Crime and Punishment

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 to 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, exploring themes like Alienation and Shame, Criminality, and The Necessity of Suffering.

Dostoevsky, a stalwart of Russian literature, is widely considered one of the world’s greatest psychological fiction writers. All his works, including this much-heralded novel, have been adapted for film, television, and theater. Crime and Punishment is considered a literary classic, as are his novels The Idiot (1869) and The Brothers Karamazov (1880), and his novella Notes from the Underground (1864).

This guide uses the translation by Nicolas Pasternak Slater.

Plot Summary

A poor, paranoid 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 humanity’s greater good. Raskolnikov lives in a tiny apartment, spends what little money he has on strange, altruistic causes, and plots a mysterious, terrible deed that will prove his superiority.

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 when she unexpectedly intrudes on the murder scene. Raskolnikov escapes the crime scene but soon falls ill with a fever, spending 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.

Later, Raskolnikov rises from his sick bed and sneaks out. He frantically reads newspapers, which he’s done every day since the murders. When Raskolnikov runs into a police officer, he nearly confesses to the crimes—and his frantic ranting raises suspicion in the police department.

One day as Raskolnikov is walking to the police station, he 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 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 hoping to seduce Dunia.

Memories of the murders plague Raskolnikov. When he discovers that the local police magistrate Porfiry is interviewing the pawnbroker’s clients, Raskolnikov requests the return of his own pawned items. His strange conversation with Porfiry only leads to more suspicion.

Afterward, while preparing for Marmeladov’s funeral, Raskolnikov and Sonia talk about religion and morality. Raskolnikov pities Sonia, who was forced into prostitution by poverty. Raskolnikov decides to tell her who murdered the two women, promising to return the next day.

Porfiry interviews Raskolnikov again. Though he is certain Raskolnikov is the murderer, he does not yet have proof. Raskolnikov visits Sonia and tells her what he did. In the room next door, Svidrigailov eavesdrops on the conversation and learns the truth. Later, Svidrigailov tries to use this knowledge to blackmail Dunia into marriage. She refuses him, accuses him of murdering his wife, and tries to shoot him in the head. She misses, but Svidrigailov realizes Dunia will never love him. He lets her go and dies by suicide the next day.

After a man is arrested after falsely confessing to the murders, Porfiry visits Raskolnikov and reveals he knows the truth. However, he wishes to give Raskolnikov time to make a sincere confession. After an anxious night, and with support from Sonia, Raskolnikov visits the police station and confesses. He is sentenced to a penal colony in Siberia, where Sonia joins him. While there, he pieces his life back together.