Name: Crime and Punishment
Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky
ISBN: 9780199536368

Crime and Punishment

Fyodor Dostoevsky

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Author Description

Crime and Punishment is one of the most important novels of the nineteenth century. It is the story of a murder committed on principle, of a killer who wishes to set himself outside and above society. The novel is marked by Dostoevsky's own harrowing experience in penal servitude, and yet contains moments of wild humor. This new edition of the authoritative and readable Coulson translation comes with a challenging new introduction and notes that elucidate many of the novel's most important--and difficult--aspects.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Menrva's Summary

THE PULSE

Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished former student in Saint Petersburg, commits a calculated murder to test his theory that extraordinary individuals are exempt from moral law. Driven by a desperate need to prove his intellectual superiority, Raskolnikov isolates himself from his family and society while grappling with the psychological consequences of his crime. He faces intense scrutiny from the cunning investigator Porfiry Petrovich, who suspects his involvement despite a lack of physical evidence. The narrative utilizes a third-person limited perspective that focuses heavily on Raskolnikov's internal monologue, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere within the cramped, sweltering streets of the city. The story follows his descent into paranoia and his eventual confrontation with the possibility of redemption through suffering.

INSIDE THE PAGES

Intensive focus on the protagonist's internal psychological state and moral rationalization.
Atmospheric depiction of 19th-century Saint Petersburg as a character in its own right.
Use of philosophical dialogue to debate the nature of morality and social hierarchy.
Incorporation of dark, sardonic humor amidst heavy thematic content.
Exploration of the concept of the 'superman' or extraordinary individual.
Detailed portrayal of poverty and its impact on human behavior.
Tension-filled cat-and-mouse dynamic between the criminal and the investigator.
Themes of guilt, confession, and the potential for spiritual rebirth.

THE COLLECTIVE ECHO

Readers and critics frequently highlight the novel's intense psychological depth and its ability to sustain suspense through internal conflict rather than external action. Discussion often centers on the validity of Raskolnikov's philosophical justifications and the effectiveness of Dostoevsky's portrayal of moral decay. Many note that the pacing is deliberate, allowing for a thorough examination of the protagonist's mental deterioration and eventual transformation. The work is widely regarded for its complex character studies and its unflinching look at the human capacity for both cruelty and compassion.

Page Count:
576

Publication Date:
2008-08-01

Publisher:
Oxford University Press

ISBN-10:
0199536368

ISBN-13:
9780199536368

Crime

English & College Success

Saint petersburg russia fiction

Fiction psychological

classic

Russian

English