Synopsis of Dostoyevsky’s famous novel ‘Crime and Punishment’

By Narayan Giri

There are very few writers about whose work critics have offered so many conflicting views and interpretations at all times, as about the work of Dostoyevsky. But it is also true that there are very few writers whose works have aroused as much interest in the whole world as Dostoyevsky. In spite of all this, the almost indisputable fact is that Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881) was not only a star in the constellation of revolutionary populist, humanist and realist Russian literature of the nineteenth century, with his own unique brilliance, but rather he was placed in the realm of world literature with Shakespeare, Rabille, Dante, Counted with Goethe, Balzac and Tolstoy.

The world of human suffering, the tragedy of the downtrodden and humiliated is the basis of Dostoyevsky’s realistic work. Through his mastery of the art of psychoanalysis, Dostoyevsky shows how the repression of a man’s self-esteem destroys his soul and splits his consciousness in two. He also shows that if a person’s sense of his worthlessness persists, it gives rise to resistance.

Crime and Punishment was first published in twelve monthly installments in the literary magazine The Russian Messenger during 1866. It was later published in a single volume. This is Dostoyevsky’s second full-length novel after his return from a ten-year exile in Siberia. Crime and Punishment is considered to be the first great novel of the “mature” period of his writing. The novel is often cited as one of the highest achievements in literature.

Crime and Punishment focuses on the mental anguish and moral dilemma of Rodion Raskolnikov, a poor ex-student from St. Petersburg who plans to kill an unscrupulous usurer for his money. Before the murder, Raskolnikov believes that with money he can free himself from poverty and do great things. However, once he does, he finds himself filled with confusion, madness, and hatred for his actions. His rationality is completely destroyed as he faces crime and horror and faces the real-world consequences of his actions.

The essence of the novel

Part 1

Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov is a former law student who lives in extreme poverty in a small rented room in St. Petersburg. Aloof and antisocial, he has abandoned all attempts to support himself and is contemplating a plan to murder and rob an elderly broker in a maddened manner. On the pretense of pawning a watch, he goes to her apartment, but is unable to commit himself. Later he meets in a village Zadyaha Semyon Zakharovich Marmeladov, who has just squandered his family’s small fortune. Marmeladov tells him about his teenage daughter Sonya, who has become a prostitute to support the family. The next day, Raskolnikov receives a letter from his mother, in which his sister Dunya, who works as a teacher, has problems with her evil employer Svidrigailov. To escape her vulnerable position and hoping to help her brother, Dunya decides to marry Luzhin, a rich lover, whom she is visiting in Petersburg. According to the details in the letter, Luzhin is an arrogant opportunist who is trying to take advantage of the world’s situation. Raskolnikov is enraged at his sister’s sacrifice, realizing that Sonia forced him to do it. Painfully aware of his poverty and impotence, he returns to his thoughts. Another series of internal and external events seems to have conspired to compel him to the resolution of enactment.

Desperate and stressed, Raskolnikov steals an ax and once again goes to the old woman’s apartment. He pretends he has something to bail and then attacks and kills it with an axe. He also kills his half-sister Lizaveta, which causes him to stumble into a crime scene. Hurt by his actions, he steals only a handful of things and a small purse, but leaves the usurious broker with much of his wealth. Luckily he manages to escape the building and returns to his room.

Part 2

In a feverish, semi-demented state, Raskolnikov hides the stolen goods and falls asleep exhausted. The next morning he is very worried when he receives an item at the police station, but it is a debt notice from his landlord. When the Bureau officials start talking about the murder, Raskolnikov faints. He soon recovers, but what he can see from their faces raises suspicions. Afraid of being discovered, he hides the stolen goods in the empty courtyard of the building, in humiliation he does not even know how much money is in the purse. Unbeknownst to him, he meets his old university friend Razumikhin, who notices that Raskolnikov is gravely ill. Finally he returns to his room where he falls into the clutches of his patient and falls into a long delirium.

When he comes out several days later, he finds that Razumikhin has found him and is taking care of him. Raskolnikov, still suffering from a fever, overhears a conversation between Razumikhin and the doctor about the status of the police investigation into the murder, one Muzhik Milko, who was working in a neighboring flat at the time, has been detained and the elderly woman’s clients are being interviewed. They are interrupted by the arrival of Dunya’s groom, Luzhin, who wants to introduce himself, but Raskolnikov deliberately insults him and throws him out. He angrily tells the others to leave as well and then throws himself out. He finds news about the murder and almost seems to want to draw attention to his part. He meets police officer Zamyotov, who was present at the bureau when he fainted, and who openly mocks the young man’s vague suspicions. He returns to the scene of the crime and relives the emotions of that time. He annoys the workers and caretakers by asking informal questions about the murder, even suggesting they go to the police station to discuss it. As he ponders whether to accept or not, he sees Marmeladov, who is being fatally hit by a car. He rushes to help and manages to get the victim back to his family’s apartment. Marmeladov dies in his daughter’s arms, begging Sonya to forgive him. Raskolnikov gives his last twenty-five rubles (from the money sent by his mother) to Katerina Ivanovna, Marmeladov’s consumptive widow, saying that he has paid off his friend’s debt.

