Crime and Punishment: Personal Reflection

Dostoevesky's Crime and Punishment is unlike anything I've ever read. I'm a seventeen year old, if it had not been for this ENG3U class, there is a good chance I would have never read this novel. But, I now know that would have been a mistake. Crime and Punishment challenged me, in more ways than one. The first way it challenged me was the way it was written in. It wasn't difficult in the thick way Shakespeare is difficult, it was difficult because it seemed every page had two or three words I had to look the meaning up of, and then go back and read those pages again to really understand what happened in what I just read. Another way this novel challenged me was the content, and the story. I chose this novel because of the title. When I looked up what this novel was about I knew it was something I would like to read. But, what I didn't know is how far Crime and Punishment would push me. Dostoevesky made Crime and Punishment relateable so it got very difficult to keep reading because first of all I felt like Rasknolikov could be anyone I know, and second because I just knew what was going to happen, and it wasn't good. The third way this novel challenged me was just getting through the long chapters. I found it difficult to keep my focus on what was happening in some chapters because I wanted to find out what was going to happen next, and some exciting parts were followed by the rest of the chapter which wasn't as exciting, and made it difficult to not skip ahead to find out what was going to happen. But, with all of that said, I know I have gained a lot since reading this book. I already said I probably wouldn't have read this book had it not been for English class, but I would have missed on a major part of literature, as well as a rich learning experience. Crime and Punishment made me think about the story, to the point where I would have to read sections two or three times to get an understanding of what was happening. That has helped broaden my horizons when it comes to literature as well. Now, having read  Crime and  Punishment I won't be as hesitant to pick up another novel like this one.

Having a public audience didn't affect my writing at all. I wrote the same way I would have if I would have had to write every blog entry down and hand in a hard copy. My blog is out there to read, and I wasn't going to change the way I write, or what I write because a wider audience may, or may not see it. 

More than ever, from reading Crime and Punishment I have learned the old cliché holds true: we are only human. Raskolnikov was pushed to edge, and he reacted in an outrageous way. We as humans can only take so much. The nature vs nurture debate comes into play here. Although both sides of that argument have an effect on human development the nurture side has a bigger impact on a person and that is made obvious in Crime and Punishment. Reading this novel also showed me everyone needs to crucial things in their life: stability and security. Rasknolikov had neither one of these things which I know contributed to the person he was/became in the story. To most Canadians stability and security are taken for granted, but to someone who doesn't know the meaning of either those missing components are detrimental.

As a reader, I've learned I have to be patient with myself. It really irritated me when I didn't know the meanings of so many different words, but in all fairness to myself, if I'd never seen them before, I don't know how I was supposed to know what they meant. I also learned to be a little more open minded. Not to judge a book by it's cover because sometimes you'll be surprised,  because even though I thought I would like this novel, I didn't think I'd like it as much as I do. Overall, I learned books like Crime and Punishment are classics for a reason, and they're all worth a shot, and if I took the time to sit down and read them, I'd grow as a student, and expand my knowledge to make myself a better learner. 

Crime and Punishment: The Classic Essay

Kelsey Robinson

ENG 3U

Mr. Linley

18 May 2012

The Classic Novel

     What makes a classic novel, a classic novel? The author? The setting? The plot? The

theme(s)? The truth is, it is a combination of these topics. One of the most important aspects that make a

classic novel a classic is a timeless theme or themes- something that will always be relevant, and interesting for

people to read. After a timeless theme(s), a relatable main character is crucial. People like to be able to

identify with characters, and their situations, it makes the story more believable for the reader as well as

providing a better reading experience for the reader. The final thing that makes a novel a classic: longevity. If a

story has class, and stands out from stories before, and after it was written will definitely make it a classic.

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevesky fits that criteria, therefore making it a classic novel.

