Plot Summary
Rodion Raskolnikov, a former law student turned journalist, lives in a small, squalid room in St. Petersburg. Consumed by poverty and despair, he develops a disturbing theory justifying murder. He believes extraordinary individuals, like himself, are above societal norms and can commit crimes to achieve a higher purpose. Fixated on this twisted idea, he targets Alyona Ivanovna, a greedy and cruel pawnbroker, planning to steal her wealth to elevate himself and his family.
Despite his initial hesitation, Raskolnikov visits Alyona's apartment under the pretense of pawning a watch. However, he hesitates at the last moment, unable to bring himself to commit the act. Yet, the seed of the crime has been planted. He wrestles with his conscience, his morbid thoughts fueled by his poverty and the societal injustices he witnesses around him, like the desperation of Marmeladov, a chronic alcoholic who has recently squandered his family's meager savings. Marmeladov's daughter, Sonya, has turned to prostitution to support her family. Her plight deeply affects Raskolnikov, as he sees it as a reflection of his own despair and the desperate measures people resort to in a world that offers few opportunities.
A letter from his mother arrives, detailing the hardships his sister Dunya faces as a governess. Her employer, Svidrigailov, has become increasingly troublesome, pressuring Dunya with unwanted advances. To escape this situation and support her brother, Dunya is reluctantly marrying a wealthy but self-serving suitor named Luzhin. Raskolnikov sees his sister's sacrifice as a forced decision, akin to Sonya's, further fueling his resentment and strengthening his resolve to carry out the crime.
Driven by a twisted sense of justification and a desperate need for money, Raskolnikov returns to Alyona's apartment, armed with an ax. He murders the pawnbroker in a fit of rage and panic. However, in a tragic turn of events, Lizaveta, Alyona's unsuspecting half-sister, walks in on the scene. Unable to leave a witness, Raskolnikov is forced to kill her as well. Wracked with guilt and paranoia, he flees back to his room, carrying the stolen money and the burden of his crimes. His mental state causes him to fall ill. Upon waking up, Raskolnikov realizes that his university friend, Razumikhin, has been tending to him. Meanwhile, Raskolnikov witnesses Marmeladov meeting with an accident; just before his death, Marmeladov seeks forgiveness from Sonya. In pain, Raskolnikov gives Katerina, Marmeladov’s consumptive widow, 25 rubles on the pretext of repaying a loan.
News of the murders spreads like wildfire, creating panic and suspicion within the city. Raskolnikov becomes increasingly withdrawn and erratic, constantly on edge, fearing discovery. He isolates himself from his friends and family, unable to confide in anyone about his horrifying secret. Meanwhile, the shrewd investigator, Porfiry Petrovich, begins to suspect Raskolnikov. Porfiry, a keen observer of human behavior, uses psychological tactics and subtle clues to subtly probe Raskolnikov's mental state and test his alibis, gradually closing in on him.
Svidrigailov, despite claiming to not be interested in Dunya romantically, offers her 10,000 rubles so she doesn’t have to marry Luzhin. Raskolnikov declines the money on her behalf. Svidrigailov also reveals that his deceased wife had left 3000 rubles to Dunya. Dunya’s suitor Luzhin’s true character comes to the fore, and she asks him to leave and never come back. As the siblings excitedly discuss which business to start with the just-inherited money, Raskolnikov suddenly walks out and says he doesn’t want to see anyone again.
Raskolnikov attends Marmeladov’s post-funeral banquet, where he witnesses Luzhin falsely accusing Sonya of stealing some money and the mentally unstable Katerina Ivanova getting thrown out of her house. Katerina dies of illness, and Svidrigailov promises to take care of the funeral and the upbringing of Katerina’s children with the 10,000 rubles he had offered Dunya.
Raskolnikov's mental and emotional state deteriorates as his guilt consumes him. He experiences feverish nightmares, hallucinations, and bouts of delirium. He seeks solace in conversations with Sonya, who, despite not knowing his crimes, senses his inner turmoil and offers him support and compassion. Sonya reveals that the murdered Lizaveta is her friend, and Raskolnikov tells her that she’ll one day know about the killer. Through Sonya, Raskolnikov is also exposed to the teachings of Christian faith, a concept he initially rejects but which gradually begins to chip away at his hardened exterior.
As the pressure mounts and Porfiry's investigation tightens, Raskolnikov reaches a breaking point. He confesses his crimes to Sonya, seeking her understanding and forgiveness. Torn between loyalty and the need for justice, Sonya urges him to confess to the authorities and accept his punishment. Overcome by the weight of his guilt and the desire for redemption, Raskolnikov surrenders to the police. He is found guilty of murder and sentenced to eight years of hard labor in Siberia. Sonya, driven by unwavering love and faith, decides to follow him to Siberia, offering him emotional support and hope for redemption.
In Siberia, Raskolnikov initially remains isolated and filled with self-loathing. He struggles with his pride and resists any form of repentance. However, through prolonged suffering, introspection, and Sonya's unwavering love and faith, a glimmer of hope emerges. He begins to read the Gospel, a gift from Sonya, hinting at a potential shift in his worldview and a possibility of embracing faith and remorse.
