Book Review: Crime and Punishment

I just spent the past few weeks reading the classic novel of Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky written in 1866. To my surprise I was actually able to follow along pretty well with the book. Sometimes with older works of literature I find it much more challenging to comprehend the details. This was especially the case when I read War and Peace or David Copperfield immense books loaded with far too much detail. Crime and Punishment was the perfect length at around 450 pages and kept my attention throughout the whole book. I found it to be a very enjoyable read, rather on the dark side, but still such an original plot, unlike any I had read before.

As I mentioned in my previous post on the biography of Fyodor Dostoevsky, I first learned of this classic novel from the show Lost. I later came to better understand it's significance throughout my various phases of Russian culture appreciation. The novel of Crime and Punishment stands at the precipice of great Russian Literature, alongside Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace. I briefly studied the book in my post regarding the top 100 works of literature. I came to better understand the plot by watching the BBC series produced in 2002 starring John Simm as Raskolnikov and Ian McDiarmid playing the Detective Porfiry. I truly enjoyed the show, not only for it's production, but it's depiction of 1860s St. Petersburg Russia. 

I bought the book a few years ago and was just waiting for the right time to finally take it on. I knew it would be a rather dark and scandalous book as it pertains to an insane person who has just committed a murder. But I feel that I am mature enough to look beyond that and see it more as a study of psychology. Dostoevsky creates a masterpiece here, by taking us inside the mind of his protagonist Raskolnikov as he struggles with his conscious throughout the book. This book was one of the earliest examples of a psychological fiction that no doubt inspired other works and films such as the Black Swan or anything by Alfred Hitchcock. 

The Plot

The book is set in the booming city of St. Petersburg 1866, where the main character Rodion Raskolnikov is a recent college drop-out and living in poverty. He is a very intelligent recluse, maybe even a genius, however lacks any direction or ambition. He is suddenly overwhelmed with a dark urge to murder the local pawnbroker. She is an elderly woman, who is often quite nasty to him and gives him very low prices for his items. Raskolnikov convinces himself that she is of no value to society, and he can steal from her to improve his contributions to society. 

Raskolnikov is able to set aside these urges when he meets a drunken official named Marmeladov who shares his life story with him, including that of his daughter Sonia who must work as a prostitute to help provide for the impoverished family. He later receives a letter from his mother, that his sister Dounia is going to marry a wealthy suitor, who can help support them. Raskolnikov is especially frustrated by this news, that his sister must marry for wealth to help support him and his mother. He is once again overcome by his dark urge and hides an axe within his coat. He visits the pawnbroker once again and kills her with the blunt-end of the axe. He then must also kill her sister, who catches him at the scene of the crime. In a state of total distress Raskolnikov is only able to collect a small portion of the pawnbroker's wealth before fleeing.

From this point on Raskolnikov descends into further depression, illness, and sheer madness. He is further shocked when he is summoned to the police station without knowing why. At the police station he is extremely pale and nervous as he approaches the front desk to find the reason for his summoning. He is quite relieved to discover it is only due to the landlady's complaints for rent. However he later here's conversation of the recent murder of the pawnbroker and this causes him to faint. The police grow quite suspicious of his behavior but eventually let him leave the station once he has recovered. 

Raskolnikov is later comforted by his old college friend Razumikhin who also brings a medical student Zosimov to offer him some treatment. He is then visited by his sister's new suitor named Luzhin, of which Raskolnikov takes an instant disliking towards and kicks him out. Raskolnikov then leaves his apartment aimlessly and wanders into a tavern where he encounters an officer that saw him faint at the police station. At this point Raskolnikov begins to mock and test the police's knowledge of the crime, even offering himself as a potential suspect. The police officer dismisses him as a drunken college kid. Raskolnikov however continues to play with fire, and visits the scene of the crime. Here he continues to push his guilty conscious as he tells the workers nearby to join him as he confesses to the police station. Before he can go on with this however, he witnesses Marmeladov crushed by a carriage in the street. 

