Crime and Punishment first of the Dostoyevsky Novels I have read. What an experience it was reading the great novel. Flow of
Art is all I can say right from the page1.
It essentially, is
the tale of a person ‘Raskolnikov”, an impoverished ex student who comes to an
understanding that some people are naturally capable of breaking the conventional
societal boundaries in the pursuit of a higher purpose during their time to
grow big and then be idolized by his future generations.
He justifies his action by connecting himself mentally with Napolean. He thereby formulates a plan to kill an unscrupulous pawnbroker for her cash. He argues that he can perform good deeds to counterbalance the crime committed at the same time getting rid of a worthless vermin.
He justifies his action by connecting himself mentally with Napolean. He thereby formulates a plan to kill an unscrupulous pawnbroker for her cash. He argues that he can perform good deeds to counterbalance the crime committed at the same time getting rid of a worthless vermin.
RESULTS: He kills as
per the plan only to realize that he can never be one like Napolean. The mental
anguish, moral dilemma and the guilt he experiences soon after the murder in a
way exposing the punishment he has imposed on himself is beautifully brought
out. Unbearable magnification of the psychological effect by the clever
detective and the soothing effect he receives from a prostitute called Sonyaa,
a Christ like figure for him is a must
read for every book lover.
A beautiful study of unemployment,
poverty and the consequent ‘ideological intoxication’ that go in impoverished
educated youth’s mind. All we can say is Dostoyevsky is a psychologist in Art. In
the novel, dreams and other symbolic statement play a major part in expressing
the psychological trauma experienced by the character. Raskolnikov's dreams
especially (mare being whipped) which gives great insight in to the psyche of the
dreamer are one of the most realistic dreams ever used in fiction or for that
matter I have read. Similarly, Sonya giving a cross in a way to symbolize the
burden he must bear in view of the sin committed is a strong statement that
exemplifies their relationship and the changes that is going to make to him. A
must read is all I can say.
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