Book Review: Crime and Punishment

SUMMARY

PART 1: CHAPTER

Rodion Romanovich Raskolikov, a young former student who lives in a very

small apartment on top of the building went outside. He cut himself from the outside
world, he stopped caring for himself although he is handsome and intelligent, he wears
rags and often talks to himself and is indebted to his landlord for his several months of
unpaid rent. He went to a pawning store owned by an old woman named Alyana
Ivanovna whom he plans to murder. He is angered by the grievances of the old woman.
He then went to a tavern and met Marmeladov, a drunker and low-ranking civil servant
and became friend with him. Marmeladov tells his sad story about his sick wife and his
daughter Sofya who was pushed into prostitution. Due to his alcoholism, Marmeladov
spend all his salary believing that he will be forgiven by God and with his daughter
Sonya including all other sinners.

Following day, Raskolnikov received a letter from his mother, Puncheria saying
that his sister Dounia is proposed to marry Svidrigailov, a 45-year-old government
official as a result in wrongful accusation of her family and with the intention of escaping
from her miserable situation and to help her brother employed. His mother wrote in the
letter that Svidrigailov is an opportunist who is trying to take advantage of his sister.
Enrage with the sacrifice of his sister believing that Dounia were to marry for his sake
because he knows that Dounia would never marry for money, he relates his sister to be
the same as a prostitute like Sofya who is compelled to sacrifice for others.

While he was in Haymarket, he overhears two young officers talking about killing
Alyona Ivanovna because killing her would mean peace of mind to the people who she
had caused harm and destroys the lives of innocent people through her pawning. This
reminded Raskolnikov of his plan on murdering Alyona and began his preparation. He
acquired an axe and went on Alyona’s apartment and killed her including her sister
Lizaveta who happens to show at the scene.
PART 2: CHAPTER

After the murder, Raskolnikov woke up after sleeping for so long and remembers
what he had done, he conceals what he had stolen from the pawn shop and hide some
of his clothes that had to do with the murder. Natasya, the caretaker informed him that
he was called by the police at the station. At the station, he learned that he was
summoned for the nonpayment of his apartment and has nothing to do with the murder.
After clearing his name with the unpaid rent, he was about to leave when he heard the
news of the murder of Alyona and her sister which was spoken in the station. He then
fainted upon hearing the murder which made the officers to arouse suspicion on him.
This also made him believe that the officers suspected him and believed that a search
may happen in his apartment so that he conducted inventory on the items he stole. He
gathered all the items and hide it in an abandoned yard by placing it under a large
stone. Sudden realization came upon him when he noticed that he did not even count
and check the contents of the purse which made him questioned himself why did he kill
the old woman when he is not interested in the items which he robbed.

Raskolnikov straightly proceeded to the apartment of his friend Razumikhin

where his friend observes that Raskolnikov seems to be seriously ill. He left Razumikhin
and walks on the street for several hours before reaching his apartment where he had
fallen asleep. He dreamed that his landlady was beaten by a police officer, he was
awakened by Natasya and noticed that he is sick and collapsed making him
unconscious. Although he was in a state of delirium, he felt that many people had been
in his room to include Nastasya. He wakes up and notice a new face male named a
Razumihin who ask him to sign a receipt for 35 roubles which was sent by his mother
and who has been nursing him for several days. Luzhin, the fiancée of his sister Dounia
arrived in his apartment to visit him and wishes to introduce himself but he insulted
Luzhin and kicks him out including Razumihin and Zossimov the doctor who is attending
Raskolnikov.

Raskolnikov changes into new clothes and headed to the Haymarket and to a
tavern where he saw Zametov. Zametov started a conversation regarding the murder
case where he stated that the killer did a poor job. Raskolnikov then joke asking
Zametov if what will he do in Raskolnikov was the killer. Raskolnikov planned to
surrender to the police and on his way to the station he witnessed an accident where
the victim, Marmeladov died. Before leaving, he then gave his remaining money to the
widow, Katerina saying that it is a payment for his debt to Marmeladov. Raskolnikov
went to see Razumihin and apologize for his mistreatment and both of them went to
Raskolnikov’s place. Upon reaching Raskolnikov place, they saw his mother and sister
in which he fainted.

PART 3: CHAPTER

Raskolnikov awaken and ask his mother and sister to leave. He disapproves of
the marriage of his sister to Luzhin. Razumihin who had developed immediately a
feeling for Dounia, offers to accompany them in going back to their apartment. Following
day, he reported to Pulcheria and Dounia where Pulcheria shows Razumihin a letter
from Luzhin saying that he will visit them but without the presence of Raskolnikov.
Luzhin added that he saw Raskolnikov gave 25 rubles to Sofya. Regardless of the
letter, the three went to see Raskolnikov. Raskolnikov explained to her mother that he
gave the 25 roubles to Katerina for the funeral expenses. He also told his sister that he
does not support her marriage to Luzhin but her sister insisted. This angered
Raskolnikov and tells his sister to marry whomever she wants. Raskolnikov read the
letter Luzhin had sent and explain that he gave the money to Katerina and not to Sofya,
he believed that Luzhin is trying to imply that his connection to prostitute therefore, he
says he will be attending the meeting.