Raskolnikov is suddenly awoken from his mad rage and helps assist Marmeladov's return to his family. It is however too late for Marmeladov and his family mourns his death. In a great act of charity Raskolnikov gives all his money to his wife, Katerina Ivanova to help take care of the children. Sonia also witnesses this act of kindness and takes to liking him. Raskolnikov finally returns back to his apartment quite late and exhausted and is shocked to discover his mother and sister awaiting him there. They are overjoyed to see him for this first time in 3 years, however Raskolnikov cannot deal with anymore stress and collapses into a faint. His friend Razumkihin calms the mother and sister after witnessing this.

The next day Raskolnikov is a bit more rested and able to converse with his mother and sister. They show him a letter from Luzhin, that clearly requests that Raskolnikov not be present at their dinner. Dounia wants her brother to be there, and he also agrees that he will join her and help confront him on this matter of dislike. After this Sonia arrives to ask if he will attend her father's funeral. Raskolnikov agrees that he will and it becomes clear that he is quite taken with Sonia. His mother on the other hand finds it offensive that her son is in love with a prostitute and considers it an explanation for his recent strange behavior. 

After all this, Razumkihin takes Raskolnikov to meet his cousin who happens to be the detective Porifry Petrovich. Raskolnikov is quickly bothered by Porifry's witty remarks and subtle insinuations directed at Raskolnikov regarding the murder. He even describes an article published by Raskolnikov which essentially claims that there are extraordinary geniuses such as Napoleon who are able to get away with crime. Porifry plays with Raskolnikov's theory and even wonders if Raskolnikov thinks himself as one of these extraordinary people who can commit a crime without punishment. They are eventually able to part ways but Porifry requests to speak with him again, which only increases Raskolnikov's suspicious that the police are on to him.

Raskolnikov continues to descend into further fear, guilt, and madness and has nightmares about those he killed. He is then visited by a mysterious stranger named Svidrigailov, who was a former employer of Dounia. Svidrigailov shares his story pertaining to the death of his wife, his infatuation with Dounia, and his dislike of Luzhin. Svidrigailov even offers Raskolnikov money to give to his sister, however Raskolnikov refuses and parts ways with the strange man. He later meets with his mother and sister at the planned dinner with Luzhin to share this alarming detail. After that the group openly discusses the conflict between Raskolnikov and Luzhin, of which Luzhin declares that he has been offended and agrees to call off the marriage. After all this excitement Raskolnikov shockingly tells his mother and sister that this will be the last time they see him and it's best to forget him.

After this Raskolnikov visits Sonia, who he has come to like, yet acts delirious and even frightens her with many questions. He forces her to read the bible, particularly the story of Lazarus, and he is impressed with her devotion to God. He later discovers that she was friends with the pawnbrokers sister, whom he murdered. Raskolnikov shares his love for her, and tells her that the two must share their misery together. He also tells her he will return the next day to tell her who killed the pawnbroker and her sister. After his meeting with Sonia, he goes to revisit the detective Porifry for further questioning. Once again the two dance around the crime details, but it becomes all the more clear that Porifry knows he is guilty, however is pushing for a confession. Once again Raskolnikov holds his nerve and tells Porifry if he does not have any evidence or accusations to allow him to leave. 

The next day Raskolnikov attends the funeral of Marmeladov and the lavish banquet that follows. The hostess and widow Katerina Ivanova is a drunken emotional state throughout the event. The drama grows worse when Luzhin arrives and accuses Sonia of stealing from her. This leads to a great argument and eventually it is discovered that Luzhin planted the money in her pocket, only to cause a rift between Sonia and Raskolnikov. Luzhin had hoped to get back at Raskolnikov for ruining his marriage with his sister, however this scheme failed. Luzhin then leaves the party with great disgrace.

