The novel Crime and Punishment, a summary of which is given here, F. M. Dostoevsky wrote in the 60s of the 19th century. Many years have passed since then, and it still arouses burning interest among readers. The events described in it are relevant in our time.
Acquaintance with Rodion Raskolnikov
Rodion Raskolnikov is a former student living in the attic of an old house. He has no money, he owes everything to the mistress of the house. He is dressed badly. In such rags even a tramp would be ashamed to go out into the street. At this time, he lives by laying his few valuable things to the old woman-interest-girl. The day came when he had to take her last treasure to her. Rodion is planning to kill the old woman. On the way to her, he reflects on how it would be good to rid the world of this "old and evil widow." Having laid his silver watch, the former student goes home, and enters the tavern on the way, where he meets Marmeladov, a drunken official. He tells Rodion about his bitter life, that his wife Katerina Ivanovna makes his daughter Sonia go to the panel to cope with poverty. With a description of the living conditions and appearance of the protagonist, the novel Crime and Punishment begins. Its contents are summarized in this article.
The murder of an old percent-woman
Acquaintance with Marmeladov makes a great impression on Raskolnikov. He was particularly shocked by the story of Sonya, who was forced to become a prostitute in order to save herself and her family from poverty. The next morning he receives a letter from his mother in which she writes about her visit to him with his sister Dunya, who was about to get married. One Luzhin, a prudent and deceitful man, sought out her suitors. Rodion’s mother hopes that her daughter’s fiance will provide funds to restore her son’s studies. Reflecting on the victims of Sonya and Dunya, Rodion is even more strengthened in his desire to kill the old percent-woman in order to rid this world of such a vile person who profits from the misfortunes of other people. The day has come when he fulfills his plan. However, things did not go as he expected. When he hacked the old woman with an ax, her sister Lizaveta returned to the apartment. To get rid of the witness, Raskolnikov also kills her. Then he steals valuable things from the apartment of the dead and hides from the scene of the crime. He hides the stolen and does not dare to use it. The chain of circumstances that led the protagonist to the idea of crime is easily traced in the novel Crime and Punishment. The summary does not allow to convey all the details of this crime.
Rodion suspected of crime
After the perfect murder, Raskolnikov feels sick and broken. His people were not hiding from his feverish condition. He begins to think that everyone around knows about his terrible secret. Rodion goes to the investigator Porfiry Petrovich then, in order to allegedly find out the fate of his valuables held by the old woman. In fact, he hopes to ward off suspicion from himself. An experienced investigator quickly realizes that he is now facing the murderer of old women, but he can’t prove anything. The main character's understanding of his terrible act is colorfully conveyed by the author in the novel Crime and Punishment. Summary does not fully convey the torment and mental anguish of Rodion Raskolnikov.
Marmeladov’s death and Raskolnikov’s acquaintance with Sonya and Katerina Ivanovna
Wandering around St. Petersburg, our hero reflects on whether he did the right thing and committed the murder. At this time, a tragedy occurs on the road - a carriage moves over a person who receives terrible injuries. It turns out Marmeladov. Rodion hurries to the rescue and gives his last money to the doctor for a drunken officer. However, this can no longer help Marmeladov, and he soon dies. In the house of a former official, he meets his daughter Sonechka and his wife Katerina Ivanovna. The decline of moral and family values can be traced in the novel Crime and Punishment, whose heroes are rejected by society. Acquaintance of the protagonist with Sonya is his hope for a brighter future, for understanding on her part and reconciliation with people around him.
Raskolnikov confesses to Sonya murder
Rodion feels lonely among people. His soul yearns for understanding. In the hope of this, he draws close to Sonechka Marmeladova. It seems to him that it was she, who, like him, who violated the law and corrected moral human principles, was able to understand him. Raskolnikov confesses to her in the murder of old women. Sonya assures him that he must surrender and be punished to atone for this grave sin. Indeed, in this murder an innocent man confessed - painter Mikolka. However, the young man does not agree with her. He hopes to "fight". Having come to his home, he finds there Porfiry Petrovich, who came to convince the criminal to confess to the police. Before going on this, Rodion says goodbye to his family and Sonechka. He makes an official statement to the police. Raskolnikov sent to hard labor in Siberia. Sonya settles down next to him. Gradually, the killer becomes convinced that the crime is a great sin, and it must be atoned for. Rodion picks up the gospel.
This episode ends with the author of the novel Crime and Punishment. The summary of the work cannot convey the full depth and significance of the events taking place in it. Therefore, it is worth reading it in the original.