APIB English Literature and Composition

Major Works Data Sheet

Title: Crime and Punishment

Author: Fydor Dostoevsky

Date of Publication: 1866 Genre: Novel - Thriller

Historical information about the period of publication: Characteristics of the genre:

Historical information about the period of In Crime and Punishment Dostoevsky uses tension publication is not significant because and psychology to heighten the suspense of the Dostoevsky does not really focus on outside novel. The Cat-and-Mouse game between forces and how they relate to the novel. Raskolnikov and Porfiry makes readers anxious, Although Crime and Punishment does mention and excited to see what will happen next. nihilism, a popular belief during this time period, this way of thinking can be relevant at any point in history.

Plot summary:

Raskolnikov is a handsome, intelligent, former student living in St. Petersburg, Russia. He obsesses over the idea of becoming a “superman”, and kills a pawn broker and her half sister because of this fascination. After killing the two women, Raskolnikov falls ill and into a dream like stupor. He struggles to rationalize his decision and convince himself that the murder he committed is justified. While facing this internal struggle, Raskolnikov distances himself from his friends and family which causes them to become worried. During this time, Rasklonikov meets a drunkard, Marmeladov, and takes care of his family after his death. While taking care of the Marmeladov family, Raskolnikov meets Sonya, whom he slowly falls in love with. Eventually Raskolnikov is caught by a detective, Porfiry Petrovich and confesses to his crimes. After his confession Raskolnikov is sent to Siberia, Russia to be imprisioned for his crimes. While in Siberia Raskolnikov embraces his suffering and is expected to live a happy life.

Major Works Data Sheet Page 2

Describe the author’s style, incl narrator/point of view, Examples that demonstrate the style (you need metaphors/similes: more than one example):

Crime and Punishment is written in third-person ―He, like everyone, had heard that there were, omniscient. In this style of writing, the narrator is aware of especially in Petersburg, progressives of some the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters. Most of sort, nihilists and so on, and, like many people, he the novel is given from Raskolnikov’s perspective; exaggerated and distorted the significance of however, the point of view switches to other characters those words to an absurd degree.” such as Svidrigailov and Razumikhin. -Part V, Chapter 1

Memorable Quotes Quote Significance

1. This quote,illustrates Raskolnikov’s sudden realization that by murdering Alyona and 1. ―What was taking place in him was totally unfamiliar, Lizaveta, he has completely isolated himself from society. His separation, which began before the new, sudden, never before experienced. Not that he understood it, murders, is now complete, as he has truly crossed over the bounds that formerly kept him tied to the rest but he sensed clearly, with all the power of sensation, that it was no of humanity. Indeed, one can argue that only because of his increasing alienation and lack of empathy for longer possible for him to address these people in the police station, other people is Raskolnikov able to actually commit the murders. Additionally, the act of having not only with heartfelt effusions, as he had just done, but in any way physically accomplished the crime makes it necessary for Raskolnikov to cement his understanding of at all, and had they been his own brothers and sisters, and not police himself as a “superman” so that he can evade the bothersome, banal consequences of his actions. Much of lieutenants, there would still have been no point in this addressing the novel is concerned with Raskolnikov’s gradual breakdown and deconstruction of this identity in the them, in whatever circumstances of life.‖-Part II, Chapter I face of his alienation from others. Only when he confesses his guilt to Sonya, someone whom he sees as a fellow transgressor of morality, does he start on the path of rejoining society.