From the very beginning pages of Crime and Punishment a major theme is immediately introduced. That

theme is poverty. The protagonist, Raskolnikov, lives in Russia, in the 1800s in what I pictured as a black

hole. He lives in extreme poverty, although he a very intelligent man. He could be described as a gutter rat to

really understand the poverty he is immersed in. Poverty today, exists all over the world, but in places in

central, and south eastern countries in Africa (Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, and Liberia) would be

comparable to the poverty described in Crime and Punishment. A universal theme, like poverty is timeless. It

will always be relevant in the world, and when put into a media text like a novel, could really make readers

aware of what severe poverty is really like.

When watching a film, reading a novel, listening to music, a large part of the attraction to the specific

media is if the audience can relate to what they are engaging in. Rasknolikov is an intelligent man who was a

student, and is now living in destitute. This happens to people all the time in reality. A specific example of this

would be musicians. Often times a musician struggles a great deal in their career, not because they are not

good at their craft, because times are tough. For Rasknolikov, times are tough too. He’s living in a world

where the streets are dirty, unsafe, people will beat family members so they will beg for money, and

prostitutes fill the streets just to make ends meet. (Dostoevesky 1,20,24-26) When reading this, people can

really relate. Maybe not to the extent they are reading but definitely in the way of not being able to make ends

meet, and struggling as most people will say now, inflation is making is difficult to make ends meet.  Readers

are also able to connect with Raskolnikov on a more emotional level as well. Rasknolikov is very separated

from society: “What was taking place in him was totally unfamiliar, new, sudden, never before experienced.

Not that he understood it, but he sensed clearly, with all the power of sensation, that it was no longer possible

for him to address these people in the police station, not only with heartfelt effusions, as he had just done, but

in any way at all, and had they been his own brothers and sisters, and not police lieutenants, there would still

have been no point in this addressing them, in whatever circumstances of life.” (Dostoevesky, 100). Here,

Rasknolikov has realized he is alienated from society, and in that he has these feelings of self hatred laced in

with this. This is relatable because everyone has felt alone in life before, but because Rasknolikov is sick, it’s

different for him. He can not get back to the real world.

Crime and Punishment was first published in 1806, that’s over 200 years ago. It was also originally

printed in Russian as well. For a novel to last more than 200 years, and be published out of it’s original

language for that long as well clearly is different than other novels written at the time, or even novels written

today. It is story that has been read, and reread for years, and this is because it’s an interesting story. It keeps

readers thinking, and on their toes the whole time they are reading.  Since the book was published, it has

always been popular, but has always had different reactions among readers. Dostoevesky wrote Crime and

Punishment when he was at a difficult time in his own life (much like Raskolnikov). He was tight on money,

and had to meet monthly deadlines for Crime and Punishment. Dostoevesky, at the same time was writing

another novel for a man by the name of Stellovsky, in exchange for borrowing money. If Dostoecesky did not

have his second novel finished in a 10 month time frame, Stellovsky would own the rights to his works for 10

years after. When Dostoevesky was creating Raskolikov, he was really a reflection of what was happening in

his own life: “Raskolnikov was crushed by poverty, but the anxieties of his position had of late ceased to

weigh upon him.” (Dostoevesky, 3)This quote shows how Rasknolikov is suffering- suffering in poverty and

suffering from an evil thought that will not leave him alone.  Crime and Punishment requires an attentive reader

to fully understand the mechanics of Dostoevesky’s masterpiece. These aspects contribute to the longevity of

this novel. The element that makes people want to keep reading Crime and Punishment , the element that puts

it in the “classic novel” category.

In closing, Dostoevesky’s Crime and Punishment is a novel for the ages. It’s a believable story with a

relevant theme, a relatable main character, and the crucial element of longevity. It’s a story that requires an

attentive reader to fully understand what Fyodor Dostoevesky was trying to accomplish. All of those qualities

put together make Crime and Punishment a prime example of a classic novel.

Bibliography

"Crime and Punishment Suffering Quotes Page 1." Shmoop: Homework Help, Teacher Resources, Test Prep.    N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://www.shmoop.com/crime-and-punishment/suffering-quotes.html>.

