Crime and Punishment is a novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Several times throughout the novel, Raskolnikov compares himself with Napoleon Bonaparte and shares his belief that murder is permissible in pursuit of a higher purpose..
He also commits the murder to test a theory of his that dictates some people are naturally capable of such actions, and even have the right to perform them.
Raskolnikov, in an attempt to defend his actions, argues that with the pawnbroker\'s money he can perform good deeds to counterbalance the crime, while ridding the world of a vermin.
Crime and Punishment focuses on the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished ex-student in Saint Petersburg who formulates and executes a plan to kill an unscrupulous pawnbroker for her cash.
Crime and Punishment is considered the first great novel of his mature period of writing.
It is the second of Dostoyevsky\'s full-length novels following his return from 5 years of exile in Siberia.
Later, it was published in a single volume.
It was first published in the literary journal The Russian Messenger in twelve monthly installments during 1866.
Crime and Punishment is a novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky
