Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky tells the story of a poor, paranoid student named Raskolnikov who, believing himself to be extraordinary, commits a murder to prove his superiority and descends into a spiral of guilt and paranoia, grappling with the psychological repercussions of his actions. Sensitive topics include murder and mental illness.

Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment is lauded for its deep psychological insight and complex character development, particularly Raskolnikov’s moral dilemmas. Critics appreciate its exploration of guilt and redemption, though some find the narrative dense and the pacing slow. Overall, it remains a profound and thought-provoking masterpiece in Russian literature.

Readers who enjoy complex psychological drama, moral dilemmas, and in-depth character studies will appreciate Crime and Punishment. Fans of classic literature like Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and Kafka's The Trial will find Dostoevsky's exploration of guilt and redemption compelling.

Dark / Mysterious / Contemplative / Melancholic / Unnerving

**Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikov**  
Raskolnikov is the protagonist of *Crime and Punishment*, an intelligent but alienated young man torn by his split personalities. One side is kind and caring, while the other is cold and calculating, leading him to commit a murder.

**Sonia Marmeladova**  
Sonia, daughter of Marmeladov, becomes a prostitute to support her family. She embodies moral strength and faith, serving as Raskolnikov's moral compass.

**Porfiry Petrovitch**  
Porfiry is the local magistrate investigating Raskolnikov's crime. He is rational and authority-driven, seeking to lead Raskolnikov to confession and redemption.

**Dunia Raskolnikova**  
Dunia is Raskolnikov’s intelligent and moral sister. Motivated by a desire to help her family, she navigates complex relationships and finds love with Razumikhin.

**Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov**  
Svidrigailov is a wealthy, immoral womanizer with a debauched lifestyle, serving as a warning to Raskolnikov about the dangers of his theories.

**Razumikhin**  
Razumikhin is Raskolnikov’s hardworking and optimistic friend. Unlike Raskolnikov, he remains sociable and supportive, eventually finding love with Dunia.

- Crime and Punishment was initially published in 1866 as a twelve-part serial in The Russian Messenger, a popular literary magazine of the time.
- Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote Crime and Punishment after returning from Siberian exile, where he faced a mock execution and spent four years in a labor camp, experiences that heavily influenced his exploration of themes in the novel.
- The novel was partly inspired by the real-life case of Pierre François Lacenaire, a notorious French criminal and poet whom Dostoevsky studied during his time in Paris.

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

Explore Crime and Punishment reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Crime and Punishment | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Crime and Punishment and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Crime and Punishment Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1 Crime and Punishment Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2 Crime and Punishment Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3 Crime and Punishment Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4 Crime and Punishment Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5 Crime and Punishment Part 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6 Crime and Punishment Part 6 Summary & Analysis

Epilogue

Crime and Punishment Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Crime and Punishment Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Crime and Punishment Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Crime and Punishment Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Crime and Punishment Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Crime and Punishment Essay Topics

Introduction

Crime and Punishment Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Crime and Punishment Before Reading

During Reading

Crime and Punishment During Reading

After Reading

Crime and Punishment After Reading

Crime and Punishment

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Crime and Punishment?

Reading Age

Book Details