Crime and Punishment

Author: (Russian) Dostoevsky
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-10-01
Features: The protagonist of the novel, Raskolnikov, is a poor university student who drops out due to financial constraints and takes up a job as a tutor. The landlady also refuses to provide him with meals because he cannot afford the rent. Due to poverty, hunger, and lack of support, he falls into a state of misery and despair. However, he is naturally strong-willed and proud, with his own views on society. He categorizes people into "ordinary" and "extraordinary" classes. Ordinary people must be submissive and follow orders; they are merely materials for reproducing their kind. On the other hand, extraordinary people can do as they please, and the reason is that they belong to the ruling class.