Raskolnikov then meets him up with a very emotional Sonia to help comfort her, but also to make his confession to her. At this point he openly admits to murdering the pawnbroker and her sister (who happened to be a friend of Sonia's). Sonia is naturally shocked and in denial at first, thinking he is not the murdering type. Raskolnikov attempts to explain his motives for the murder but with Sonia's help comes to the realization that he must turn himself in. At that point their meeting is suddenly cut short when they are informed that Ivanova has drank herself to ruin. She is brought to Sonia's room where she quickly dies from this madness. Out of nowhere Svidrigailov appears and offers to pay for the children's orphanages. Raskolnikov is confused by Svidrigailov's sudden motives, who intended to give that money to his sister Dounia. Svidrigailov explains that it was an act of charity, and that she wasn't as nasty a person as the pawnbroker was. This explanation makes it clear that Svidigailov heard Raskolnikov's recent confession to Sonia, and knows that he committed the murder.

From this point on Raskolnikov finds himself in a fog of madness wandering around St. Petersburg. He once again bumps into the detective Porifry, who tells him he is going to arrest him soon but that it would be smarter if he gave himself up. Raskolnikov parts ways once again with Porifry unsure what to do, but more intent to find the strange Svidrigailov, whom has it out for his sister. That night he finally confronts Svidrigailov who is drinking at a tavern and tells him to stay away from his sister. However Svidrigailov still meets with Douina that night, entraps her in a room, and tells her he will turn her brother to the police if she does not marry him. Douina becomes hysterical at this mad person, pulls out a gun, and shoots at him but misses. She then throws the gun aside crying at the situation. Svidrigailov comes to the shattering truth that she cannot stand him and decides to let her go free. He then gives the remaining of his money to Sonia and then commits suicide with Douina's gun.

Raskolnikov not knowing what has transpired to Svidrigailov is now intent to give himself up. He first goes to his mother to bid her farewell and know that he has always loved her without confessing his crime. He then goes to Sonia to ask for her crucifix to give him strength during his time in prison. She gladly offers this to him and tells her she will go to Siberia with him and wait for him. Raskolnikov then slowly approaches the police station, still conflicted various times, he finally makes his confession. At his trial he is given a minor sentence of 8 years due to mental illness. It is a harsh time for him in the Siberian prisons but he is eventually freed, reunited with Sonia, and now seeks a new life of redemption.    

The Characters

Rodion Raskolnikov: The main character of the story comes off as highly intelligent nihilist who has lost his faith and thus lost his way. He loses grasp of what is right-and-wrong overcome by wicked dark urges. He thinks that he is entitled to commit a crime of an inferior being to help his superior cause. Furthermore he pushes his friends and family away and prefers to isolate himself with this growing dark madness. It is in a chance moment of charity that he rediscovers his goodness and finds hope and love in Sonia, who is also troubled. There can be no justification for his act, but to follow his inner madness throughout this book almost makes it a fair trade-off. A murderer must not only deal with the consequence of law, but also with their own guilty conscious that can never go away.

Sonya Marmeladova: She is the eldest daughter of Marmeladov, a drunken statesman that Raskolnikov meets at a tavern. Their family is quite poor and Sonya must work as a prostitute to help provide. She is very timid, a devout Christian, and very ashamed of her life. She begins to care for Raskolnikov when he helps her father at his final hour and gives them money to help survive. He also begins to care for her, as the one good thing happening during his madness. He confesses to her and she helps him realize that he must face the punishment. She also helps him find faith once again and gives him hope throughout his time in prison. 

Dounia Raskolnikova: She is the sister of Rodion, also very intelligent and charming but without a husband and thus quite poor. She decides to marry the wealthy Luzhin as a means to help provide for her mother and brother. This decision infuriates Raskolnikov who thinks he can murder and rob from the pawnbroker to dissuade Dounia from this decision. Dounia eventually does dismiss Luzhin with the support of Rodion and finds favor with his friend Razumikhin. Her situation grows more complicated however when her former employer Svidrigailov returns with an infatuated desire to marry her. Dounia must face this challenge on her own, and nearly kills him, before he sets her free and kills himself. She eventually marries Razumikhin. 

Pulcheria Raskolnikova: She is the mother of Rodion and simply tormented all throughout the book by Rodion's ill condition. She desires to help Raskolnikov more than anything from his apparent depression but he continues to push her aside. This eventually brings her to illness and depression herself. Thankfully Raskolnikov is able to confess his grateful love to her which brings her some peace before he is sentenced to prison. She eventually dies of illness while he is away in prison. Pulcheria represents an utmost loving mother who is tormented simply by seeing her son tormented.  

