Crime and Punishment Study Guide
A comprehensive analysis of Dostoevsky's psychological masterpiece
Key Themes
Guilt and Redemption
The psychological torment of Raskolnikov after committing murder, and his journey toward spiritual redemption through suffering and love.
Moral Philosophy
The novel explores the concept of the "extraordinary man" and questions whether moral laws apply equally to all people.
Poverty and Social Injustice
Dostoevsky examines the effects of extreme poverty on human behavior and morality in 19th-century St. Petersburg.
Faith and Doubt
The tension between religious faith and rational skepticism, embodied in the relationship between Raskolnikov and Sonia.
Main Characters
Rodion Raskolnikov
The protagonist, a former law student living in poverty who commits murder and struggles with guilt and philosophical justification.
Sonia Marmeladova
A devout Christian who becomes a prostitute to support her family, representing redemption and spiritual love.
Porfiry Petrovich
The investigating magistrate who psychologically pursues Raskolnikov, representing the law and moral order.
Arkady Svidrigailov
A morally corrupt character who serves as a dark mirror to Raskolnikov's potential future.
Historical Context
Written in 1866, Crime and Punishment reflects the social upheaval of 19th-century Russia. The abolition of serfdom in 1861 had created massive social changes, with former serfs flooding into cities like St. Petersburg.
Dostoevsky himself had experienced poverty, imprisonment in Siberia, and gambling addiction, which deeply influenced his portrayal of human suffering and redemption in the novel.