The Role of Morality and Justice in Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1866)

Expanding the Roles:
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a psychological novel that follows Rodion Raskolnikov, a young man who commits murder and grapples with the moral and psychological consequences of his crime. The novel explores themes of guilt, morality, justice, and the possibility of redemption. For literature students, Crime and Punishment offers a profound exploration of the nature of crime and punishment and the complex relationship between individual conscience and societal law.

• Guilt and the Moral Struggle:
  Raskolnikov’s internal conflict is central to the novel, as he struggles with the guilt of his crime. Students can explore how Dostoevsky examines the psychological effects of guilt and the moral consequences of actions, and how Raskolnikov’s journey reflects the universal human struggle with conscience.

• Justice and Redemption:
  The novel examines the question of justice, both in the legal sense and in terms of personal morality. Students can analyze how Dostoevsky contrasts secular and spiritual forms of justice and how Raskolnikov’s path toward redemption challenges the traditional views of guilt and punishment.

What We Learn:
Crime and Punishment provides literature students with valuable insights into the nature of morality, guilt, and justice. The novel serves as an essential text for understanding the psychological and philosophical dimensions of crime and redemption.