Crime and Punishment - by Fyodor Dostoevsky; a brief review

[lukebodell]

Hi everyone, tell me what you think about my style, approach, structure etc...I'm creating a new website, and would like all the advice I can get. Thank you.



A novel unique during its time, and unique to this day, Crime and Punishment is a highly psychological book that follows a young murderer, Raskolnikov, and chronicles with extreme detail the stream of thought of this character before, during and after the crime. Although still a gripping moment of the book, the crime itself is not what is important in Crime and Punishment; it is the consequent psychological implications upon oneself that fills most of the book. The inner turmoil suffered by Raskolnikov is reflected in an almost Shakesperian pathetic fallacy: the chaos and sheer noise of the setting of this book - St. Petersburg - reflects Raskolnikovs 'split' in his mind.

The book carries strong religious undertones that increase in magnitude as the book progresses, although I will not reveal any more to keep the plot unknown to you. A sharp, challenging novel (with regards to the questions it raises), Crime and Punishment will demand you review your current beliefs. When considering the depth of this novel, it is quite unbelievable that Dostoevsky wrote it hurriedly in order to pay of debts; the level of complexity is unbecoming of a book written at such haste.

It also deals with an idea that perhaps everyone has encountered in some form: if you could kill one rich, selfish old woman and use her money to benefit other people, do you have the right to do it? Or in more abstract terms, does anyone have the right to take from or harm another person for the greater good? Raskolnikov believes there are certain ‘extraordinary’ people who have the right to transgress societal law in order to bring about a greater change; he uses Napoleon and Moses as an example. What Moses did (freeing his enslaved people) was in fact against the laws of his time, but it is clear what he did was for the greater good. And this is but one of numerous profound ideas discussed throughout this astoundingly deep book; this is recommended for adults of all ages and tastes.


Thanks,

Luke

[joey88]

Well, humanistic approach is merely one of the superficial levels of this book interpretation. That's true that Dostoevsky wrote the novel mostly to make his ends meet and that it lacks the profoundness of "The Demons" or "The Brothers Karamazov", but personally for me the true value of this book is in criticism of all misperceived social and philosophical Doctrines. It is nothing to do with Christianity (though Raskolnikov is reborn trhough re-consolidation with God, with the help of the self-sacrifice of deranged Sonya), it just deals with the notion of God in a metaphysical sense. Moreover, through long and painful reflexions of Raskolnikov Dostoevsky provided a priceless critics of the misperceived Nietzsche's teaching on the Super-Human (yeah, even before Nietzsche wrote his world-renowned work)

But well, your style is good enough and I think you have a potential as a writer/critic

And I forgot to add when I posted this that some time ago I wrote an essay on Dostoevsky's literary heritage and the theme of Christian Absolution in his works. It should now be posted here: ProfEssaysDOTcom though without my name or whatever, which sometimes bites my pride:)

[lukebodell]

Yeah, I remember thinking that this description of an 'extraordinary being' preceded Nietzsche by a couple of decades I think.

What I took out of it was the conflict between enforcing our individual will upon the world and the emotional dissidence this causes concerning other people; Raskolnikov is too empathetic to people, yet through feelings of pride he tries as hard as he can to become apathetic; almost like putting business interests before personal interests; but try doing this in every sphere of life and you - if you have a heart and soul - will feel empty for it, as loving interactions with other human beings embolden and strengthen our souls.

[Hal3]

Very succinct review. I recently started to re-read the book after many years. I'm recovering from surgery, and wanted something to take my mind off my mending. Well, I soon remembered this was not the book for that. It's wonderfully written discription of fevered Raskolnikov's thoughts, and the dismal look at the environ were sublimely depressing. A great book nonetheless.

There is so much and so many ways to critique the book, and yours is a fine summary and review. One thing, a very small thing. I would find another word to replace "unbecoming". I know what you mean, but I think unbecoming may not be the word.

Best of luck with your site.

[PhotonicGuy]

Indeed, here you managed to point out some ideas of the book. Your style is good and I wish you good luck with your site. And it is a great book.

[Perrywinkle47]

Thanks for the review

[Lennoc]

I think you've done a good job of reviewing it without giving too much away.