Suffering in Crime and Punisment

A detailed Summary of Suffering in Crime and Punisment

In the novel Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky,

suffering is an integral part of every character's role. However, the

message that Dostoevsky wants to present with the main character,

Raskolnikov, is not one of the Christian idea of salvation through

suffering. Rather, it appears to me, as if the author never lets his

main character suffer mentally throughout the novel, in relation to

the crime, that is. His only pain seems to be physical sicknes.

Raskolnikov commits a premeditated murder in a state of

delirium. He ends up committing a second murder, which he never ever

wanted to be responsible for. He kills Lizaveta, an exceedingly

innocent person. But does the author ever remind us of the murder at

any time in the novel again? Not in the physical sense of the crime

itself. The reader doesn't hear about how heavily the murders are

weighing on his heart, or how he is tormented by visions of the crime.

He doesn't feel the least bit guilty about having committed the crime,

only his pride's hurt. He doesn't mention the idea of the pain that

suffering, if any, is purely superficial. The idea of suffering has to

One might argue that Raskolnikov's illnesses arise from his

suffering, but he does view it as punishment, because he would rather

Raskolnikov's conscience for his terrible illness.

Lizaveta's face when he brings down the axe on her head. These things

pain and suffering that Raskolnikov feels is untrue, silly, and backed

Approximate Word count = 736
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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