Book Review
Does “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Still Matter today ?
Exploring the Relevance of a Russian Classic in 21st Century
Written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and published in the mid-1860s, “Crime and Punishment” is a story of a young boy, Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, roaming around in Petersburg, Russia with a burden in his heart and a dilemma on his mind. I tried to express my views regarding this epic tale of psychological turmoil. For book summary, kindly refer to goodreads or cliffnotes (for detailed version)
While flipping through the guilt-ridden, overthinking existence of Raskolnikov, I found myself repeatedly drawn back to these timeless Punjabi verses by Munir Niazi.
کُجھ اُنج وی رہواں اُوکھیاں سن
کُجھ گل وچ غم دا طوق وی سی
کُجھ شہر دے لوک وی ظالم سن
کُجھ مینوں مرن دا شوق وی سی
“The paths I tread were thorny,
I was carrying a burden of sorrow.
My townsfolk, though, were not kind,
But at some level, I myself was longing for death”
Raskolnikov — The Tormented Protagonist
Raskolnikov assisted Dostoyevsky in capturing the tussle between rationality and emotions, in testing the limits of human suffering, and in exploring the complex relation between good and evil. Raskolnikov’s struggle with religion, morality and ethics partially led him to believe that he is above society. His classifications of mankind into ordinary and extraordinary individuals and his opinion regarding the latter’s freedom from societal norms and moral codes kept him in a repeated cycle of isolation and disillusionment. Throughout the story, Raskolnikov was in a constant struggle to understand, comprehend and at some level find justification (for himself) for his actions.
Contrasting Nature of Dostoyevsky’s Characters
Along with Raskolnikov, the supporting characters in the book also deliver various aspects of human nature. They provide an unbiased view of the social and moral setting of 19th-century Russia, which can easily be mapped to the contemporary world.
- Marmeladov, a disgraced soldier, represents a lower class having some characteristics of Hobbes’ chaotic state of nature while in contrast, Petrovich displays legal idealism.
- At one end, Razumikhin epitomises the lessons of humanity, loyalty, selflessness and friendship. However, these ideas are challenged by characters like Svidrigailov and Luhzin who represent the darker side of human nature, with Svidrigailov shows a complete lack of morality, while Luhzin is a symbol of greed and selfishness.
- While Sonya Semyonovna and Dunya represent women as compassionate, strong, intelligent, powerful and enduring beings, Katerina Ivanovna’s struggles as a mother, widow, and a woman are no different than women striving against prejudices in modern times.
Dostoyevsky demonstrates great skill in developing his characters through their interactions with each other and with the protagonist, Raskolnikov.
The Questions For Modern Society
Although the book might not impress the readers looking for a crime thriller or a mystery. Still, this excellent Russian classic asks the reader in the 21st century, “Does the concept of punishment in contemporary society serve its true purpose ? Whether the issues highlighted and gaps identified by Dostoyevsky in the 1860s are filled by today’s legal system? And why are the moral and ethical standards of society still failing to counter the prevailing ideologies of lawlessness in society?”
Not only that, but the book also shed light on the concepts of pain, suffering, love, hate, and the complexities of human interactions. Dostoyevsky’s life experiences, his religious and political beliefs, his imprisonment, and his financial situation had a profound impact on the theme, characters, and direction of the novel. Such attributes make “Crime and Punishment” an interesting read for those who are looking for thought-provoking and introspective literature.
In conclusion, “Crime and Punishment” is rightfully regarded as a masterpiece of psychological thriller and moral complexities. Sentiments such as “Man grows used to everything, the scoundrel”, “It takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently.” and “To go wrong in one’s own way is better than to go right in someone else’s” are reflected throughout the book which time and again challenges the reader’s beliefs and values.
