Crime and punishment is a novel of realism. The writer portrays the condition of St. Petersburg Russia with the reality of poverty. This novel is a kind of critic to the phenmenon of poverty which makes the city full of unfair life. Raskolnikov, the main character is a good- looking young ex-student who experiences the torture of the poverty.
he can not continue studying and also witnessing his beloved sister Dunyo who marries a millionaires only to cover family's poverty. Raskolnikov is the device of the sin and redemption itself through the entire book. The condition of the poverty has been a chaos in his mind.
His hatred upon this, makes him come into a conclusion on an idea to resolve it. It is clear from the very beginning of the novel that Raskolnikov is depicted to have a deal with a pawn - broker named Alyona Ivanovna who is famous with her meanness. To Raskolnikov she is such a lousy person whose life is not worth for others.
Raskolnikov's idea of annihilation upon a person who is cruel and not worthy for others is allowed to make the world fair. he decides to kill her in favor of making goodness in the world. Unfortunately, he has to kill Lizaveta, the sister of alyona ivanovna who is the only witness of him murdering the pawn-broker.
This murder has somehow turned Raskolnikov into being delirious. He is chased by his own guilt and in the reality of his daily life he is not a cruel person. The redemption comes to him as he meets the very smart and clever detective Porfiery who withdraws Raskolnikov into seeing his mistakes as he is trying to cover the murder he has committed.
Besides, Raskolnikov also find a lone in Sonia another victim of poverty, who has to sacrifice herself as prostitute to be the backbone of the poor family. Indeed, Sonia is a religious person whose conversation with Raskolnikov finally leads his admitting the murder. Finally Raskolnikov has to pay his murder by being sent to siberia and Sonia also comes along. He find his new life after disregarding his own idea of superiority and annihilation.