Literature Analysis on Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

                                              

     1.Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in past courses.

     The novel starts off with describing the protagonist in a very distinctive hypochondriac state and his environment being a poverty and chaotic city. After his meeting with the wicked pawnbroker all he has in his mind is calculating on murdering and robbing the wicked pawnbroker. For instance, he calculated that there were “exactly seven hundred and thirty” paces from his room to the pawnbroker’s room. As the story continues he contemplates on how and whether he should murder the pawnbroker. He eventually takes action in murdering the pawnbroker; however, his plan goes wrong. Not only did the pawnbroker’s sister appear during the crime scene but the protagonist’s escape plan was not very successful. Fortunately, he barely squeezed by to escape. The protagonist escapes but afterwards he starts to get deliriums and thoughts about the murder. As he continues to meet and help more people throughout the novel there are enemies that suspect him as the murderer. The novel climaxes to the point of him deciding to confess himself as murderer or not. With his life on the line he makes his biggest decision even though he denies his “sin.” As the novel continues to descend the protagonist starts to balance himself by accepting his sin and finding his redemption.

2.Succinctly describe the theme of the novel.

Throughout this novel there are many themes the author throws at the readers. For every thought and action a character does takes part of a different theme. I believe the theme that is shown throughout this novel is there are some sins you commit that you cannot come back from. The theme is mainly shown through the protagonist who commits a deadly sin of murdering. Even though the protagonist denies his sin and believes he did the best for humanity just like Napoleon Bonaparte his sin eventually catch up to him. He cannot come back from his sin but eventually face it with punishment.

3.Why did you choose this book?

I chose this book not only because I had to choose one for this assignment but the title appealed to me the very first time I saw it. It caught my attention very much after I read a quick summary about it online. It interested me even more when it mentioned about a man’s deliriums, thoughts, actions, and how this man compared himself to Napoleon Bonaparte after committing a murder. I do not only love murder cases in a novel but I especially love it when psychology is a big focus on the novel. I just love it when the main focus is on a person’s mind and emotional/mental behavior. With this being said, the novel made me want to continue reading even more. I also love the author’s tone of suspension which always kept me on the edge of my seat.

4.Did you find the book realistic?

I found this book actually very realistic. The author did perfect in describing the protagonist’s deliriums, thoughts, and actions. It felt as if you were the protagonist at times. Not only did he do great on the protagonist but on the other characters of the novel as well. It was very thoroughly thought out of the author’s choices of characters. For example, the author chooses to have that loyal/best friend, enemies that suspect about the murder case, a mother and a sister who worry about the protagonist’s statement, etc. The author especially makes it realistic by having the protagonist compare himself to a hero, Napoleon Bonaparte. This definitely connects with many people in my life, including myself, because we all compare ourselves to heroes that we wish or in away to become. And like many cliché novels there is always one character that wants to be or compares him/herself to a hero.

5.Describe the author's tone.

The author’s tone is mostly depressing and tragic throughout the novel. “…crowded; lime scaffolding, bricks, dust everywhere, and that special summer stench known so well to every Petersburger who cannot afford to rent a summer house…” “Lizaveta was standing in the middle of the room …staring at her murdered sister…he rushed at her with the axe…the blow landed on the skull, with the sharp edge, and immediately split the whole part of the forehead.” “He did not even know that a new life would not be given him for nothing, that it’s still had to be dearly bought, to be paid for with a great future deed…” The city/environment is very depressing because of the poverty and unpleasant surroundings. Not only that but it’s pretty depressing that the protagonist does not know what obstacles he will have to overcome in order to accomplish his new life/future. It is also very tragic the death of Lizaveta because not only did she come back home to see her murdered sister but also to be brutally murdered. The author shows both tones through the majority of this novel.

6.Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques

Throughout this novel many allusions of religion are mentioned. Such as, “Under his pillow lay the Gospel…it was the same one from which she had read to him about the raising of Lazarus.” (Dostoevsky pg 550) These allusions are mentioned to raised hope and faith to the protagonist. They are also mentioned as redemption for the protagonist.

The author uses a lot of imagery in this novel. “Incidentally, he was remarkably good-looking, taller than average, slender and trim, with beautiful dark eyes and dark blond hair.”(Dostoevsky pg 4) The author not only uses a lot of imagery throughout characters but the environments as well.