Sofya went to Raskolnikov’s apartment and conveyed a message to Raskolnikov

to attend the funeral of Marmeladov the following morning. Pulcheria and Dounia then
left the apartment and went to their apartment. When the two had left already, Sofya
had a conversation with Razumihin telling him that Porfiry is investigating all individual
who had pawned items with regards to the murder case. Raskolnikov then plan to met
with Porfiry. Porfiry told Raskolnikov that he has been waiting for him because he was
listed to have pawned two items but he is the only one who had not visited. Other
questions were asked by Porfiry but Raskolnikov carefully answered the question
weighing the words he speaks to avoid being nervous.

Raskolnikov returns form his apartment and learned that a tradesman is looking
for him but only tells him “murdered” and walks away. He returns again in his apartment
and had fallen asleep. in his sleep, he dreamed of the tradesman to the pawnbroker’s
house. He wakes up again and find a man in his room namely Svidrigailov.

PART 4: CHAPTER

Svidrigailov introduce himself to Raskolnikov and spoke of his relation to her but
claims also that he no longer has romantic interest to Dounia. Svidrigailov only wants to
stop the marriage between Dounia and Luzhin, he offers 10,000 rouble to Raskolnikov
for fixing a meeting with Dounia but Raskolnikol denied. Svidrigailov then told
Raskolnikov that his wife left Dounia 3,000 roubles before she passed away.

Raskolnikov attended the meeting wherein Luzhin stated that Svidrigailov is a

depraved but is defended by Dounia. Luzhin was confronted with the lies he wrote in his
letter about Sofna receiving a money from Raskolnikov. Dounia after a heated argument
about the slander of Luzhin ask the latter to leave. Raskolnikov then leaves and tells his
family that they might not see again each other and ask also Razumihin to take care of
her family.

Raskolnikov went to see Sofna and they discussed about the sad situation of
Sofna, in the end, Raskolnikov tells Sofna that they have the same path and is
determine to tell to Sofna about the murder on the following days. Meanwhile,
Svidrigailov overheard their conversation and plan to listen on what Raskolnikov would
say. Raskolnikov then went to the police station and met with Porfiry whom he decided
to admit about the murder but another man named Nikolai the painter confessed to the
killing of the pawn owner.

PART 5: CHAPTER
 Luzhin who is still upset about what went about the meeting with Dounia,
attended the funeral of Marmeladov. Their, he expressed that he wants to help the
family of Sonya and gave the latter money. During the funeral, Katerina and Amalia the
landlady had a heated conversation where Katerina had asked for help to Luzhin in
regarding the quarrel. Instead, Luzhin claimed that he is missing 100 rouble in his room
and accused Sonya of stealing the money despite giving her 10 roubles. Amalia said
that Sonya must be brought to the police but Luzhin offers forgiveness to Sonya. On the
other hand, Lebeziatnikov who is associated to Luzhin stated that the whole incident is
a set-up plotted only by Luzhin so that the event of forgiving Sonya would reflect on his
image as a kind man who can forgive. Chaos had prompted on the funeral where Sonya
left and went to Raskolnikov apartment. Raskolnikov followed Sonya and confessed to
her that he was the one who murdered the pawn owner and explained to her why he
had committed that murder. Sonya then told Raskolnikov to surrender and pay for his
crime so that he could go on living his life. During their conversation, Lebeziatnikov
appeared and told them that Katernina is creating chaos in the street. Later, Katerina
had gone mad and while running in the street, she falls, and started coughing up blood.
On that same day, Katerina died. Svidrigailov on the other hand talk to Raskolnikov and
offered that he will provide support for the funeral and the family to which Raskolnikov
asks why would he do that. Svidrigailov answered that he is staying on the other side of
his room insinuating that he had heard of his past conversation with Sonya.

