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Crime and Punishment

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Əli Sukurov
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19 views3 pages

Crime and Punishment

Uploaded by

Əli Sukurov
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ministry of Science and Education of the

Republic of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan Cooperation University

INDIVIDUAL WORK

Student –
Profession -
Group -
Topic-
Teacher -
Subject- Crime and Punishment

Baku -2024
Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment is often regarded as one of the
most profound and influential works in world literature. Published in 1866, the
novel explores the psychological turmoil and moral dilemmas faced by its
protagonist, Rodion Raskolnikov, a former student living in St. Petersburg, Russia.
As one of Dostoevsky’s most enduring works, Crime and Punishment delves into
the themes of crime, punishment, guilt, redemption, and the human condition.
At the heart of Crime and Punishment is the story of Rodion Raskolnikov, a
young man who is poverty-stricken, intellectually isolated, and deeply
disillusioned by the social injustices around him. Struggling to find meaning and
purpose in his life, Raskolnikov devises a theory based on his belief in the
"extraordinary man," an individual above moral laws, capable of committing acts
that transcend the ethical constraints binding ordinary people. He convinces
himself that, like Napoleon, he is justified in committing a murder for a higher
purpose. Raskolnikov’s victim is Alyona Ivanovna, a cruel and avaricious
pawnbroker whom he plans to rob and kill in order to alleviate his financial
difficulties. He views her as a parasite on society, a "louse" that can be disposed of
for the greater good. However, when the moment of the murder comes,
Raskolnikov's plan unravels. In a moment of panic, he is forced to kill her half-
sister, Lizaveta, who unexpectedly enters the scene.
Raskolnikov's crime leads to a profound internal struggle, as he grapples
with guilt, paranoia, and an overwhelming sense of alienation. The novel follows
his psychological and moral journey, detailing his interactions with various
characters who represent different facets of society, morality, and human nature.
These interactions serve as the vehicle for Dostoevsky's exploration of themes such
as suffering, salvation, and the nature of good and evil.
The most obvious theme in Crime and Punishment is that of crime and
punishment itself. Raskolnikov’s belief in his own superiority leads him to
rationalize his crime, but his punishment is not solely legal—it is a psychological
and spiritual one. Dostoevsky emphasizes that the true punishment for a crime lies
not in the external consequences, but in the internal turmoil and moral reckoning
that follows. Raskolnikov is consumed by guilt and self-loathing, and his mind
becomes a battleground between his justifications for the murder and the growing
realization of its immorality. The novel also explores the idea that punishment is
not a form of retribution but a means of redemption. Through his suffering,
Raskolnikov is forced to confront his beliefs and ultimately achieves a form of
spiritual rebirth. His crime, therefore, becomes a catalyst for his eventual moral
and emotional awakening. The novel suggests that true redemption comes through
accepting one's responsibility and suffering for one's sins, rather than escaping the
consequences of wrongdoing.
One of Dostoevsky’s key concerns in Crime and Punishment is the question
of morality. The novel challenges the notion of objective moral truths and
examines the psychological implications of moral relativism. Raskolnikov’s theory
of the "extraordinary man"—who can commit immoral acts for the greater good—
reflects the dangerous allure of utilitarianism and the idea that some lives are worth
more than others. His belief that he is justified in murdering Alyona Ivanovna
collapses when he realizes that no human being has the right to define what is
moral and what is not.
Throughout the novel, Dostoevsky presents a range of characters who
embody different approaches to morality. Raskolnikov’s mother, Pulcheria
Alexandrovna, is a deeply moral and loving figure, while his friend, Dmitri
Razumihin, represents common decency and compassion. The contrast between
these characters and Raskolnikov’s cynical, intellectualized view of the world
highlights the complexity of human nature and the struggle between good and evil
within the individual.
Dostoevsky also addresses the concept of human suffering in Crime and
Punishment, emphasizing that suffering is an intrinsic part of the human condition.
Raskolnikov’s guilt and inner turmoil mirror the larger social and economic
suffering experienced by the characters in the novel. In his quest for redemption,
Raskolnikov learns that suffering can lead to spiritual enlightenment, a theme that
would become central to Dostoevsky’s later works.

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