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Mahmoud Al-Qudsi
Mister Meyers
English 252
10 October 2003
Not all the greatest literary works can be expected to come from the same
language, culture, or origin. However, there is no ideal way to judge the ranking of a
novel after translation, for many of its previous linguistic implications and references re
then lost. If a book, even after translation is considered a great masterpiece, then it is
most definitely worth some attention. Fyodor Dostoevsky uses literary themes in
coordination with a plot based on his own experiences, reflecting the very thoughts and
circumstances, and with a harsh childhood due to conflicts between his loving mother and
demanding father, he became an extra-ordinary man. His mother died when he was only
15, and his father was murdered the following year. He lived his life in sadness, but soon
rose to considerable fame in the Russian Army, but that also was not to last.
He was soon accused of plotting against the nation on April 22, 1849, as a part of
a group publishing satirical writings expressing their negative outlook regarding the
control of the Russian tsar, and the state of the poor. He was sentenced to death, but later
exiled to Siberia. There he considered himself a poor educated man, and faced great
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discrimination because of it. Upon his return, he began publishing some of his more
In Crime and Punishment, the main character “Rodya” is a poor educated man,
who resolves to change his life and his condition for the better. He murders a local
pawnbroker, and steals her money and goods, but his heart stops him from benefiting
from the spoils of his crime. He covers his tracks well, and evades the officials, but in the
end, after much mental self-torture, he decides that any punishment sent upon him would
be more merciful than guilt, and confesses, and is thus exiled to Siberia.
like his own: Sonia, a prostitute; Marmeladov, a drunken official who understands things
in a light that Rodya would soon come to share, and his own sister Doubia, who helps
him realize his mistakes and their effects. He comes to see that right and wrong are
These dominating aspects of his life were largely symbolized in his writings. The
religious fanaticism his father and grandfather had, and his hateful disposition towards
them was shown to a great extent when Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikov, the
protagonist of the story, expressed his irritation at the discussion of religion, even with
Sonia, and his sister Avodtya Romanovna Raskolnikov, or Dounia. The unconditional
love of Dostoevsky‟s mother towards him was very palpable in the relationship between
The most important similarities between Dostoevsky's life and that of „Rodya,‟ lie
in the portrayal of the Russian hierarchical system, and the way both characters act in
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response to their “criminal” actions. The very essence of the events committed by both
are akin, with both of them classifying their actions a benefit to humanity and a must, and
society as a whole (with the exception of several close friends and associates) identifying
When Rodya killed Elena Ivanova, he said he done no more than end the troubles
a “louse” had brought to the poor, and had stopped her plans to take advantage of the
poverty found in St. Petersburg. In relation, Dostoevsky and his associates were planning
on, or were at least accused of, planning to murder tsar Nicholas, which they viewed as
/~karamazo/).
transgressions also shows another side of the judicial system in almost all nations, in
which it is shown that laws cannot be fair to all people at all times, and please everyone.
Dostoevsky attracts the attention of readers with his references to controversial topics
throughout history that were not limited to any certain eras, and are constantly a part of
life. He shows the law as being oriented towards the rich upper class, which then rules
and judges the lower class according to their standards, not understanding that there
might be reasons behind the seemingly unreasonable actions. This theme in his writing
To the other readers, there are many other themes that Dostoevsky placed in his
novel; one which is the issue of feminine equality, expressed when Rodya raised the
question of why his mother was willing to sacrifice his sister, her love life, and her
individuality just to ensure that Rodya would remain as happy as possible: “But my
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mother? It‟s all Rodya, precious Rodya, her first born! For such a son who would not
sacrifice such a daughter! Oh, loving, son who would not sacrifice such a daughter! Oh,
loving, even from Sonia‟s fate.” It was also mentioned in passing throughout the novel,
A religious theme is also present in his work, brought out of Dostoevsky‟s own
experiences while in Siberia. He had been attacked once on a suspicion of his not being a
believer in God, and the mob would not leave him until he convinced them that he always
had, and always will. In the story, there is a religious awakening within Rodya: earlier on,
he is completely oblivious of any real religion, but at the end of the novel, he kisses filthy
dirt, and wears a cross to show his devotion to god, and fully expects him to have mercy.
The last literary theme of great importance is the classification and importance of
remarks on the position of knowledge in poverty, and explains that poverty is not a vice
unless its possessor makes it become one, by not acquiring knowledge. Also on numerous
collaboration with Rodya to show that he is special because of his knowledge, even if he
was poor.
The largest literary aspect found in the novel is the symbolical metaphor, set up
from the beginning of the book to its end, and what it represents. Dostoevsky sets up the
story to match his own life, even going as far as observing proper chronological order of
the events that occurred (i.e. separation of family, followed by an active life of „crime‟
and then exile, etc.). Dostoevsky's life in turn is a microcosm of the entire political
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system in the world; and shows how people act in response to the regulations set by the
law. In this manner, Dostoevsky cleverly sets up an enormous metaphor of the entire
Fyodor Dostoevsky created this “epic novel” based on his own experiences, and
attached to it several literary themes that made it hard for most readers to resist. He used
his novels as a form of rebellion, and with them, he showed many people that a change
was necessary in the government. Crime and Punishment clearly summarizes the
highlights of his life, and the main goals that Dostoevsky strove hard to achieve. He also
showed that educated men in poverty have been punished by their hierarchical position,
Works Cited
<http://www-ed.fnal.gov/samplers/hsphys/people/lederman.html>.