Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, the protagonist of the novel is an ex-student living in Saint Petersburg who plans to murder and steal an old woman. The anti-hero is unscrupulous and lives in dire poverty refusing the help of those who offer it. He is sure no one will miss this old lady and intends to use the stolen money for a good purpose. What he doesn’t expect is the moral dilemma that occurs after his crime, the pain of guilt, and the inner sickness.
The novel offers a deep psychological insight into the emotional and mental consequences of murder. It is a psychological thriller that makes you stop and think about the nature of crime and criminals. As the novel progresses, Raskolnikov must face his own guilt, disappointment, and transformation.
If a murder is plotted and committed and benefits the society, is it just? Is it wrong to do bad things for the common good? What constitutes a fair punishment for such a crime?
Crime And Punishment is a classic Russian classic that delves deep into the human psyche. It was first published in the The Russian Messenger in 12 monthly installments during 1866. The book explores many themes such as evil for the greater good, expiation, and retribution.
Crime and Punishment was the literary sensation of 1866. The book has been hailed as a classic and must-read for its incredible examination of a man who commits murder and how he is “punished” for it. There have been more than 25 movie and serial adaptations of the novel with Crime and Punishment (1935, starring Peter Lorre, Edward Arnold, and Marian Marsh), Raskolnikow (aka Crime and Punishment) (1923, directed by Robert Wiene), and Crime and Punishment (2002, starring Crispin Glover and Vanessa Redgrave) being the popular ones.
