Crime and Punishment

Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart.

– Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment, written by Fyodor Dostoevsky, tells the story of Rodion Raskolnikov, a poor former student in St. Petersburg, who struggles with the moral implications of committing a murder. Motivated by his nihilistic beliefs and desperate circumstances, Raskolnikov sets out to test his theory of the “extraordinary man” by killing a pawnbroker. As he deals with the psychological torment of his crime, Raskolnikov becomes entangled in a web of guilt, paranoia, and existential anguish, haunted by his own conscience and the relentless pursuit of justice. Set in 19th-century Russia, Dostoevsky explores themes of morality, redemption, and the human capacity for both good and evil, creating a compelling narrative that delves into the depths of the human psyche. Through Raskolnikovs internal struggle and eventual redemption, Crime and Punishment offers profound insights into the complexities of human nature and the consequences of moral transgression.