Crime and Punishment Book Analysis

The novel that I have chosen to study and decipher is “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky in 1866. The novel associates itself with real-life physiological problems by presenting Raskolnikov, the main character, as a man who alienates himself from society. Compared to Raskolnikov, there have been experiences in which I have felt superior through my intellectual advantages, such as my ability to solve complex mathematical problems or literary skills. Raskolnikov, a college dropout, lives in a poverty-filled city named St. Petersburg which suffocates his mind and aids to his maniacal ideologies. His belief in superiority is illustrated throughout the book and causes his guilt-inducing downfall. At the end of the novel, his love for Sonya is the main influence on his ability to change his comprehension of human understanding. The main thematic structure of “Crime and Punishment” explores the suffering that people endure through their alienation from society. The author portrays numerous symbols and character plots to contribute to the main theme of the story. The belief that a man or woman is superior is not a sustainable way of thinking but initiates the downfall of that specific human being.

 In the novel, “Crime and Punishment”, the story displays the effects of Raskolnikov’s mental torment and his alienation from society. As the journalist, Paris Whitney illustrates, “Crime and Punishment, a novel that explores the psychological depths of man. At the center is Raskolnikov, a character who inflicts and experiences a great deal of suffering, all because he perceives himself to be superior to the average'' (theclassicjournal.uga.edu). The statement that Paris Whitney illustrates is recognized in the novel when Raskolnikov indicated that the motive for his murder was to confirm his theory of being intellectually superior and beyond the rules that limit humans. Throughout the four years that I have studied in high school, I have observed that superiority is the main staple throughout education. This belief of superiority presented me with a great deal of suffering through the decisions that I made. I had created an argument with a friend, because of my assumption of having a superior intellect. That moment provided me with the understanding that alienating oneself from others cannot construct connections with others. When Fyodor Dostoevsky was writing his classic literature, he instituted three symbols, St. Petersburg, the cross given to Raskolnikov, and the color red, into the novel to elucidate the deeper topic. 

In “Crime and Punishment”, the most substantial symbol used by the author is the City of St. Petersburg. Throughout the novel, St. Petersburg is presented as a chaotic and horrendous place that aids the mental state of Raskolnikov. As the article states, “This chaos is symbolic of the mental state of the main character, Raskolnikov. As he is transitioning from a delirious state to one of confession and redemption, one can only hope the city itself will undergo a similar transformation” (papermaster.com). In the introduction of the story, he is depicted as a man with a chaotic state of mind in which he alienates himself from the rest of humanity. The city provides a similar comparison to the embodiment of Raskolnikov’s dysfunctionality. Fyodor Dostoevsky portrays the perception of the city, as a city filled with tiny apartments and crowded regions, to identify to the reader the similar characteristics between St. Petersburg and Raskolnikov. After the novel, he confesses to his crimes and is moved to Siberia. After leaving the city, he removes himself from these ideologies. The author indicates through symbolism that changing such a state of mind can improve a man or woman's body and soul. This classic piece of literature is impactful because it demonstrates the significance of equality and the acceptance of all human rights. I have experienced the means of feeling superior through my educational mastery, but it doesn’t portray happiness or peace.