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Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment is an 1866 novel by Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Crime and Punishment is an 1866 novel by Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky. It follows Rodion Raskolnikov, a poor former law student in Saint Petersburg, as he commits murder and struggles with guilt, morality, and redemption.

Plot

The novel follows the psychological aftermath of Raskolnikov’s murder of an old pawnbroker. His attempt to rationalize the crime collapses under guilt, fear, and moral conflict.

Publication history

Crime and Punishment was serialized in The Russian Messenger in 1866 and later issued as a single volume. Britannica notes book publication followed in 1867.

Themes

The novel is known for its analysis of guilt, punishment, free will, morality, and the idea that suffering may lead to spiritual renewal.

Literary significance

Britannica describes it as Dostoevsky’s first masterpiece and one of the finest studies of guilt in literature. It is often cited as a landmark psychological novel.

Key facts

  • The novel was first published in twelve monthly installments in 1866 before appearing in book form.
  • It is widely regarded as one of Dostoevsky’s major works and an important work of world literature.
  • The plot centres on Raskolnikov’s attempt to justify murder through a moral theory about extraordinary individuals.
  • The story explores guilt, conscience, poverty, alienation, and redemption.
  • Wikisource indicates the work is in the public domain in the United States and worldwide under applicable copyright terms.
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Canadian context

The novel is widely studied in Canadian secondary schools and university literature courses as part of the global literary canon, especially in courses on Russian literature, the novel, and psychological fiction.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Crime and Punishment?
It was written by Fyodor Dostoevsky, a Russian novelist.
When was Crime and Punishment first published?
It was first published in 1866 as a serial in The Russian Messenger.
What is Crime and Punishment about?
It tells the story of Raskolnikov, a former student who murders a pawnbroker and then confronts intense guilt and moral turmoil.
What genre is Crime and Punishment?
It is generally classified as a psychological novel and philosophical fiction.
Is Crime and Punishment in the public domain?
Wikisource identifies the work as public domain in the United States and in other countries depending on local copyright terms.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_and_Punishment
    Supports: Basic identification as Dostoevsky’s novel; publication history; plot overview
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Crime-and-Punishment-novel
    Supports: Author, first publication date, literary significance, plot characterization
  3. Wikisource — https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Crime_and_Punishment
    Supports: Public-domain status and copyright context