Why you shouldn't commit murder

St. Petersburg, Russia during “Crime and Punishment” was stricken by poverty, abuse, alcoholism, and mistrust. Moral corruption seemed to run in the veins- the rich took advantage of the vulnerable, even when their situation didn’t demand them to.

Raskolnikov, an ex-law student living in abject poverty, was burdened with the expectations of his mother and sister. Naturally, he hated his life and felt powerless. Fortunately, one day, he contemplates a miraculous solution to his problem- murder.

If we brush off that murder is inherently wrong, Roskolnikov’s idea makes a lot of sense. The victim of his plans was to be an exploitative pawnbroker hated by everyone. As many of Roskolnikov’s problems could be solved by money, the valuables she possessed would bring greater utility in his hands. Moreover, it is necessary to break the law to bring about change in society. Revolutionary acts are radical by nature and usually oppose the existing laws and norms. In essence, the law was stopping the genius of Raskolnikov from completing his destiny, to make the world a better place.

Immediately after the murder, Raskolnikov feels euphoric, as he feels a sense of control in his life, something that society had stripped away from him. Unfortunately, this emotional state is short-lived as he enters the worst phase of his life.

Paranoia engulfs Roskolnikov’s life as he can never let his guard down and must choose every word wisely, for fear of people discovering his secret. As a result, he jeopardizes his ability to communicate with people and reciprocates their goodwill with irritability and disdain. His physical health rapidly deteriorates as he looks sick and pale all the time. He feels more isolated and alienated in society. In the end, the pain becomes unbearable- he confesses his sins and accepts the state’s punishment.

Crime and punishment is not a typical mystery novel about committing a crime and trying not to get caught. It delineates the mind of Roskolnikov, a criminal, before and after committing the crime. The narrative constantly shifts from 1st person to 3rd person, making Roskolnikov completely naked to the reader as we get to see both what the person talking to Roskolnikov is feeling and what he is feeling.

All hope is not lost for Roskolnikov as the book ends on a good note. His psychological punishment finally ends when he finds love and hope in a woman called Sonia. Indicating that all along, he felt hopeless about the future not because of poverty but because he had no one to build it together with.