Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky | Part 1, Chapters 3–4

Course Hero Literature Instructor Russell Jaffe provides an in-depth summary and analysis of Part 1, Chapters 3–4 of Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment.


Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoevsky's canonical exploration of the ramifications of a single immoral act, traces the tale of Raskolnikov, a down-and-out law student who decides to commit a murder.

Justifying his fatal attack on a pawnbroker by citing her immorality and the financial benefit of robbing her, Raskolnikov nonetheless descends into a spiral of guilt and must ultimately come to terms with his crime.

Many of the characters also embody both virtue and vice, leaning toward one or the other as the situation dictates.

Believing even a murderer has the potential to be a productive member of society, Porfiry presents a path to redemption. Sonia represents a path to confession and forgiveness; her compassion speaks to the importance of all humanity.

Set in an era of conflict between religious and secular morality, this parable provides harrowing psychological insight into the consequences of moral relativism.

Russian writer Dostoevsky is widely considered to be one of the great psychological novelists. In Crime and Punishment, first published in 1866, he explores anguish, analyzes human dilemmas, and examines the struggle between harsh social realities and religious belief. As a young man, Dostoevsky belonged to a radical socialist group, but in prison he returned to Christianity.

The drama contains many enduring themes, including the conflict between "rational" concepts of morality and religious morality; suffering, and whether it is necessary for redemption; and alienation, as isolation from society can breed unstable thoughts. Important symbols include Napoleon as the “exceptional man,” Sonia’s cross, and Raskolnikov's garret.


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[gxlxn]

Alright thank you for posting these clips, cuz when I finish one or two chapters I come here to be sure if I understand everything right, and if I didn't fully understand I will read the pages again!Life saver!

[kathleenmorales]

I come here to try to figure out how in the hell to pronounce any of these names 😭

[griffenchesnut]

I love this series and I love this book. Thank you for this!!!

[Dean.winwin]

First of all can you calm down ? Second of all his mother sent one letter where she tells the situation how it is and shows great expectations in him and puts a lot of pressure on him while his sister doesn't want to worry him and sends a normal letter . This is crucial for the fact that acording to Sigmund Freud ( real life psychoanalyst ) Raskolnikovs hate for his mother ( he hates her for how she told everything in the letter, how his sister is marrying someone problematic for Raskolnikov, the pressure and expectations she puts on him instead of doing what his sister does ( write a normal letter in order to not worry Raskolnikov ) ) transvers to the old lady .