Razumikhin: He is the good-hearted friend of Raskolnikov, a law student with a common sense of principles in contrast to his friends' idealist notions. He helps keep Raskolnikov grounded and brings him support during his dark hours of illness and madness. He instantly falls for his sister Dounia, and seeks to comfort and support them during their arrival to St. Petersburg. He eventually marries Dounia. 

Porifry Petrovich: He is the head detective in St. Petersburg and coincidentally comes to meet Raskolnikov thru the association of his cousin Razumikhin. Porifry himself is a very interesting character, a true intellect, who plays psychological games with his suspects hoping to draw the truth out. He even comes to admire Raskolnikov's equal intellect in their game of chess, but eventually he informs him that he will be arrested. Porifry could be seen as somewhat cruel in adding to Raskolnikov's madness, but also sympathetic in allowing him to confess rather then arresting him.

Luzhin Pyotr Petrovich: He is the wealthy suitor and fiancé of Dounia but a man of selfish means. He seeks to own and posses Dounia as a way to be more respected in his career. He quickly comes to dislike Raskolnikov after he insults him and requests that he not be present at his dinner with Dounia and their mother. However Dounia decides to choose her brother over Luzhin, which thus ends their engagement. In one final act of revenge Luzhin attempts to frame Raskolnikov's lover Sonia, in an attempt to divide the two families, but this act fails and Luzhin leaves with disgrace.

Svidrigailov: He is the mysterious employer of Dounia from her past life and follows her to St. Petersburg to declare his love for her. It is later insinuated that he killed his wife in order to be free of her and to be with Dounia. He approaches Raskolnikov with this desire but he rejects it and tells him to stay away from his family. Svidrigailov however later hears Raskolnikov confess to his murder, and uses this as blackmail against Dounia. He tells her she must either be with him or he will turn Raskolnikov over to the police. However in a heated dispute Dounia shoots a gun at him, and he realizes that she cannot love him. In a final act of charity he hands over the rest of his money to the orphaned children of Katerina Ivanova and then commits suicide. 

The Analysis

As I mentioned before this was unlike any book I have ever read before, a true psychological thriller. It really took the reader from one crazy scenario to another, and its no wonder Raskolnikov fainted several times throughout the story, simply overwhelmed by his situation. I think Dostoevsky creates such an original story here, by not only taking us into the mind of a guilt-stricken character, but also putting this character in the midst of very dramatic circumstances. Raskolnikov must deal with his own personal struggles while also helping sort out the struggles of his mother, sister, and Sonia's issues. It's no wonder several times he just leaves everyone so he can be alone with these burdensome thoughts. 

I also think there are some hidden themes to this book, especially on the topic of nihilism vs faith. Nihilism was a movement that gained popularity in Russia throughout the mid 1800s as an ideal that rejected faith in God and believed in a life without meaning or purpose. Some would consider this a rational pursuit of science and reason. I think Raskolnikov is an example of someone who embraces a nihilistic pursuit of knowledge however in doing-so loses his ethical balance and thus loses himself. I've known many atheists throughout my life, and I often find them to be quite misguided and unstable. Perhaps Raskolnikov loss sight of the greater good in life which gave way to his dark urges. I think Dostoevsky brings forth the character of Sonia as the spiritual salvation of Raskolnikov's lost nihilistic soul. At the end of the book, he asks for her crucifix to help him begin his spiritual awakening. 

I can see why the book content could be considered scandalous material, maybe even frowned upon. It deals with the dark and haunting insanity of a murderer and those closest to him. For the majority of the book, the main character is burdened with this murder he committed and everything within him and around him has become total chaotic madness. In a way it's no different than a dystopian war stricken setting since it is portrayed from the main character's hopeless perspective. I could even see some people thinking perhaps he got off pretty easy in the end, with only 8 years for a murder in cold blood. But ultimately I don't think it's so much about the sentencing that matters. For me the real takeaway from this brilliant book is that the mental punishment for a crime can often be more severe then the legal punishment.