Feeling refreshed, Raskolnikov calls Razumikhin and together they return to Raskolnikov’s building. Entering his room, Raskolnikov is surprised to see his mother and sister sitting on the couch. They have just arrived in Petersburg and are excited to see him, but Raskolnikov is unable to speak and falls unconscious.

Part 3

Razumikhin approaches Raskolnikov, then manages to persuade the victim’s mother and sister to return to his apartment. Intoxicated and overwhelmed by the beauty of the world, he comes with them. When he returns the next morning, Raskolnikov is physically fine, but it is clear that he is still mentally deranged and is only forced to endure the meeting. He demands that Dunya break up with Luzhin, but Dunya fiercely defends her intentions for marriage. Mrs. Raskolnikova receives a note from Luzhin, demanding that her son not attend any future meetings between them. He also mentions that he saw his son give 25 rubles to a “unmarried woman who behaves immorally” (Sonya). Dunya decides that there should be a meeting, at which both Luzhin and his brother must attend, whereupon Raskolnikov agrees to attend with Razumikhin that evening. Raskolnikov was surprised when Sonya suddenly appeared at his door. Horrifyingly, she reveals that she left her address with him last night and that she has come to invite him to attend her father’s funeral. As she leaves, Raskolnikov asks her where she is and says he will meet her soon.

At Raskolnikov’s request, Razumikhin takes him to meet the detective Porfiry Petrovich, who is investigating the murder. Raskolnikov immediately senses that Porfiry knows he is the murderer. Porfiry, who has recently been discussing this matter with Zamyotov, adopts an ironic tone during the conversation. Raskolnikov had written an article a few months earlier entitled ‘Crime’, in which he suggested that some rare individuals—philanthropists and geniuses of mankind—should cross legal or moral boundaries. Those limitations hinder the success of their ideas. Raskolnikov defends himself skillfully, but Porphyry’s insistence on speech irritates and angers him. An appointment is made for an interview at the police bureau the next morning.

Raskolnikov returns to his apartment, leaving Razumikhin with his mother and sister. He is surprised to see an old artisan who does not know him asking about him. Raskolnikov tries to find out what he wants, but the craftsman says only one word – “murderer” and leaves. Frightened, Raskolnikov returns to his room and falls asleep. He wakes up to find another complete stranger, this time a noble-looking man. The man politely introduces himself as Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov.

Part 4

Svidrigailov engages in an amiable but disconcerting monologue, punctuated by brief interjections from Raskolnikov. He claims that he no longer has any romantic interest in Dunya, but wants to stop her from marrying Luzhin and offers him ten thousand rubles. Raskolnikov refuses to pay for his favor and refuses to facilitate the meeting. What Svidrigailov’s Svidrigailov also mentions is that his wife, who had protected Dunya during her unpleasantness, but died shortly after, left 3000 rubles in her will.

That evening begins with Luzhin talking about Svidrigailov – his corrupt character, his presence in Petersburg, the unexpected death of his wife, and the 3000 rubles left for the world. Luzhin is enraged when Dunya insists on settling the matter with his brother, and when Raskolnikov calls attention to the infamy of his letter, Luzhin becomes careless, revealing his true character. Dunya tells him to go and never come back. Now free and with significant capital, they enthusiastically begin to discuss plans for the future, but Raskolnikov suddenly leaves, telling them that this will be the last time they see me. He instructs a worried Razumikhin to stay and take care of them forever.

Raskolnikov goes to Sonya’s place. He is happy that she is coming to see him, but is also frightened by his strange behavior. He makes a series of cruel questions about his dire situation and about Katerina Ivanovna and the children. Raskolnikov begins to realize that Sonya is only sustained by her faith in God. He reveals that he is a friend of the murdered Lizaveta. In fact, Lizavetta gave him a crucifix and a copy of the Gospel. He enthusiastically reads the story of the resurrection of Lazarus from the Gospel of John. His fascination with it starts from the moment his father talks about him, which grows and he decides that they must face the future together. After he left, he told her that he would return tomorrow and tell her who killed her friend Lizaveta.

When Raskolnikov presents himself for his interview, Porfiry resumes and intensifies his hateful, provocative, sarcastic chatter without ever making a direct accusation. When Raskolnikov’s anger reaches its peak, Porfiry hints that there is “a little surprise” for him behind the partition in his office, but at that moment there is a commotion outside the door and a young man (the painter Mikolka) enters. Some policemen follow him. To the surprise of both Profiri and Raskolnikov, Mikolka proceeds to loudly confess to the murders. Profiri does not believe the confession, but he is forced to let Raskolnikov go. On returning to his room, Raskolnikov was startled when the old craftsman suddenly appeared at his door. But the man bows and apologizes – he was Porfiry’s “little surprise” and he heard Mikolka confess. When Raskolnikov returned to the scene of the murder, he was one of those present and reported his behavior to Porfiry.

