Twentieth Century Interpretations of Crime and Punishment: A Collection of Critical Essays

by Robert Louis Jackson (Compiler)

An excerpt from a letter by Dostoevsky revealing his intentions in writing Crime and Punishment accompanies the comments of Russian, American, and European critics on the novel

Genres: Literary Criticism, Russian Literature

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Fred Dameron]

Exactly what I expected, many great essays on what Dostoyevsky was thinking, how he expressed those thoughts, some background on 1860's Petersburg, what Dostoyevsky meant by the exceptional man, and prostitution.

This last item is interesting. Dostoyevsky is the only writer I can think of who addresses prostitution in all it's reality. The degradation that it forces on women. The depravation and shame that family the girl/women and her family is made to feel. The health issues that prostitution imposes on women. The women on the Voznesensky Bridge, The "young girl" who is being pursued by the "fat dandy" on Konnogvardeysky Blvd, Dunia and Sonia. Some will think that Dunia is not a prostitute but, she is. She is prostituting herself to save Raskolnikov from poverty by marrying. Marrying not for love or even a good husband but, to a bad husband to provide for her mother and Raskonlnkov. Just another form of prostitution.

I believe that it's time for another reread od C & P.. Then a better discussion of Dostoyevsky's views on prostitution.

[Matt Sheffield]

Some essays are better than other, but overall it is interesting. 118 pages.

[Zaki]

I revere Dostoevsky for his shattering insight into morbid psychology and find his twisted religiosity fascinating.

[karl]

3.5