Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky Crime and Punishment plunges into the tormented psyche of Rodion Raskolnikov, a destitute ex-student in St. Petersburg who murders a pawnbroker to test his theory that extraordinary men may commit crimes for a higher purpose. What follows is not a detective story but a harrowing exploration of guilt, conscience, and redemption. Dostoevsky, drawing from his own near-execution and Siberian exile, crafts a psychological labyrinth where ideology clashes with morality. Raskolnikov’s feverish rationalizations collapse under the weight of his own humanity, embodied by Sonya, a humble prostitute whose Christian compassion becomes his path to salvation. The novel critiques utilitarianism, nihilism, and radical individualism, warning that separating intellect from empathy leads to spiritual ruin. Set against a backdrop of urban poverty and social decay, it remains startlingly modern in its portrayal of alienation and mental anguish. Dostoevsky doesn’t just ask whether crime can be justified—he asks what makes us human when we lose our moral compass. The answer, he suggests, lies not in reason alone, but in suffering, humility, and love.
Add Comment + Vote ( 1 )...
There are currently no comments!