"Crime and Punishment and Poverty Essay | Crime and Punishment and Poverty | BookRags.com." BookRags.com | Study Guides, Lesson Plans, Book Summaries and more. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2005/11/21/194045/15>.
"Definition for classic - Oxford Dictionaries Online (World English)." Oxford Dictionaries Online. Oxford University Press, n.d. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/classic>.
"Top Ten Poorest Countries." World Map, City Maps, Country Maps, Flags & Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/world-top-ten-poorest-countries-map.html>.

Pause & Post #4:Nature vs. Nurture in Classic Literature

I realize I've already talked about a them in Crime and Punishment, and within the whole book, there are many themes. I've discovered the overall them of the book, and I think it's important, so I chose to write about it. 

In the previous post, I asked if because Rasnolikov was a good man, did it make him bad because he was capable of bad things. This... This is the underlying theme in Crime and Punishment, what makes a person good? What makes them bad? And then to go further, why are they good, or why are they bad? It comes down to the nature vs nurture debate in the social sciences. Were people born they way they become, or is how they become because of the environment they grew up in?

This debate interests me greatly, and I love that I can compare it to this piece of literature.

Like I've said in previous posts, Raskolnikov lives in Russia, in serious poverty, there's a possibility  he grew up that way as well. 

I have read, the more poverty there is, the more likely there is to be crime. This is proven twice in this novel: when Raskolnikov murders Alyona Ivanova and when Marmeladov gets run over by the carriage. This would indicate the nurture side of the debate is true. 
All of these aspects of the novel (theme, point of view, character and etc) are what make his piece of literature. Talking about things that will never become outdated, or readers won't like to or will stop reading about. Something like point of view is what keeps the readers interested, why they keep reading. The themes like poverty, the nature vs nurture debate, and characters like Rasknolikov and more controversial characters like Luhzin, add to the point of view- they make up the story. All of those things combined makes a timeless story- something that will never get old. Possibly just modernized as time goes on, but will always be relevant.  

Pause & Post #3: Split Personality Disorder

In both posts before this one, I've said in some way Crime and Punishment is unlike any book I've ever read. And, I'm going to say it again. The plot of the book is very similar to popular series' today like CSI and Criminal Minds where someone is plotting to commit a crime (ie. a murder). In those shows, the protagonist(s), and antagonist(s) are very clear. From the beginning, as the reader, I knew Raskolnikov was the protagonist but what I didn't know he would also be the antagonist. 
Throughout the story, Raskolnikov fights this inner demon inside him. He talks to himself, and when he's thinking about murdering the pawn lady, it's almost like he's refereeing himself. He's his own enemy. He can't stop these thoughts or his murderous actions.
As I discovered this about Rasknolkov I found myself wondering if he had split personality disorder. Split personality disorder is a mental illness where people experience two (or more) different states of personality. What this means for Raskolnikov is he has the self you're introduced to at the beginning of the book, the intelligent university grad, who also lives in poverty. Later we see our protagonist talking to himself.. Which leads to...
Ones of the causes of this mental illness that I think is most is prominent in our protagonist/antagonist is stress. Rasknolikov lives in St. Petersburg, Russia where he is very poor, his mother had written him a letter saying his sister was getting married (which is disapproved of), his friend was hit and killed by a carriage, and he has little food to eat, but drinks vodka all the time. 
People with split personality disorder can have more than one other personality, but Rasknolikov  only has the one, but no matter if you have one or ten more personalities, the other 
personalit(y)(ies) is/are bad-evil. This clear is Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov is a good person, he's intelligent and handsome, but he showed he was capable of murder. Because he was capable of murder does that make him a bad person? Or can he still be thought of as a good person?

