Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

My first Russian literature was Anna Karenina, which I didn't finish because it was an e-book and my head just hurts from too much screen time. But this book made me believe that it would be worth it to read other Russian masterpieces.

During the stay at home period, I borrowed this from the library, and began indulging myself in it. I read the earlier parts but wasn't able to focus with many other things going on at the time.

As soon as the semester ended, I picked it up and started reading. I can understand why it is included in many of the lists of the greatest classics of all time that are available online.

In law, poverty and destitution are not defences against crimes. Nor is doing criminal acts for the greater good.

The main character, Rodya, believes that some people are justified to commit crimes. He believes that he himself is supposedly justified to rob his neighbour, for he is a poor student, desperately wanting to finish his legal education, become a person with the upper hand and change the society. He believes that whatever he was planning to do is for the greater good and is thus justified.

But that is not true, at least practically the world today doesn't recognise this. At most, courts have only given consideration to these facts as mitigating factors in deciding the punishment, and not acquit a person altogether.

I am reminded of the available exceptions in Islamic law under the circumstance called dharurah, which simplistically translates to emergency. But that is not a black and white rule, and not a matter of convenience either.

And so the reality affects Rodya too. He was the only believer of his ideas, and so he was wrong in the eyes of law. The book included how messy it is to live post a criminal act, especially when one is a good person, with consciousness in his heart, with compassion for his family, and just wanted to become a better person.

The story also illustrates the role of love and unconditional support in shaping a person, in changing one's life, and in keeping hopes alive.

Amazing read, will definitely read again.