is unable to escape the feelings of guilt and regret that come with the crime.
The main symptoms of his guilt are paranoia, hallucinations, and the feeling of spiritual emptiness, which proves the unavoidable retributions of the protagonist’s deeds.
2- Redemption and Forgiveness
“Suffering is a great thing. Suffer bravely, but… He is here, He is suffering too, He does not desert us, and He will forgive.”
Redemption and forgiveness are the major themes that are evident in the novel. In the given novel, the main character, Raskolnikov, looks for a way to confess his crime and obtain forgiveness.
The quote by Sonia refers to the idea that through suffering and repentance, one can attain forgiveness for the sins. Sonia symbolizes the way to repentance, through religion, love, and change of heart, which helps Raskolnikov toward confession and ultimate release.
3- The Duality of Human Nature
“I wanted to become a Napoleon, that is why I killed her… Do you understand now?”
Duality of human nature is another important theme that has been keenly expounded by Dostoevsky through the character of Raskolnikov. He is a smart and sensitive person, but at the same time, he has a dark side that makes him think about the meaninglessness of the life and murder.
This line shows two things: one his internal struggle and the other is twisted notion that people, like Napoleon, are entitled to violate moral codes for the sake of grandeur. Thus, the duality of the nature of main character has been emphasized, which represents the struggle between good and evil within an individual.
4- Alienation and Isolation
“He had cut himself off from everyone and withdrawn to a corner; even his mother and sister were not enough for him; he spent the night in his little closet, pacing up and down like a wild beast.”
In the novel, the alienation and isolation is the prominent theme. It mirrors Raskolnikov’s psyche and his detachment from the society. He further isolates himself, which makes him more psychotic and depressed; he alienates his family and friends, who were once his support system.
The given excerpt shows his physical and emotional separation from the other people, which depicts his psychological state and the alienation that comes with guilt and criminal activities.
5- Justice and Morality
“To go wrong in one’s own way is better than to go right in someone else’s.”
The concepts of justice and morality are evident in the novel, as this piece of work explores the ethical aspects of Raskolnikov’s actions and the issue of justice.
The quote evinces Raskolnikov’s rational of the crime in relation to his belief of the overruling of moral code.
Nevertheless, as the plot develops, it becomes clear that justice as well as morality is not a black and white concept, and the same cannot be described only on the views of a single perspective. In this novel, the author puts forth a lot of issues that test the reader’s ethical understanding of justice.
6- Suffering as a Path to Redemption
“Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth.”
Suffering is a significant concept in Dostoevsky’s works and it is presented as a natural component of human life and a way to salvation. Raskolnikov goes through a major suffering throughout the novel and this takes him to a state of realization and transformation.
The given excerpt reflects that suffering is inherent to those with deep intellect and sensitivity, which is important experience for personal development and repentance.
Thus, the concept of the suffering of the main hero, Raskolnikov, is closely connected with the notion that people can acquire spiritual renewal and atonement through the process of suffering and experiencing the pain.
7- Poverty and Desperation
“He had delayed and delayed… and his hunger was increasing; he had not eaten for two days.”
The issue of poverty and desperation is prevalent throughout the novel and plays a major role in the characters’ behavior and decisions.
The issues of poverty, Raskolnikov’s financial problem, and the suffering of people in 19th-century Russia have been depicted vividly.
This quote shows how Raskolnikov is propelled to think and act out his crime, which portrays how poverty pushes people into moral and ethical corruption.
8- The Influence of Ideology
“Man has it all in his hands, and it all slips through his fingers from sheer cowardice.”
The influence of ideology is one of the most significant themes in the novel, as Raskolnikov’s behavior is under influence of his philosophical attitudes.
The quote is existentialistic and nihilistic: it stresses choice and the ability of the people to fail to act due to despair.
Raskolnikov’s philosophy puts him in a position that he committed the murder in order to become great, but his encounters bring him to questioning and shattering of his own beliefs. Thus, the novel is devoted to the description of the dangers of radical ideologies and their influence on the person’s actions and moral values.
9- Redemption through Confession
“But at the same moment something seemed to seize his heart, wringing it and wringing it, and he felt it all over again. At that very moment he was standing in the middle of the square, before the Cathedral of Our Lady.”
Redemption through confession is the crucial theme in the novel. Raskolnikov becomes an emotional and mentally tortured man, who is affected by guilt to the extent that he has a moment of spiritual breakdown.
The excerpt shows the extent of his internal conflict and the moment of decision that leads him to the gates of confession.
In Dostoevsky’s works confession is depicted as an effective and liberating process that is crucial for the improvement of an individual’s moral and spiritual state. Thus, the inevitability of confession, which is illustrated in Raskolnikov’s case, reveals that the novel is a story about redemption.
Summary of “Crime and Punishment“
Crime and Punishment is the work of fictional literature that presents the psychological and philosophical development of the main protagonist Rodion Raskolnikov who is a poor and a former student in the city of Saint Petersburg.
Raskolnikov, who doubts himself and is in despair, comes up with a plan to kill Alyona Ivanovna, a pawnbroker, thinking that this will help society. But after the murder, he becomes a very guilty and paranoiac man with confused ethical values.
The novel portrays the internal conflict that Raskolnikov suffers as a result of the murder. He is a man with guilt complex, he sees ghosts, and becomes very erratic and stays away from his family and friends.
At the same time, he develops a good relationship with Sonia, a religious woman who turns him into a man with a purpose to change for the better.
See also: The Second Coming (Themes & Poetic Devices)
Raskolnikov undergoes a process of suffering as a way of finding redemption as witnessed in the novel and this is in accordance with Dostoevsky’s philosophy. The concepts of crime and guilt, the possibility of change and forgiveness, the concept of man’s two faces, loneliness and isolation, justice and ethical principles, and the question of faith are explored in the novel. Thus, the novel of Dostoevsky explores the idea of human nature and individual responsibilities and consequences of an individual’s decisions.
In the end of the novel, the internal struggle of Raskolnikov ends in a moment of spiritual crisis and confession. His confession of the crime and imprisonment indicates a journey toward repentance and moral revival. The novel provides as intense exploration of the human nature, morality and the possibility of redemption, which makes it a lasting and eternal work of the literature.
