Crime and Punishment

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

2554

Title

Crime and Punishment

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in 1860s St. Petersburg, this psychological thriller follows Rodion Raskolnikov, a destitute ex-student who murders a pawnbroker to test his theory of the "extraordinary" man. Haunted by guilt and fever, he navigates a web of deception, poverty, and moral crisis, ultimately seeking redemption through love and faith.

Summary up to 500 words

In Fyodor Dostoyevsky's *Crime and Punishment*, the narrative centers on Rodion Raskolnikov, a destitute former student in St. Petersburg who formulates a radical theory: extraordinary individuals stand above moral law and may sacrifice others for a greater purpose. Driven by poverty and intellectual arrogance, he murders an elderly pawnbroker and her innocent sister, Lizaveta, intending to steal money and prove his superiority. The story immediately plunges into Raskolnikov's psychological disintegration. Despite his calculated plan, he is plagued by violent shivering, hallucinations, and an inability to hide the evidence. He struggles with the immediate consequences of the crime, including the discovery of the bodies and the social fallout. The narrative explores his isolation from society, his complex relationship with the compassionate prostitute Sonya Marmeladova, and his eventual confrontation with the astute investigator Porfiry Petrovitch, who suspects him without direct proof. As the plot unfolds, Raskolnikov's rationalization crumbles under the weight of his actions. He witnesses the suffering of the victims' families and realizes the hollowness of his philosophy. The novel delves deeply into themes of good versus evil, the nature of genius, the limits of reason, and the redemptive power of suffering and love. Through a feverish internal monologue and a shifting perspective that reveals the thoughts of various characters, the text charts Raskolnikov's journey from arrogant nihilism to a painful but necessary spiritual awakening. The story concludes with the promise of his regeneration, suggesting that true greatness lies not in transcending morality, but in accepting human connection and divine grace. After his arrest and imprisonment, Raskolnikov undergoes a profound transformation. Initially isolated and despised by fellow prisoners who view him as an infidel, he finds solace in Sonya's unwavering love and faith. During his illness, he dreams of a global plague of madness, reflecting his own internal chaos. Ultimately, he renounces his theory of the 'extraordinary man,' acknowledging that his crime was born of weakness and meanness rather than genius. The novel ends with Raskolnikov and Sonya embracing a future of shared suffering and spiritual renewal, signifying his passage from a world of cold theory to one of warm, human connection.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Psychology
• Classics
• Mystery