Plot: Raskolnikov is made to discontinue education and go loafing around for want of money and the feeling that he is superior makes him epitomise Napolean and think he's beyond the laws of the land. In making his contribution to help mankind, he gets hot-headed and murders two women and suffers from delirium. Does he possess guilt?; Does the entry of his mother and sister make things better?; Does he continue helping people? All are answered in typical Dostoevsky style with a subtle heavy dose (not an oxymoron, at least for FD!) of philosophy!
Prime Characters: Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, Sofia Semyonovna, Avdotya, Pulcheria Alexandrovna, Dmitri Razumihin, Porfiry, Luzhin et al.
Highlights:
- The tale is as gripping as it is deep in content. Dostoyevsky's works are the best examples of the Iceberg concept. Some may just see the tip, some may understand more and go a bit deep; Few can get to the bottom of what he tells. Having said that, I don't even know if I have breached the tip!
- Raskolnikov's intent, his sufferings and the validity of his question on why to suffer in Prison when there is so much scope for it outside shake the reader's thoughts! His contrasting deeds that define his character find purpose near the end and his is an inspiring creation.
- Razumihin, Svidrigaïlov, Avdotya, Sofia - all of these characters that play fiddle have a definite purpose and accentuate the impact! Especially, the flashback of Svidrigaïlov & his culmination towards the end is terrific.
- There are mind-blowing quotable quotes all along the work. A few come and go i unnoticeable places as well! To sample a few: "Reason is the slave of passion, you know"; "He had the air of a man who wants dreadfully to sneeze, but can't" (How about that for features-depiction?)
- The sequences of Raskolnikov with Porfiry are fiery and show us clearly how a guilty mind can be played with and irritated to the core!
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