Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky | Epilogue, Parts 1–2

Course Hero Literature Instructor Russell Jaffe provides an in-depth summary and analysis of the Epilogue, Parts 1–2 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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[lipikax]

"Life was prized more in prison than in liberty" great book.

[yuliaratnasari]

Thank you Russel for your great effort! Totally enjoy watching your spirit till the end of the story.

[handsomeawkward]

I followed along with your videos after I finished reading each chapter. Thank you very much for the chapter recaps. They helped me out a lot.

[mouadlahjiri]

I congratulate anyone who made it this far and finished this piece of art, as long as people read it, it will never die, as readers it's a heritage and we shall carry it from generation to another for it's our duty, And it lives through us.
This work of literature inspired me to start my novel and I'm sure that I'll live through it as long as people read it or would they?.

[mrtharun]

Thanks Russell... This is the first ever Russiam novel I have read... Ur videos helped me a lot to make a match with my understanding to the chapters..

[abrahamanthony]

The power of true love can do anything....imagine if there was no character called sonia then what would would have happened to the Rodion

[Asadyyy]

I just finished the book and you seriously made it so much better and easy for me💯

[welcometowalmart]

It took me 6 months to finish this book, I had fun but man I'm glad it's over lolol

[anderzyeti]

This book is so good I’m glad I read it

[adi-jegu]

thank you so much for your videos, they helped a lot !!

[altgirlpapi]

Let's be honest, the real hero of this story was the prison guard who turned his back when Sonya came to visit Raskolnikov by the river bank....

[snehilkashyap]

Can anyone tell who died in this video plzz