F.M. Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment": a summary of the novel

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

All Dostoevsky's novels and stories are based on the experiences of the human soul. He doesn't care what the hero does. He cares what he thinks and what he says. In all the works of the author there are long dialogues and monologues. And it is very difficult to retell their summary. Dostoevsky ("Crime and Punishment" helps to make sure of this) is considered a brilliant writer. And for good reason: he looks deep into the human soul.

Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment": a summary of the first part

Rodion Raskolnikov is the main character of this novel. Poor, dressed in rags. Lives in an apartment. Rather, it is a miserable closet, but there is nothing to pay for it either. Several months have passed since Rodion left the university.

The young man has a serious, nervous condition. A plan is born in his head, which he mentally prepares for implementation. He decided to kill the old pawnbroker.

One evening Rodion meets Marmeladov. He tells about the bitter fate of his family. About,that Sonya's daughter had to go to the bar because there was nothing to feed the younger children.

Then Raskolnikov receives a letter from his mother, which makes him very sad. He goes to Razumikhin, a friend from the university. On the way he meets a drunken girl, who is going to be approached by a gentleman with "dirty" intentions. Rodion sends her home.

And for himself he suddenly decides that he will go to Razumikhin after his idea is finished. At home, he quickly prepares for the crime. However, during a visit to the pawnbroker, it was necessary to kill not only her, but also Lisa, the old woman's younger sister.

Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment": a summary of the second part

Early morning. Rodion wakes up in a nervous chill. He remembers yesterday's murder, inspects clothes, trying to remove traces of blood. Hides loot behind loose wallpaper.

All further events occur as if in a dream. Raskolnikov is called to the police about non-payment of the apartment. He behaves unnaturally, too excited. Finally passes out.

Aimlessly wandering around the city, he suddenly decides to commit suicide by jumping from a bridge. But then a woman jumps off the bridge. She is rescued by a policeman. Rodion rejects the thought of suicide.

He decides to go to the police. Suddenly a man gets hit by a horse. Raskolnikov recognizes Marmeladov and does his best to help him. He feels relieved that the visit to the police is postponed.

Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment": a shortcontents of the third part

Rodion demands from her sister that she refuse her fiancé, as he does not accept her sacrifice. It occurs to him to go with Razumikhin to the policeman. It is important to find out if he is suspected of anything?

Going to dinner with his mother, Raskolnikov sees the janitor pointing at him to some tradesman. Rodion tries to find out what's wrong, but freezes in place. The tradesman distinctly calls him a murderer.

Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment": summary of the fourth part

Raskolnikov quarrels with his sister's fiancé at his mother's dinner. He accuses him of lying and sends him out. Sister Rodion tells that her former owner Svidrigailov came to him. And that Svidrigailov's wife left Dunya three thousand rubles in her will.

After dinner, he says goodbye to his mother and sister and asks not to disturb him. And he goes to Sonya, the daughter of Marmeladov. They talk for a long time. Rodion believes that they are both "in the mud", and they need to move on together.

Fifth and sixth parts: summary. Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment"

Luzhin invites Sonya to his place to give her ten rudders for the widow. And imperceptibly he tosses a hundred rubles into her pocket. Then he comes to Marmeladov's wake and accuses Sonya of stealing.

A policeman comes to Raskolnikov. They talk for a long time. Porfiry Petrovich tells Raskolnikov that he knows who killed the old woman and Lizaveta, her sister. And it is he - Raskolnikov. Onlythe investigation has nothing against him.

The prisoner Raskolnikov has been in Siberia for nine months now. Sonya follows him, they see each other quite often. She writes about everything to Dunya and Razumikhin, who became Dunya's husband.