Preface
Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky (1821-1881) is a well-known Russian writer to Chinese readers. Gorky once commented that in terms of artistic expression, only Shakespeare can rival Dostoevsky.
Dostoevsky was born into poverty and graduated from the St. Petersburg Military Engineering School in 1843. Shortly after graduation, he began to devote himself to literary creation. The novella "The Poor" published in 1846 received acclaim in the literary world, and from then on Dostoevsky became a renowned writer.
Dostoevsky's works mainly include "The Poor," "The Insulted and the Damaged," "Notes on the Dead House," "The Idiot," "The Youth," "Crime and Punishment," "The Karamazhev Brothers," and so on. The novel "Crime and Punishment" is a representative work of Dostoevsky, and is the most widely circulated, influential, and world-renowned novel among Dostoevsky's works.
The protagonist of the novel, Raskolnikov, is a poor college student who dropped out of school to become a private tutor due to financial constraints. The female landlord also refuses to provide him with meals because he cannot afford rent; He fell into a state of pain and despair due to poverty, hunger, and helplessness. But he is also naturally strong and proud, with his own views on society. He divides people into two categories: "ordinary" and "extraordinary". Ordinary people must be at the mercy of others and obey orders. They are just materials for breeding their own kind; But extraordinary people can do whatever they want, precisely because they belong to the ruling class.
Raskolnikov also wanted to become a member of the ruling class and a Napoleonic genius, so he went to kill an old woman who was lending high interest loans. At the same time, he also sees himself as a genius. After the murder, his mind completely collapsed and he fell into deep pain, realizing that he had not 'crossed' over.
Sonia is a beacon of hope for Raskolnikov in his despair. Their image is a contrast between reason and emotion. Sonia's heart is filled with love for people, a symbol of human suffering.
The book vividly depicts the difficult life and tragic fate of the Malmelatov family, exposes the essence of unhealthy social phenomena such as alcoholism and prostitution under the capitalist system, and accuses inequality under the capitalist system.
The novel 'Crime and Punishment' presents us with a realistic picture of social life during the period of capitalist rule in 19th century Russia. The author employs a comparative artistic technique, not only depicting the poor, kind, and resigned people, but also outlining the despicable, selfish, and hesitant people. This contrast between positive and negative highlights the characteristics of the characters more vividly, making contradictions and conflicts more acute.
Crime and Punishment is not only a social and philosophical novel, but also a work of psychological description. The book vividly and authentically portrays the criminal psychology of the protagonist Raskolnikov, contrasting beauty with ugliness, nobility with baseness, reflecting the tragic scene of cannibalism in capitalist society.
March 2014


Editor's Pick
Crime and Punishment (Complete Translation) is one of Dostoevsky's most profound and realistic works. He mercilessly analyzed the social reality of Russia in that era with sharp strokes, delving deep into every corner of the lower echelons of society, suffocating the feeling that being at a dead end was the main theme of the novel. Various social reasons have forced poor and helpless people into a dilemma and a dilemma. The background of the story takes place in the mid-19th century in a Russian city characterized by wealth inequality, social poverty, and unrest. Raskolnikov, a law student with ideals in his heart, was forced to stop his studies in school due to the impoverished life that left him gasping for breath. Forced to make a living, he killed an old lady who was a high interest loan landlord and her innocent sister, creating a shocking murder case that shocked all of Russia.
Celebrity Recommendation
I am fascinated by 'Crime and Punishment'. I would like to compare this novel with 'War and Peace'... 'War and Peace' is an endless life, an ocean of the soul, and you yourself seem to have become the soul of God. Flying over the waves. 'Crime and Punishment' is a storm that suddenly erupts in a person's heart, and you are like a seagull: a huge wave hits, the waves splash, and the seagull is swept away
——Roman Rolland
Media recommendations
I am fascinated by 'Crime and Punishment'. I would like to compare this novel with 'War and Peace'... 'War and Peace' is an endless life, an ocean of the soul, and you yourself seem to have become the soul of God. Flying over the waves. 'Crime and Punishment' is a storm that suddenly erupts in a person's heart, and you are like a seagull: a huge wave hits, the waves splash, and the seagull is swept away. "- Romain Rolland
Author's Profile
Author: Dostoevsky (Russia) Translator: Zou Xiayun