Part 5

Raskolnikov attends the banquet after the Marmeladovs’ funeral at Katerina Ivanovna’s apartment. The atmosphere deteriorates as the guests get drunk and the half-mad Katerina Ivanovna verbally attacks her German landlady. As the chaos subsides, everyone is surprised by Luzhin’s sudden and terrifying appearance. What he sternly announced was that a 100-ruble note had gone missing from the apartment when Sonya came to visit him while inviting him to make a small donation. Sonya, out of fear, denies that she stole the money, but Luzhin insists on his accusations and demands an investigation. Enraged, Katerina Ivanovna abuses Luzhin and prepares to empty Sonya’s pocket to prove her innocence, but a 100-ruble note actually falls out of the pocket. The mood in the room turns against Sonya, Luzhin chases her, and the landlord throws the family out. But enraged by Luzhin’s roommate Lebezyatnikov, Luzhin claims to have seen Sonya secretly putting the money in his pocket, though he thought at the time that it was a great act of unknown charity. Raskolnikov understands Luzhin’s intentions and supports Lebeziatnikov. He wanted to take revenge on Raskolnikov by defaming Sonya with the intention of creating a rift in his family. Luzhin is furious, but Sonya is shocked and runs out of the apartment. Raskolnikov follows him.

Back in his room, Raskolnikov draws Sonya’s attention to the ease with which Luzhin can ruin the children along with him. But this is only a prelude to his confession that he is the killer of the old woman and Lizaveta. Painfully, he tries to explain to Sonya his inner motive for the crime. He is afraid not only of crime but of his own atrocities and says he should go to the police himself. Lebezyatnikov appears and tells them that the landlady has kicked Katerina Ivanovna out of the apartment and that she has gone mad. They found Katerina Ivanovna surrounded by people in the street, completely insane, trying to force terrified children to perform for money, and near death from her illness. They manage to get him back to Sonya’s room, where, distraught and enraged, he dies. To Raskolnikov’s surprise, Svidrigailov suddenly appears and informs him that he will donate ten thousand rubles to arrange a funeral for Dunya and place the children in a good orphanage. When Raskolnikov asks him what his motives are, he then laughs and answers with a direct quote from Raskolnikov’s own words, as he tries to explain to Sonya the justification for the murder. Svidrigailov sits next to Sonya and listens to every word of the murder confession.

Part 6

Razumikhin tells Raskolnikov that Dunya is depressed and distant after receiving a letter from someone. He also mentions to Raskolnikov’s surprise that Porfiry no longer suspects him of the murder. Just as Raskolnikov is about to go in search of Svidrigailov, Porphyry himself appears and politely requests a brief conversation. He sincerely apologizes for his past behavior and tries to explain the reasons behind it. Unsurprisingly, Raskolnikov begins to worry at the thought that Porfiry might think he is innocent. But Porphyry’s changed attitude is motivated by genuine respect for Raskolnikov, not by any thought of his innocence, and he concludes by expressing absolute certainty that Raskolnikov is indeed the murderer. He claims that it will arrest him soon but asks him to accept to make it easy for himself. Raskolnikov chooses to continue the struggle.

Raskolnikov finds Svidrigailov in a village and warns him not to come near Dunya. Svidrigailov has actually arranged to meet Dunya so threatens to go to the police but Raskolnikov is unconvinced and chases after her. When Raskolnikov finally returns home, Dunya, who has been watching them, approaches Svidrigailov and demands to know what he meant in his letter about his brother’s “secret”. He reluctantly goes to her room, where he reveals what he has heard and tries to use it to create his wish. Although Dunya has a gun and shoots him, he narrowly escapes. Svidrigailov gently encourages him to reload and try again. Finally she throws the gun aside, but Svidrigailov, overcome with disgust, tells her to leave. Later that evening he meets with Sonya to discuss arrangements for Katerina Ivanovna’s children. He gives her 3000 rubles, telling her that she needs it if she wants to follow Raskolnikov to Siberia. He spends the night in a miserable hotel and commits suicide in a public place the next morning.

Raskolnikov says a painful goodbye to his mother without telling her the truth. Dunya is waiting for him in her room. He then tells her that he will go to the police to confess the murders. He stops at Sonya’s place on the way. At the bureau, he learns about Svidrigailov’s suicide and almost changes his mind after leaving the building. But he sees Sonia, who follows him, looks at him in despair, and he returns to make a full and frank confession to the murder.

Epilogue

Because of the completeness of his confession after another man had already confessed, Raskolnikov was sentenced to only eight years. Dunya and Razumikhin marry and plan to go to Siberia, but Raskolnikov’s mother falls ill and dies. Sonya pursues Raskolnikov to Siberia, but he is initially hostile towards her because he is still struggling to accept moral guilt for his crimes, feeling guilty only of weakness. After some time in prison, his redemption and moral upliftment begins only under Sonya’s loving influence.