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>.