2. ―I’ve known Rodion for a year and a half: sullen, gloomy, arrogant, proud; recently (and maybe much earlier) insecure and 2. Razumikhin offers this description of Raskolnikov o Sonya and Pulcheria Alexandrovna. His hypochondriac. Magnanimous and kind. Doesn’t like voicing his comments emphasize Raskolnikov’s key character traits of self-centeredness, intelligence, and feelings, and would rather do something cruel than speak his heart simultaneous cruelty and kindness. As a whole, this impressionistic depiction captures Raskolnikov’s out in words. At times, however, he’s not hypochondriac at all, but essential schismatic nature: he has detached himself from humanity and thus only engages in social just inhumanly cold and callous, as if there really were two opposite behavior when it fits his needs.Additionally, this passage sets up Razumikhin as Raskolnikov’s foil, characters in him, changing places with each other. At times he’s emphasizing the contrast between Razumikhin’s friendliness and good nature and Raskolnikov’s terribly taciturn! He’s always in a hurry, always too busy, yet he lies sullenness and antisocial nature. This difference constitutes strong counterevidence to the argument that there doing nothing. Not given to mockery, and not because he lacks Raskolnikov is compelled to commit the murders because of difficult circumstances in life. Razumikhin, sharpness but as if he had no time for such trifles. Never hears like his friend, is a desperately poor ex-student, but he never even considers, much less commits, such a people out to the end. Is never interested in what interests everyone crime. else at a given moment. Sets a terribly high value on himself and, it seems, not without a certain justification.‖ – Part III, Chapter II

3. ―The old woman was a mistake perhaps, but she’s not the 3. Raskolnikov feels anxious not because he is a murderer but because he is an unsuccessful murderer, unable to use the crime to his advantage and dismiss the guilt from his mind. His need to point! The old woman was merely a sickness . . . I was in a hurry to assure himself of the intellectualized motivations for Alyona Ivanovna’s murder and his frantic, step over . . . it wasn’t a human being I killed, it was a principle! So I killed the principle, but I didn’t step over, I stayed on this side . . . All repetitive justification of his crime reveal his insecurity about the whole matter and accentuate how unlike his “superman” ideal he is. I managed to do was kill. And I didn’t even manage that, as it turns out . . .‖ –Part III, Chapter VI

“ 4. What is it, to run away! A mere formality; that’s not the 4. Porfiry Petrovich speaks these words when Raskolnikov goes to Porfiry’s office in order to main thing; no, he won’t run away on me by a law of nature, even if reclaim his pawned possessions. This quotation demonstrates Porfiry’s method of focusing on the he has somewhere to run to. Have you ever seen a moth near a psychological aspects of the case, a method that seems to have been Dostoevsky’s as well. Porfiry’s candle? Well, so he’ll keep circling around me, circling around me, confidence that Raskolnikov “won’t run away on me by a law of nature”—that because he is human, as around a candle; freedom will no longer be dear to him, he’ll fall Raskolnikov ultimately will not be able to evade his guilt—provides a sense of inevitability that to thinking, get entangled, he’ll tangle himself all up as in a net, he’ll Raskolnikov will either confess or go mad. worry himself to death! . . . he’ll keep on making circles around me, narrowing the radius more and more, and—whop! He’ll fly right into my mouth, and I’ll swallow him, sir, and that will be most agreeable, heh, heh, heh!‖ – Part IV, Chapter V

5. “How it happened he himself did not know, but suddenly 5. This occurs when Sonya finally realizes that Raskolnikov truly loves her. Raskolnikov demonstrates it was as if something lifted him and flung him down at her feet. He that he is willing to take his place as a member of society once again. The tears that Raskolnikov sheds wept and embraced her knees. For the first moment she was terribly represent his remorse over his sins and, perhaps, his joy in realizing that Sonya, the lone individual with frightened, and her whole face went numb… in that same moment, whom he has enjoyed a meaningful relationship, loves him. It is only when he realizes that he truly cares she understood everything. Infinite happiness lit up in her eyes; she for another person that Raskolnikov is finally able to break his alienation from humanity and begin to understood, and for her there was no longer any doubt that he loved sincerely repent for his crimes. This newfound love injects his life with fresh meaning and, one can argue, her, loved her infinitely, and that at last the moment had come. . . .‖- releases him from the bond of his destructive nihilism. -Epilogue

Major Works Data Sheet Page 3 Characters Name Role in the story Significance Adjectives -Raskolnikov: Troubled, moody, Rodion Protagonist Story is about his inner struggle to sickly, alienated, become a “superman”, Kills two handsome people

Pulcheria Mother Raskolnikov is afraid to disappoint Worried, poor her

Dunya Sister Reminds Raskolnikov of how things Self-sacrificing, smart, were before he committed the proud -Marmeladov: murder. Semyon Father, drunkard and former Military Spends all of the family’s money, has Irresponsible, drunk Officer a conversation with Raskolnikov in a tavern

Wife of Marmeladov Katerina Ivanova Believes to be of a higher social Extreme, mocking, status than she actually is, snobbish, ill Raskolnikov shows compassion towards her family Raskolnikov’s love Sonya interest; Prostitute, Teaches Raskolnikov Timid, shy, nervous, Marmeladov’s about Christianity, Convinces religious daughter Raskolnikov to confess

Polya Children of Katerina

and Marmeladov No significance

Kolka

Lenya

-Svidrigailov: Dunya’s former

employer, in love with He convinces himself that Dunya Scoundrel, evil Ivanovich Dunya , antagonist loves him, which leads to rumors spreading about her and tension between the two of them

Svidrigailov’s wive Marfa Petranova Spread rumors about Dunya, Kind possibly murdered by Svidrigailov

Raskolnikov’s friend Takes care of Raskolnikov and his Friendly, sociable, -Razumikin family, falls in love with Dunya humble

Detective -Porfiry Petrovich Raskolnikov’s primary antagonist Sly, cunning

Related to Marfa Petranova, Dunya’s Wants to marry Dunya because she Arrogant, vain -Pytor Petrovich Luzhin fiancée is poor and humble, tries to frame Raskolnikov and shame Sonya

-Ivanova Pawnbroker Robbed and murdered by Mean, hateful, rich, Alyona Raskolnikov “old crone”, miser

Aloyna’s sister, Lizaveta Sonya’s friend Killed by Raskolnikov (unplanned) Dumb, honest

Luzhin’s roommate - Andrei Semyonovich Studied new philosophies Self-centered Lebezyatnikov Raskolnikov’s doctor -Zossimov Suspects that Raskolnikov is mad Young, smart

Servant -Nastasya Petrovna Aids Raskolnikov when he is “ill” Kind, critical, nosey

Police Official -Ilya Petrovich Raskolnikov confesses murder to him Hot-tempered “Gunpowder”

Junior Police Official Suspects Raskolnikov of the murders -Zamytov after a conversation in a tavern

Painter Confesses to killing Alyona and -Nikolai “Mikolka” Lizaveta

Major Works Data Sheet Page 4

Setting Significance of the opening scene

Crime and Punishment takes place in St. The opening scene in Crime and Punishment Petersburg and Siberia, Russia in the mid 1860s. describes the setting of the novel, and reveals During this time St. Petersburg was the capitol that it is a hot summer day in July. The of Russia and a vital economic center. Also, the summer heat in this novel is supposed to make Majority of the novel takes place during the hot, the tone of Crime and Punishment uneasy, as sticky months of summer. Raskolnikov sees St. if as if everything is on the verge of an Petersburg as a poverty stricken place filled with explosion. The opening scene describes vagrants, drunkards, and usurpers where he is Raskolnikov’s inner turmoil and frequent unable to be alone and find peace of mind. In illness. It is also during this scene that contrast, when Raskolnikov is exiled to Siberia, Raskolnikov is scouting out the “old crone” the second setting of the novel, he sees the new before he decides to plan his murder. setting as pure, natural and peaceful. Significance of the ending/closing scene

Crime and Punishment ends in Siberia where Raskolnikov is imprisoned for seven years because of the two murders he committed. During this time when Raskolnikov is exiled in Siberia, Dostoevsky vaguely hints to Raskolnikov’acceptance of Symbols Christianity; however, there is no proof that this America occurs. Also during this time period Raskolnikov Nature vs. The City does not seem to repent his crimes; yet Raskolnikov has a chance to be resurrected and have a new life The Cross/Lazarus with Sonya because of his suffering in exile. Illness

Works Cited http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/crime/quotes. html#explanation5 Crime and Punishment http://www.shmoop.com/crime-and- punishment/ Possible Themes: Use 3 text examples for support. Document correctly.

1. The idea of the Ubermensch 2. Alienation from society 3. The importance of suffering