Mrs. McConkey
ENG 3UE
5 December 2011
Apologia
The most important element of a classic novel is its ability to endure throughout the ages. Crime and Punishment has been able to do this. Although it was written in 1866, it still has relevance in today's society. Dostoevsky delves into the mind of a criminal - something that few authors dare to do, in fear of what they might find lurking there. In doing this, Dostoevsky creates a very unique character. Unlike the archetypal hero that is the protagonist of most novels, Raskolnikov has a dark, violent side that he acts upon.
[Raskolnikov] took the axe...swung it with both hands, scarcely aware of himself,
and almost without effort, almost mechanically, brought the butt-end down on her
head...the blow happened to land right on the crown of her head. She cried out,
but very faintly, and her whole body suddenly sank to the floor, though she still
managed to raise both hands to her head...the he struck her again and yet again
with all his strength, both times with the butt-end both times on the crown of the
head. Blood poured out as from an overturned glass, and the body fell backwards.
He stepped aside, letting it fall, and immediately bent down to her face; she was
already dead." (Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment 76-77)
The sheer originality of the main character is enough to pique the curiosity of most potential readers, and since curiosity is a human trait that will likely never die, Crime and Punishment has an excellent chance of surviving the centuries.
The book focuses on psychology; a timeless theme. Because of the human race's curiosity, people will never cease in their attempts to unravel the human psyche. This is especially true in the case of criminals; society wants to understand what makes some people do the horrible things they do. This is especially evident in today's society, and is shown by the popularity of crime shows on television such as CSI, Criminal Minds, and Law and Order. In the novel, Dostoevsky explores what happens to a person when logic takes over their mind, and how this can make someone do horrible things, and create a criminal.
"...all people are somehow divided into the 'ordinary' and the 'extraordinary'. The
ordinary must live in obedience and have no right to transgress the law, because
they are, after all, ordinary. While the extraordinary have the right to commit all
sorts of crimes and in various ways to transgress the law, because in point of fact
they are extraordinary." (259).
However, Dostoevsky does show that, in the end, a person's conscience will always win over logic. Since psychology - especially criminal psychology - is such an interesting theme, its appeal will never die, which helps to make Crime and Punishment a classic.
"...all people are somehow divided into the 'ordinary' and the 'extraordinary'. The
ordinary must live in obedience and have no right to transgress the law, because
they are, after all, ordinary. While the extraordinary have the right to commit all
sorts of crimes and in various ways to transgress the law, because in point of fact
they are extraordinary." (259).
However, Dostoevsky does show that, in the end, a person's conscience will always win over logic. Since psychology - especially criminal psychology - is such an interesting theme, its appeal will never die, which helps to make Crime and Punishment a classic.
Crime and Punishment is also enduring because it relates to readers on a more personal level. Through the psychological theme of the book, it explores the darker side of humanity, which causes the reader to consider the darker side of themselves; to question their own morals and beliefs, and their own ideas of right and wrong. It may even force the reader to start wondering what wrongs they have committed in their life that, like Raskolnikov, they were too hasty to rationalize. They are able to see a bit of themselves in Raskolnikov, which scares them. This fear, and this ability to feel a connection to the main character, a criminal, force the reader to relate to the novel on a personal level. However, the reader is also able to feel relief when they read the novel, through the psychological concept of catharsis (an emotional release). When reading the novel, the reader feels an emotional release because, although they feel fear because they are able to connect to the main character, they can still find solace in the fact that they aren't Raskolnikov; they aren't murderers.
At first he thought he would loose his mind. A terrible chill seized him; but the
chill was also caused by a fever that had begun long ago in his sleep. Now,
however, he was suddenly stricken with such shivering that his teeth almost flew
out and everything in him came loose. (89).
This quote shows the onset of the illness Raskolnikov suffered just after killing the old pawnbroker, and the suffering he also endured from his conscience. This section creates catharsis in the reader because they are grateful, once again, that they aren't Raskolnikov, and that any wrongs they have committed haven't caused them this much grief. If all readers of a book can connect to it on such a personal level, and feel such strong emotions when reading it, like they can with Crime and Punishment, it gives the book a good chance of surviving, and becoming a classic.
At first he thought he would loose his mind. A terrible chill seized him; but the
chill was also caused by a fever that had begun long ago in his sleep. Now,
however, he was suddenly stricken with such shivering that his teeth almost flew
out and everything in him came loose. (89).
This quote shows the onset of the illness Raskolnikov suffered just after killing the old pawnbroker, and the suffering he also endured from his conscience. This section creates catharsis in the reader because they are grateful, once again, that they aren't Raskolnikov, and that any wrongs they have committed haven't caused them this much grief. If all readers of a book can connect to it on such a personal level, and feel such strong emotions when reading it, like they can with Crime and Punishment, it gives the book a good chance of surviving, and becoming a classic.
Crime and Punishment is a novel that meets the standards of a classic; it is exceptional, and it has the ability to last for many generations to come. It has a unique character, a universally appealing theme, and the ability to get its reader to relate to it on a personal level. All of these things give the book immortality, earning it the label of a classic.
