Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1866). Summary of the book.

by

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1866)

Summary of the Book

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a psychological thriller set in St. Petersburg, Russia in the late 19th century. The novel focuses on the story of Raskolnikov, an impoverished former student, who commits a heinous crime in order to test his own beliefs about morality. Throughout the novel, the reader is taken on a journey through Raskolnikov’s inner thoughts and feelings as he attempts to come to terms with his crime and its consequences.

The novel questions the morality of justice and punishment and is considered to be a philosophical exploration of the human condition. In Crime and Punishment, Dostoyevsky examines questions such as: Is it ever right to break the law? Is it possible to be a good person in spite of a criminal past? Is it possible for someone to be both a criminal and a victim at the same time? Is it possible to find redemption after committing a crime?

Main Characters

  • Raskolnikov: The protagonist of the novel, Raskolnikov is a former student who commits a heinous crime and struggles to come to terms with his guilt throughout the novel.
  • Sonia Marmeladov: A prostitute and Raskolnikov’s friend and confidante.
  • Porfiry Petrovich: The police investigator assigned to solve the crime.
  • Dunya Raskolnikov: Raskolnikov’s sister, who is engaged to a wealthy man.
  • Luise Ivanovna: A pawnbroker and the victim of Raskolnikov’s crime.
  • Alyona Ivanovna: Luise Ivanovna’s sister, who is also killed by Raskolnikov.

Plot Summary

The novel begins with Raskolnikov planning a murder. He kills an old pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanovna, and her sister, Lizaveta, in order to steal her money. After committing the crime, Raskolnikov falls into a deep depression and begins to feel guilty for his actions. He then meets Sonia Marmeladov, a prostitute and daughter of a destitute family, and confesses his crime to her.

Porfiry Petrovich, the police investigator assigned to solve the case, quickly begins to suspect Raskolnikov. Porfiry’s psychological tactics cause Raskolnikov to doubt himself and even consider confessing. However, before he can do so, he is arrested and put on trial.

At the trial, Raskolnikov’s lawyer attempts to defend him, but is unsuccessful. Raskolnikov is sentenced to eight years in Siberia. After his sentence is complete, Raskolnikov returns to St. Petersburg and is reunited with Sonia.

In the novel’s epilogue, Raskolnikov is depicted as a changed man. He has come to terms with his crime and is now able to find peace and redemption.

Curiosities and Interesting Facts

  • Crime and Punishment is considered to be Dostoyevsky’s most famous work.
  • The novel is divided into six parts, each focusing on a different stage of Raskolnikov’s journey.
  • The novel has been adapted into several films and stage plays.
  • The novel has been translated into numerous languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese.
  • The novel has been studied and discussed by scholars and critics since its publication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the novel Crime and Punishment about?

A: Crime and Punishment is a psychological thriller by Fyodor Dostoyevsky set in St. Petersburg, Russia in the late 19th century. The novel focuses on the story of Raskolnikov, an impoverished former student, who commits a heinous crime in order to test his own beliefs about morality.

Q: Who are the main characters in Crime and Punishment?

A: The main characters in Crime and Punishment are Raskolnikov, Sonia Marmeladov, Porfiry Petrovich, Dunya Raskolnikov, Luise Ivanovna, and Alyona Ivanovna.

Q: What is the plot of Crime and Punishment?

A: The novel begins with Raskolnikov planning a murder. He kills an old pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanovna, and her sister, Lizaveta, in order to steal her money. After committing the crime, Raskolnikov falls into a deep depression and begins to feel guilty for his actions. He then meets Sonia Marmeladov, a prostitute and daughter of a destitute family, and confesses his crime to her. Porfiry Petrovich, the police investigator assigned to solve the case, quickly begins to suspect Raskolnikov. Porfiry’s psychological tactics cause Raskolnikov to doubt himself and even consider confessing. However, before he can do so, he is arrested and put on trial. At the trial, Raskolnikov’s lawyer attempts to defend him, but is unsuccessful. Raskolnikov is sentenced to eight years in Siberia. After his sentence is complete, Raskolnikov returns to St. Petersburg and is reunited with Sonia. In the novel’s epilogue, Raskolnikov is depicted as a changed man. He has come to terms with his crime and is now able to find peace and redemption.

Q: Are there any curiosities or interesting facts about the novel Crime and Punishment?

A: Yes, there are several curiosities and interesting facts about the novel Crime and Punishment. The novel is considered to be Dostoyevsky’s most famous work. It is divided into six parts, each focusing on a different stage of Raskolnikov’s journey. The novel has been adapted into several films and stage plays. It has been translated into numerous languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. It has also been studied and discussed by scholars and critics since its publication.

Related books:

  1. Short Stories by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Summary of the book.
  2. The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Summary of the book.
  3. The Possessed (The Devils) by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Summary of the book.
  4. The Grand Inquisitor by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Summary of the book.
  5. White Nights and Other Stories by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Summary of the book.
  6. The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1868). Summary of the book.
  7. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1880). Summary of the book.
  8. Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah (2016). Summary of the book.
  9. The Crime of Father Amaro by José Maria de Eça de Queiroz. Summary of the book.
  10. My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult (2004). Summary of the book.
  11. Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Summary of the book.
  12. First Love by Ivan Turgenev. Summary of the book.
  13. The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar by Maurice Leblanc. Summary of the book.
  14. Oblomov by Ivan Goncharov. Summary of the book.
  15. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Summary of the book.
  16. The Asphalt Jungle by WR Burnett. Summary of the book.
  17. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami (1994). Summary of the book.
  18. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Summary of the book.
  19. Live Flesh by Ruth Rendell. Summary of the book.
  20. Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals by Immanuel Kant. Summary of the book.
  21. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (1926). Summary of the book.
  22. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (1876). Summary of the book.
  23. The History Man by Malcolm Bradbury. Summary of the book.
  24. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Complete by Mark Twain. Summary of the book.
  25. Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt (2012). Summary of the book.
  26. The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood (2000). Summary of the book.
  27. Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King (2014). Summary of the book.
  28. Titmuss Regained by John Mortimer. Summary of the book.
  29. Silence of the Grave by Arnadur Indridason. Summary of the book.
  30. Vathek by William Beckford. Summary of the book.
  31. The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie. Summary of the book.
  32. Cover Her Face by PD James. Summary of the book.
  33. I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb (1998). Summary of the book.
  34. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (2013). Summary of the book.
  35. LA Confidential by James Ellroy. Summary of the book.
  36. Beastly by Alex Flinn (2007). Summary of the book.
  37. The Dinner by Herman Koch (2009). Summary of the book.
  38. The Lady with the Dog and Other Stories by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. Summary of the book.
  39. Little Women by Louise May Alcott (1862). Summary of the book.
  40. Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell (1990). Summary of the book.
  41. Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo. Summary of the book.
  42. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (2014). Summary of the book.
  43. Dead Lagoon by Michael Dibdin. Summary of the book.
  44. Exit Music by Ian Rankin. Summary of the book.
  45. Under Western Eyes by Joseph Conrad. Summary of the book.
  46. The Laughing Policeman by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo. Summary of the book.
  47. Boy in the Ivy: The Inner Child of a Buried Man by T. McKinley. Summary of the book.
  48. Eugene Oneguine [Onegin] by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin. Summary of the book.
  49. The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George V Higgins. Summary of the book.
  50. Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith. Summary of the book.

Leave a Comment