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Mahmoud Al-Qudsi

Mister Meyers

English 252

10 October 2003

Punishment and Crime

Not all the greatest literary works can be expected to come from the same

language, culture, or origin. However, there is no ideal way to judge the ranking of a

novel after translation, for many of its previous linguistic implications and references re

then lost. If a book, even after translation is considered a great masterpiece, then it is

most definitely worth some attention. Fyodor Dostoevsky uses literary themes in

coordination with a plot based on his own experiences, reflecting the very thoughts and

feelings of the reader, to produce such a novel in Crime and Punishment.

Fyodor Mikhailevich Dostoevsky, born in Moscow on October 30, 1921,

Dostoevsky was destined to lead a life of misfortune. Brought up under tense

circumstances, and with a harsh childhood due to conflicts between his loving mother and

demanding father, he became an extra-ordinary man. His mother died when he was only

15, and his father was murdered the following year. He lived his life in sadness, but soon

rose to considerable fame in the Russian Army, but that also was not to last.

He was soon accused of plotting against the nation on April 22, 1849, as a part of

a group publishing satirical writings expressing their negative outlook regarding the

control of the Russian tsar, and the state of the poor. He was sentenced to death, but later

exiled to Siberia. There he considered himself a poor educated man, and faced great
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discrimination because of it. Upon his return, he began publishing some of his more

famed books, and became nationally renowned (http://www.dartmouth.edu/ ~karamazo).

In Crime and Punishment, the main character “Rodya” is a poor educated man,

who resolves to change his life and his condition for the better. He murders a local

pawnbroker, and steals her money and goods, but his heart stops him from benefiting

from the spoils of his crime. He covers his tracks well, and evades the officials, but in the

end, after much mental self-torture, he decides that any punishment sent upon him would

be more merciful than guilt, and confesses, and is thus exiled to Siberia.

Before confessing, he meets several interesting people, who shared experiences

like his own: Sonia, a prostitute; Marmeladov, a drunken official who understands things

in a light that Rodya would soon come to share, and his own sister Doubia, who helps

him realize his mistakes and their effects. He comes to see that right and wrong are

contextual, and have no true meaning in crime and punishment.

These dominating aspects of his life were largely symbolized in his writings. The

religious fanaticism his father and grandfather had, and his hateful disposition towards

them was shown to a great extent when Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikov, the

protagonist of the story, expressed his irritation at the discussion of religion, even with

some of the people he loved most, specifically Sofya Semyonovna Marmeladov, or

Sonia, and his sister Avodtya Romanovna Raskolnikov, or Dounia. The unconditional

love of Dostoevsky‟s mother towards him was very palpable in the relationship between

Pulcheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikov, and her son.

The most important similarities between Dostoevsky's life and that of „Rodya,‟ lie

in the portrayal of the Russian hierarchical system, and the way both characters act in
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response to their “criminal” actions. The very essence of the events committed by both

are akin, with both of them classifying their actions a benefit to humanity and a must, and

society as a whole (with the exception of several close friends and associates) identifying

them as unforgivable crimes that must not go unpunished.

When Rodya killed Elena Ivanova, he said he done no more than end the troubles

a “louse” had brought to the poor, and had stopped her plans to take advantage of the

poverty found in St. Petersburg. In relation, Dostoevsky and his associates were planning

on, or were at least accused of, planning to murder tsar Nicholas, which they viewed as

no less than a great service to the poorer inhabitants of Russia (http://www.dartmouth.edu

/~karamazo/).

The comportment of both individuals behaved in response to their alleged

transgressions also shows another side of the judicial system in almost all nations, in

which it is shown that laws cannot be fair to all people at all times, and please everyone.

Dostoevsky attracts the attention of readers with his references to controversial topics

throughout history that were not limited to any certain eras, and are constantly a part of

life. He shows the law as being oriented towards the rich upper class, which then rules

and judges the lower class according to their standards, not understanding that there

might be reasons behind the seemingly unreasonable actions. This theme in his writing

would appeal to the politically interested readers of his novel.

To the other readers, there are many other themes that Dostoevsky placed in his

novel; one which is the issue of feminine equality, expressed when Rodya raised the

question of why his mother was willing to sacrifice his sister, her love life, and her

individuality just to ensure that Rodya would remain as happy as possible: “But my
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mother? It‟s all Rodya, precious Rodya, her first born! For such a son who would not

sacrifice such a daughter! Oh, loving, son who would not sacrifice such a daughter! Oh,

loving, even from Sonia‟s fate.” It was also mentioned in passing throughout the novel,

such as the expression and implications of Arkady Ivanovitch Svidrigailov‟s feelings

towards Dounia, and the way in which she rebutted him.

A religious theme is also present in his work, brought out of Dostoevsky‟s own

experiences while in Siberia. He had been attacked once on a suspicion of his not being a

believer in God, and the mob would not leave him until he convinced them that he always

had, and always will. In the story, there is a religious awakening within Rodya: earlier on,

he is completely oblivious of any real religion, but at the end of the novel, he kisses filthy

dirt, and wears a cross to show his devotion to god, and fully expects him to have mercy.

The last literary theme of great importance is the classification and importance of

knowledge. Throughout the book (and throughout Dostoevsky‟s life), Dostoevsky

remarks on the position of knowledge in poverty, and explains that poverty is not a vice

unless its possessor makes it become one, by not acquiring knowledge. Also on numerous

occasions throughout the book, Dostoevsky remarks, “a learned-man such as…” in

collaboration with Rodya to show that he is special because of his knowledge, even if he

was poor.

The largest literary aspect found in the novel is the symbolical metaphor, set up

from the beginning of the book to its end, and what it represents. Dostoevsky sets up the

story to match his own life, even going as far as observing proper chronological order of

the events that occurred (i.e. separation of family, followed by an active life of „crime‟

and then exile, etc.). Dostoevsky's life in turn is a microcosm of the entire political
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system in the world; and shows how people act in response to the regulations set by the

law. In this manner, Dostoevsky cleverly sets up an enormous metaphor of the entire

book, which helps him accomplish his goals.

Fyodor Dostoevsky created this “epic novel” based on his own experiences, and

attached to it several literary themes that made it hard for most readers to resist. He used

his novels as a form of rebellion, and with them, he showed many people that a change

was necessary in the government. Crime and Punishment clearly summarizes the

highlights of his life, and the main goals that Dostoevsky strove hard to achieve. He also

showed that educated men in poverty have been punished by their hierarchical position,

and that only crime can be expected to follow this punishment.

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Works Cited

Gocsik, Karen. Biography of Dostoevsky. 29 Sep. 2003

<http://www-ed.fnal.gov/samplers/hsphys/people/lederman.html>.