F.M. Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment": a brief retelling

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Many of us probably read F. M. Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment". The history of the creation of this work is interesting. It is known that the author was inspired to write it by the case of the French intellectual murderer Pierre Francois Laciere, who blamed society for all his misadventures. Here is a summary of the novel. So, F. M. Dostoevsky, "Crime and Punishment".

What prompted Rodion to kill

The scene is one of the poorest districts of St. Petersburg, the time is the 60s of the XIX century. Rodion Raskolnikov, now a former student, takes his last valuable thing to the old pawnbroker in order to pawn it. He lives in a closet in the attic. He has no money. Reflecting on the fact that such disgusting people as interest-bearers who profit from the plight of other people should not live, he decides to kill the old woman. Hisa meeting in a tavern with a drunken official Marmeladov, who tells a former student that his wife Katerina Ivanovna, due to poverty, pushed his daughter Sonya to the panel, strengthens Rodion in this decision. In addition to everything, the next morning our hero receives a letter from which he learns about the arrival of his mother and sister Dunya, who is to marry Luzhin, a small but prosperous man. Rodion's mother hopes that the future son-in-law's funds will help her son continue his studies at the university. Reflecting on the victims of Sonya and Dunya, Raskolnikov convinces himself that the murder of the old pawnbroker will be good for society. Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment" begins with an acquaintance with the main character and the motives for his future crime. The heroes of the work are not divided into positive and negative. All of them have human weakness and a willingness to commit sin due to any circumstances.

Murder

In the soul of our hero, two opposite feelings are fighting. One says that the death of the pawnbroker is a foregone conclusion, and the other opposes violence. On the night before the murder, Rodion has a childhood dream. In it, the boy's heart shrinks from pity for the skinny horse that is being slaughtered to death. But, despite this, Raskolnikov still commits the murder of an old woman. Together with her, he also kills her sister Lizaveta, who witnessed the massacre. The former student hides the stolen valuables in a random place, without even estimating their value. Describes the murder scene in the novelDostoevsky. "Crime and Punishment" allows us not only to get acquainted with the psychology of the criminal, but also to understand the motives for committing this atrocity.

Raskolnikov's acquaintance with Sonya and Katerina Ivanovna

After the crime, Raskolnikov feels sick. It does not go unnoticed by others. Soon, rumors reach him that the house painter Mikolka is accused of murdering the old woman. Our hero feels strong remorse and decides to confess to his deed. But at this time, he sees how the carriage runs over a man. Rodion runs up and sees that it is Marmeladov. Our hero spends his last money so that the dying man is brought home and a doctor is called to him. In Marmeladov's house, he meets his daughter Sonya and Katerina Ivanovna. This is how Dostoevsky describes one of the most significant episodes in the novel. Crime and Punishment evokes mixed feelings in readers. Someone pities the main character, someone treats him with disgust. I would like to believe that acquaintance with Sonechka Marmeladova will change the whole life of Rodion Raskolnikov.

Rodion's conversation with the investigator

In order to find out if the things he pledged were found, Raskolnikov comes to investigator Porfiry Petrovich. There is a long conversation between them. The former student assures that there are two categories of people: the lowest and the highest. He says that the highest echelon is given the right to "blood according to conscience." The shrewd policeman suspects that the killer of old women is sitting in front of him. Buthe has no evidence.

Mikolka confesses to murder

This was not Raskolnikov's last conversation with the investigator. Soon the killer, tormented by remorse and doubts in his theory, again comes to the police. The investigator manages to bring the criminal to a nervous breakdown. His sincere confession is near. But unexpectedly for everyone, the painter from the village of Mikolka takes over the murder.

Raskolnikov's confession

It would seem that everything ended well for Rodion. He has the ability to escape punishment. But the thought of a perfect atrocity haunts him. He feels the need to share them with someone. Raskolnikov goes to Sonya and tells her everything. She pities the murderer, saying that moral torment is stronger than physical torment and invites him to atone for his sin by confession and subsequent punishment. However, Rodion does not agree with her. He does not want to feel like a "trembling creature." The former student goes home and meets investigator Porfiry there, who has come to convince him to confess to the murder. Rodion is trying to evade responsibility here too. But soon our hero still comes to the station to make a confession. After the trial, he is sent to hard labor in Siberia. Sonya Marmeladova settles near him to share his torment with him. Gradually, the killer becomes convinced that his theory generates only chaos and death. On the way to spiritual resurrection, he takes the Gospel in his hands. With this episode, Dostoevsky uploads his novel. "Crime and Punishment" was published in parts. After its publication, the work was finalized and shortened.author. This is how it has survived to this day.

Despite the complexity of the issues raised, Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment" is very easy to read. Therefore, it is recommended that you read it in its entirety.