Setting

Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment takes place in mid-19th century Russia, specifically in the capital city of Saint Petersburg. The novel is set against the backdrop of the social and political upheaval of 1860s Russia, as the country was grappling with rapid modernization and Western influences. This era saw the emancipation of the serfs and the rise of radical political ideologies, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and moral questioning that is reflected in the novel's themes.

Saint Petersburg itself plays a crucial role in the story, almost functioning as a character in its own right. Dostoyevsky vividly portrays the city's squalid slums, crowded tenements, and oppressive summer heat. The cramped, stuffy rooms and winding streets mirror the psychological state of the protagonist, Raskolnikov. Key locations include Raskolnikov's tiny attic room, the pawnbroker's apartment where the murders take place, and various taverns and public spaces where characters interact.

Within this urban landscape, Dostoyevsky explores the stark contrasts between rich and poor. The novel moves between impoverished neighborhoods where characters struggle to survive and more affluent areas that highlight the social inequalities of the time. This setting provides a fitting backdrop for the moral and philosophical questions at the heart of the story, as Raskolnikov navigates a city that seems to embody the very conflicts tormenting his soul.

Characters

• Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov: The protagonist, a poor former student who commits murder to test his theory that extraordinary people are above moral law. He suffers extreme psychological torment after the crime.

• Sofya Semyonovna Marmeladova (Sonya): A young woman forced into prostitution to support her impoverished family. Deeply religious, she becomes Raskolnikov's love interest and moral guide.

• Porfiry Petrovich: The clever detective in charge of investigating the murders. He engages in psychological duels with Raskolnikov.

• Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikova (Dunya): Raskolnikov's devoted sister. She is initially engaged to Luzhin but later falls in love with Razumikhin.

• Dmitry Prokofich Razumikhin: Raskolnikov's loyal friend and fellow former student. He falls in love with Dunya.

• Arkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov: A depraved former employer of Dunya who pursues her. Complex character capable of both evil and generosity.

• Pyotr Petrovich Luzhin: A wealthy, arrogant man initially engaged to Dunya. His true nature is revealed as selfish and manipulative.

• Semyon Zakharovich Marmeladov: An alcoholic civil servant and Sonya's father. His confession to Raskolnikov early in the novel foreshadows themes of suffering and redemption.

Quick facts

• Crime and Punishment was originally published in 12 monthly installments in a literary journal called The Russian Messenger in 1866.

• Dostoyevsky wrote much of the novel in a state of desperate poverty while living abroad to escape creditors.

• The character of Sonya was partly inspired by Dostoyevsky's future wife, Anna Snitkina, who worked as his stenographer while he was writing the novel.

• Dostoyevsky originally planned for the story to be told from the first-person perspective of the murderer but changed it to third-person omniscient.

• The novel's themes were heavily influenced by Dostoyevsky's own time in Siberian prison camps after being arrested for revolutionary activities.

• Raskolnikov's name comes from the Russian word for “schism,” reflecting the character's internal psychological divide.

• Crime and Punishment is considered one of the first great psychological thrillers in literature.

• Dostoyevsky wrote much of the novel at a frantic pace to meet deadlines, sometimes working for up to 16 hours a day.

• The character of investigator Porfiry Petrovich is considered an early example of the intellectual detective archetype in fiction.

• Despite its dark themes, the novel was an immediate commercial and critical success in Russia upon publication.

About the Author

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881) was one of the most influential Russian novelists of the 19th century. Born in Moscow, he began his literary career in his 20s with the publication of his first novel, Poor Folk. Dostoyevsky's early success was interrupted by his arrest and exile to Siberia for alleged involvement in revolutionary activities. This experience had a profound impact on his worldview and later writings.

Upon returning from exile, Dostoyevsky wrote some of his most acclaimed works, including Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, Demons, and The Brothers Karamazov. His novels are known for their psychological depth, philosophical and religious themes, and vivid portrayals of human suffering and moral dilemmas. He explored complex ideas about free will, morality, and the nature of good and evil through his deeply flawed yet compelling characters. Stylistically, Dostoyevsky was innovative in his use of polyphony—the presence of multiple narrative voices and perspectives within a single work. His writing was often intense and dramatic, with long philosophical discussions interspersed with moments of humor and acute psychological insight.

Dostoyevsky’s works have been translated into more than 170 languages and continue to be widely read and studied today. His penetrating explorations of the human condition ensure his place as one of the towering figures of Russian and world literature.