Summary of crime and punishment

Entry 4: Summary of crime and punishment

In this section a summary of Crime and Punishment is given:

In the opening pages of Crime and Punishment, we are introduced to Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, a young former student living in squalid conditions in St. Petersburg. His small, dilapidated room reflects his extreme poverty and isolation, while his mind is caught in a whirlwind of disturbing and disordered thoughts, hinting at a deep inner anguish.

From the beginning, Fyodor Dostoyevsky immerses us in the complex psychology of Raskolnikov, who is consumed by his circumstances and overwhelmed by an existential dilemma. His erratic and self-absorbed behavior suggests that he is planning an act of great significance, although the exact nature of his intention remains uncertain. As he wanders through the city, his internal struggle intensifies, oscillating between the rationalization of his ideas and the weight of his conscience.

The narrative builds an oppressive and dense atmosphere, highlighting the protagonist's desperation. These first pages establish the moral and psychological conflict that will mark the development of the story, as Raskolnikov faces a decision that will irreversibly transform his life. Dostoyevsky thus traces the clash between the character's cold and calculating thinking and his deepest and most turbulent emotions.