Similes are not always mentioned in this novel but appear a few times with elegant comparisons. “Which everyone sheds,’ he picked up, almost in a frenzy, “which is always has been shed in torrents in this world, which men spill like champagne.”(Dostoevsky pg 518)

Personifications are thoroughly emphasized greatly in this novel. The majority of personifications are with great suspense and darkness. “His legs suddenly became terribly weak, a chill ran down his spine, and it was as if his heart stood still for a moment; then all at once it began pounding as if it had jumped off the hook.”(Dostoevsky pg 272)

There are many repetitions shown to emphasize a great meaning or to make a greater meaning of the subject. “Seven years, only seven years…seven years as if they were seven days.”(Dostoevsky pg 551)

A lot of sensory details are mentioned to picture the scenery of every setting/environment.

The sensory details are also used elegantly that you can physically/mentally see, hear, taste, touch, or even smell the scenery. “…bright green, fleshy stems, with their heavy, sweet scent.”(Dostoevsky pg 506)

There are massively many situational ironies in this novel. You may think you know what will happen next but this author will prove your prediction wrong. You will get a whole other level of situational irony. “‘Well, never mind brother. It’s a good place. If they start asking you, just tell them he went to America.’ He put the revolver to his right temple…Svidrigailov pulled the trigger.”

Many symbolisms are mentioned with great significance throughout the novel. Such as the city represented the protagonist’s mind, the cross signified as redemption, the color yellow that was shown greatly in many places symbolized metal illness and suffering, etc. “The small room into which the young man walked, with yellow wallpaper…”(Dostoevsky pg 7)

The novel has many high/formal diction that author writes for the readers. The author uses many elegant word choices and doesn’t use much slangs in the novel. “…obliging and magnanimous…perfect sincerity and candor in their reality…”(Dostoevsky pg 379)

This novel also has many many dialogues and monologues. Whether it is one of the character expressing their thoughts or two characters having a conversation. “’I repeat ,’ Paskolnikov cried furiously, ‘that I can no longer endure…’ ‘What, sir? The uncertainty?’ Porfiry interrupted.”(Dostoevsky pg 348)

CHARACTERIZATION

1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization.

There are many direct and indirect characterizations in this novel to mostly all characters. Two direct characterizations are when the author introduces both the protagonist and his sister as beautiful and intelligent. An indirect characterization is when the protagonist is in trial and his friend announces the many generous things the protagonist did to help out many people. Another example is the civil officer who is known as the antagonist of the novel. The author gives many examples of his intelligence in psychology without even having to use direct characterization. The author uses both approaches because they don’t want the novel to be straightforward and boring. My last impressions of each character as a result are mostly quite the opposite of my impressions.

2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?

The author uses a lot of syntax and diction change when he focuses on a main character. The minor characters are pretty much the same. The protagonist may have different diction or syntax on other characters but when the author focuses on him he changes from somewhat formal diction to abstract diction. The protagonist uses high vocabulary and is formal when talking to every other character with exception of his friend of course. But when the character is not talking anyone else but with himself his tone changes to being emotional and delirium. His best friend is always laughing, joking around, and uses informal language especially around the protagonist.

3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.

The protagonist is both dynamic and round. He goes under many changes throughout the novel. He went from this intelligent student to being delirium/mad. He greatly changed after murdering the pawnbroker and her sister. He started isolating himself from society and getting many deliriums. He started seeing everyone as an enemy that he should get away from. The protagonist thought he would change as a hero to humanity after he murdered the wicked pawnbroker because he believed he was going to be just like Napoleon Bonaparte. However, that did not work out so many changes evolved in his character. Many people thought he became “mad” or a “maniac”. As the story ends the protagonist dramatically changes again. He finds love and faith. In result, he regains his balance and learns that he will begin a greater life/future.

4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?

After reading this novel I definitely came a long way feeling like I met a person or read a character. I literally felt as if I was the one going through the deliriums, murder case, having every conversation, etc. I was very pleased and happy that this novel ended with the protagonist finding love, faith, and a new life/future. It also made me sad that he will have to wait for seven more years in order for him to see these amazing things in his perspective. Even after the novel ended I felt like I was still the character and I felt like I met a new person.

ENDURING MEMORY

Write a paragraph in which you describe the one or two ideas from this book that you expect to remember for a long time. Explain your choices and their importance. Share a passage or two that give your reader a taste of the same effect.

An idea that I will truly remember for a long time is that there are definitely some sins you commit that you can’t come back from. There are going to be many choices in your life that may be a mistake to learn from but others won’t be. It will just be up to you if you want to take that big leap of fate. Yes some of us may believe we will be a hero if we take action as if it’s going to be doing the best for humanity or simply just to make yourself better/superior. However, there are consequence to every choice you will make some are not as bad as others. Sins like this amazing novel has shown won’t be able to be ignored without harsh consequences. Choices are going to be throughout everyday life it will be up to you know which decision to make. Some sins are harsher than others and those sins will be ones that you can’t come back from.