PART 6: CHAPTER

Raskolnikov was about to leave his apartment when he runs into Porfiry. Porfiry
wants to explain to Raskolnikov what made him believed that he is the murderer and will
arrest him soon and tells Raskolnikov to voluntary surrender and confess so that his
sentence will be reduced. Raskolnikov then went to see Svidrigailov fearing that the
latter will use the information he has to gain Dounia. Raskolnikov found Svidrigailov in
an inn where they had a conversation, he also warned Svidrigailov not to approach her
sister.
 Svidrigailov approached Dounia concealing himself so that he will not be seen by
Raskolnikov to his apartment. Svidrigailov then told Dounia about the murder committed
by his brother whom he heard Raskolnikov confessed to Sonya. He then offered Dounia
that he will not inform the authorities if she would agree with him to go to America.
Dounia replied that he will not go with him even for the reason of saving her brother.
Svidrigailov then went to see his fiancée ang gave her 15,000 rouble and went to stay in
a rundown inn. One morning, he went outside the building and saw the duty guard
which he pulls the gun of the guard and shoot himself.

Raskolnikov finds her sister Dounia in his apartment, the latter asked him if he
had confessed his crime to their mother and answered no. Dounia tell her brother that
he had committed a crime and therefore must pay for the price. Raskolnikov then went
to see Sonya who is waiting for him. Sonya persuaded Raskolnikov to confess his crime
and even accompanied him to the police station. At the station, Raskolnikov met
Gunpowder and admitted that he was the one who killed the pawn owner and her sister.

Raskolnikov received a light sentence due to his admission and attestation of his
good character. He was sent to Siberia in which Sonya accompanied him. Razumihin
on the other side married Dounia. Raskolnikov lately found that her mother died through
Sonya who maintain communication with him whom she settled in a town near the camp
where Raskolnikov is imprison. She often visits Raskolnikov from time to time. One day,
he is seated enjoying the view of nature in front of him when suddenly Sonya sat beside
him. From that time, Raskolnikov acknowledge the love of Sonya.

ANALYSIS

The story wants to show that Raskolnikov and he believed that he has the right to
kill the old woman pawnbroker. This implies that he sees himself as an extraordinary
man and feels that he is above the law and the woman he killed is a bad member of the
society, he even executed the killing without someone helping or guiding him. In the
story, the old woman pawnbroker is criticized by the people, she is dislike by many
because of her negative and greediness attitude and even overheard two people talking
about the pawnbroker taking money from the poor. This prompted Raskolnikov and
even strengthen his intent that he has the right to kill this woman. Later after
Raskolnikov committed the crime, he felt the guilt of his crime. This occupied his mind
that bothered him for so long and even confusing him whether to confess his crime or
not, and whether the police know what he did. In this part of the book, it tells that
punishment does not only mean incarceration but includes psychological punishment
where in Raskolnikov had experienced. Aside from the legal punishment which in the
latter part of the book where he was imprisoned, he also suffered mental distress,
agony, and guilt and only through confession that he can gain his freedom from those
mental sufferings and feels peaceful. This was showed in the part where he confessed
his crime to Sonya, and later on to the police.

Lastly, love, we all longed to be love truly. As in the case of Raskolnikov, he has
his mother, his sister, his friend, and Sonya. Every each of them showed concern and
love to Raskolnikov to which help him in finally deciding to confess of the crime that he
had committed. Sonia for example, because of her love, Raskolnikov had the courage
to accept whatever punishment might come to him and also acknowledge the sanctity in
human nature and accepted his faith in God. These happenings from the book only
depicts that a person can change even if he is a great sinner, because with people
around him who is supporting, caring, and loving him, then punishment would not mean
suffering instead a way to change, internalize oneself, repentance, and forgiving.

ARGUMENT

The crime, the killing committed by Raskolnikov is quite harsh, the way he killed
the victims is very inhumane for a first timer killer including the choice of murder weapon
because with this kind of killing to include the preparation is most likely to be a product
of professional killers. Thus, it is said in the story that Raskolnikov is a former intelligent
student whose mind is overloaded to the point of madness by his oppressive condition
in life. So, when he committed the crime, it looks as if he committed the crime of
robbery. But it was not clearly stated in this book as to what really drove him to commit
the hideous crime. If it was included then by the writer, then we may have a better
understanding as to why he really did the murder, and not just by believing that due to
his belief that he is extraordinary person who has the right to kill the victim because the
victim is a worthless person. The writer really put a bad impression on the victim but we
might as well consider that the victim has a family. It is a matter that Raskolnikov should
have though before commencing his brutal killing because the victim is also a person, a
woman who provides for herself, and mind that without having to sell her body to
someone else. It may be good to say that Raskolnikov may be motivated by the murder
imbedded in his mind the idea of killing for common good.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the crime and punishment book is significant where in Raskolnikov

the main character commits a crime and faces punishment. The punishment is not just
being incarcerated but includes internal struggles. The book demonstrates how a sinner
specifically a murderer lives through his life. It displays the nature, behavior and conduct
of a murdered before and after his commission of the murder. The book describes the
struggle of the person that affected his mental well being up to his confession and
punishment. It also gave emphasis on the murderer’s longing for salvation because only
through salvation which is his admission of his guilt that he will be freed from his internal
struggles.