Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment.

This was the first novel I read from Russian literature and I finally understand why many people find it hard to read Russian novels. There is an intensity of despair can only be found in literature produced by Russian minds. Immediately, Crime and Punishment highlights to the reader the complexity of the protagonist’s thoughts and his conflicting emotions.

Raskolnikov, from first glance, is normal, but he is in fact a threat to people of high intelligence since his way of thinking is a challenge to them. Raskolnikov seeks out knowledge and craves for more. Although he can be virwed as someone who believes themselves to be in a higher intelligent class due to his ability to comprehend making him appear on the off shoot as arrogant, but Raskolnikov still contains a goodness that is demonstrated to the reader.

The novel follows his delirious days after having commit his crime. I believe this is a tale of a conflict between Raskolnikov's own sanity and his insanity- he has to battle his own sense of self. In every crime novel there is the crime and there is its punishment, but this is one of the first novels to highlight the worst sort of punishment, one inflicted by oneself.

This novel revolves heavily around psychology. It demonstrates one’s inner torment, the delusions one’s conscience creates due to the effects of guilt and Raskolnikov’s path to deciding what he should do. It’s incredibly fascinating. I would never have linked him to the crime (I can’t say any more than that, but it is very very clever)

The only way I understood is through Porfiry. He is indeed extraordinarily clever and has his own way of removing the truth from an individual, as evidenced by the book it isn’t always reliable or acceptable. Messing with the mind is dangerous, and both men knew that. Porfiry’s first attempt of gaining information is engrossing, the discussion of Raskolnikov’s theory is intense and suspenseful. As readers we are itching to know whether Porfiry could actually break down Raskolnikov’s walls.

Sonia had the biggest impact on Raskolnikov’s turning point in life as their relationship is rapid but deeply felt. Sonia, despite her youth, but is mature enough to move Raskolnikov to do the right thing. He opened himself out to her and in return Sonia helped him gain another chance at his life. She is the pillar of his new life.

Razumikhin is one of the most loyal characters I have ever read about. He helped Raskolnikov in multiple ways and he was always a source Raskolnikov could trust and know his support is there. If it wasn’t for him, Raskolnikov’s mind would have collapsed into deep misery before he could call for help.

Crime and punishment provides us a compelling account of the wanderings of the mind. It identifies the rights, wrongs and teaching oneself to forgive and accept consequences of your own actions. What Raskolnikov did, he did to himself and yet he was finally able to accept the consequences. What was waiting for him was only possible due to the few people who stood by him despite everything he did.

This novel captures how one can go from extreme suffering to overall acceptance.