Pause & Post #2: Point of View

Crime and Punishment is unlike any book I've ever read before. I can honestly say, if it weren't for this assignment, I probably wouldn't have even known the book existed, let alone read it. As I was reading I couldn't help but wonder what point of view the book was written from... After thinking about it I came to the conclusion Crime and Punishment is written from a third person omniscient point of view. "Why am I to be pitied, you say? Yes! There's nothing to pity me for! I ought to be crucified, crucified on a cross, not pitied! Crucify me, oh judge, crucify me but pity me?" Third person omniscient point of view means the narrator does not participate as one of the characters, but as the reader, we know exactly how the characters are feeling. 
As  a reader, I'm finding this very effective to tell the Raskolnikov's story. This way of writing allows for the story to be told in full, and also, get Raskolnikov's very important thoughts in to further the story. "Oh, God, how loathsome this all is? And can it be, can it be that I...no, it's nonsense, it's it's absurd! Could such horror really come into my head? But then, what filth my heart is capable of!...Above all, filthy, nasty, vile, vile!"  
If the story was not written from this point of view, I do not think the book would be as good of a read. This point of view reveals so much both about the story and itself, and it's characters, it's a crucial part to the story. If the point of view changed at all, I think the story would lose what makes the story so good (in the places where the point of view is changed) and the reader would lose or not pick up important points the author is trying to get across. For example, when Rasckolnikov finds out his sister is getting married, he is furious because neither his mother or his sister consulted him first. If I would have read this from (for example) Raskolnikov's mother, when she was writing this letter to him, telling him these things, I wouldn't have even know how he was going to act, except possibly the reaction his mother thought he might have. This would be a very important  point to miss because it adds to Raskolnikov's character. 
In my opinion, the point of view aids the story in a great way, and really opens the book to its readers. 

Pause and Post #1:Character

When I chose Crime and Punishment to read, I had done a little research first. I am an  fan of murder mystery type of media, so this book seemed like it would be something I would be interested in. The book started the way I expected, but as I continued to read became different than what I had expected.
In the beginning pages, Dostoevsky talks about this man who is engulfed in the clutches of severe poverty. He does so, in a very melancholy, low key way. "As for the landlady, from whom he rented this closet with dinner and maid service included, she lived one flight below, in separate rooms, and every time he went out he could not fail to pass the landlady's kitchen, the door of which almost always stood wide open to the stairs. And each time he passed by, the young man felt some painful and cowardly sensation, which made him wince with shame. He was over his head in debt to the landlady and was afraid of meeting her." 
For me reading this book, being a teenager growing up, and living in Canada, I don't think I can fully comprehend the kind of poverty Dostoevsky is describing. Canada is a natural resource rich, and (generally) a financially stable country. Recently, we've experienced  a recession, but for me personally, I wasn't really affected. In Canada, most people don't know what poverty is. Of course poverty exists, but most of us don't truly understand what it is to live in poverty-literally having nothing. So in order for me to honestly relate to what I am reading, I'd have to experience it, otherwise it would be a biased opinion of what I think living in poverty is like.

Welcome!

Welcome to my ENG3U blog for my classic novel study on Crime and Punishment by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky! In the explanation of this novel study we are told the purpose of this project is "to read, think, and write independently in order to communicate a critical understanding of a work of long fiction". What that really means to to read a book we normally wouldn't, understand the book, and think about the book in an intelligent manner. Over the next few months I will be analyzing, and thinking outside the box to deepen my understanding and appreciation for classic literature.
This book is going to be quite interesting I think. Not interesting in a factual way, but interesting in the story is going to take my reading in directions I do not expect.  When doing research into which book I was going to choose, as soon as I came to this one, bells and whistles went off loud and clear. I'm very into romance, but also mysteries, and crimes. Crime and Punishment caught my attention when I read it had a main character with a possible psychotic problem, a murder, and looked a little bit into Russia during the time it was set. It all sounded really good to me- something to keep me on my toes when I'm reading.
Having said that, I think the genre is easy to pick out. Crime and Punishment is definitely a suspense novel. As I'm reading, I keep wondering what is going to happen next.. Not because anything big has happened yet, just because I feel like if I don't think like that I am going to be caught off guard. Already, just in the beginning pages, I'm wondering, and considering what is going to happen.. What could happen.. I have a feeling that I am going to be feeling to be feeling this way until the final page. 
Follow my blog to learn about Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment!