(Spoiler Alert)
I just finished "Crime and Punishment" and am so throughouly vexed by the whole idea of this book that I am not certain where to start. I was under the impression that this book was about how one crime could be forgiven if it meant that a million good deeds came from it, but once again I was mistaken. The main character (Rodya) comes up with a theory that if someone is destined for greatness that he is 'allowed' to dispose of all those who opose him. Being young and idealistic, he assumes that he must be one of those great people and decides to murder a local pawn broker in order to continue his education and elevated his status. He ends up botching the whole 'experiement' and through the whole book you are led to believe that Rodya is being tormented by his concious and that is why in the end he decides to turn himself in. I was greatly disappointed to discover that it was not that afterall, but the fact that he could not over come his crime and move on that seemed to be 'The Real Crime' to him. The fact that his ego and pride had been eternally wounded is what bothered him the most. Even after he goes to Siberia for the crime of murder he is still under the impression that the real crime is his weakness of not being able to get over murdering another human being. I felt totally cheated. What exactly did Rodya learn?
It is odd though, that this particulair act, prompted him to be so generious to others in his life. Even those that he was barely acquainted with where blessed by is generosity and selflessness leading up to his confession. I suppose, in a way, he was trying to justify his crime by doing good unto others, but how do you justify murder?
The other thing that really bothered me about this book, is the way that the women where betrayed. Once again they are seen as bargining chips that the men can use as they see fit. They are described as meek and mild. At one point, one of the female characters (Sonya) is forced into prostitution in order to feed her family, and by doing so is looked down upon by society and the other more 'sophisticated' characters. Serously? Of course it was a man (her father) that demanded that she do such a thing, but does he get the blame for her 'uncleanliness'? Of course not!
In my opinion Sonya is the real hero of this story. It is through her that her family is taken care of, and it is through her that Rodya starts to discover his humanity. Without Sonya the whole story would be one big pissing contest.
Overall, I would say that this book is one that should be read, but not with any expectations. I suppose to througoughly enjoy it, one must put aside their values and their morals and try to look at it from a totally hypothetical view. Otherwise, it just makes you really angry at the world.
Always,
The Book Hoarder
PS I couldn't get my spell checker to work, so I apologize for my atroucious spelling errors.
