1. Crime and Punishment
Fyodor Dostoevsky

2. Stats Originally published in 1866
12 installments in The Russian Messenger
Later published in a single volume
Dostoevsky’s 2nd full length novel post-exile (“mature period”)

3. Is murder permissible in pursuit of a higher purpose?
Novel focuses on guilt and moral ambiguity of the protagonist
An ex-student kills a pawnbroker for her money
to use money to help others
to rid the world of a parasite on society
His theory
Some people are naturally equipped to fix society, and therefore have a right to do so

4. Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov
Protagonist
Third person omniscient
Radical in its time
Puts the reader close to Raskolnikov
Raskol = schism or split
“raskolnik” is “one who splits” or “dissenter”
the verb “raskalyvat” means “to cleave”, “to chop”, “to crack”, “to split” or “to break”
Also suggests “rascal”

5. Sofia Semyonovna Marmeladova
AKA Sonia or Sonya and Sonechka
Daughter of Semyon Zakharovich Marmeladov, a drunk
Prostitute (a “soiled dove” or “hooker with a heart of gold”)
Moral foil for Raskolnikov
Source of strength and rehabilitation for him

6. Porfiry Petrovich
Detective in charge of Lizaveta and Alyona Ivanova’s murders
Like Sonia, moves R. toward confession through psychological games
Convinced of R.’s guilt, but has no concrete evidence
Name suggests the Neo-Platonic philosopher
Also means “purple”, or “purple cloak”

7. Dmitri Prokofich Razumikhin
“Razum” = reason, rationalism, intelligence
Raskolnikov’s best friend
Represents conflict between faith and reason
Interested in R.’s sister, Dunya

8. Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikova
R.’s sister, AKA Dounia, Dunya, or Dunechka
Former nanny to Svidrigailov’s children; forced out by rumors
Engaged to marry Luzhin
R. does not approve of the marriage
Stalked by Svidrigailov, who wants to blackmail her into marriage
Interested in Razumikhin

9. Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin
“luzha” means “puddle”
Offers to marry Dunya
Only interested because she is destitute and good looking
Wants her to be utterly dependent upon him financially
Attempts to frame Sonya
Lebezyatnikov, his roommate, foils plan

10. Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov
The Bad Guy (main antagonist)
Pervert, murderer, petty criminal, blackmailer
Mirror of Raskolikov
Causes Raskolinikov family destitution
Commits random acts of kindness
Loves Dunya

11. The Victims Alyona Ivanovna: mean, old pawnbroker
Hoards money
Societal leech/ parasite
Lizavetta Ivanovna: Alyona’s handicapped sister
Innocent; not R.’s intended target

12. Other Victims (?) Katerina Ivanovna Marmeladova Nikolai Dementiev
Marmeladov’s consumptive wife
Mother to Polina/Polechka
Stepmother to Sonia
Nikolai Dementiev
Demented painter who confesses to R.’s crime
Pulkheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikova
R.’s clueless mother, blinded to and by reality
Praskovya Pavlovna Zarnitsyn and Nastasya Petrovna
R.’s landlady and her servant

13. What’s in a Name? Raskolnikov Raskol Schism; dissenter Luzhin Luzha
Russian
Meaning
Raskolnikov
Raskol
Schism; dissenter
Luzhin
Luzha
Puddle
Razumikhin
Razhum
Reason; mind
Zamyotov
Zametit
To notice
Lebezyatnikov
Lebezit
To fawn or to cringe
Marmeladov
Marmelad
Marmelade or jelly
Svidrigailov
Svidrigailo
15th cent. Lithuanian Duke
Porphiry Petrovich
Porphyry
Neo-platonist philosopher

14. Themes
The freedoms offered by Rationalism and Utilitarianism are a perpetual revolt against God, society, and the self.
Western ideas will lead to the decline of Russian civilization.
In short, “Russian Nihilism” is bad.

15. Symbols to Talk About Dreams The Cross Saint Petersburg
The horse dream
The Cross
A cross to bear
Bearing the cross together
Saint Petersburg
City as symbol of R.’s moral decay

16. Structure and Symmetry
Six parts and an epilogue
Parts I-III deal with R.’s rationalist pride, IV-VI deal with his irrational humility
Odd parts deal with R.’s relationship with family (mother, sister, mother-surrogate) while even parts deal with R.’s relationship with the state
Crime and Punishment :: Greek tragedy and Christian redemption tale