Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Crime and Punishment is a book written by Fyodor Dostoevsky who spent four years at a labour camp in Siberia, followed by four years of military service. Raskolnikov's time in a Siberian prison, described in the Epilogue of Crime and Punishment, is based on Dostoevsky's own experiences at a similar prison. Crime and Punishment is the story of a poor man in Russia who can only purge himself of his guilt through suffering. The book …

…was fascinated by martyr spirits like Dunya, Katerina, and especially Sonya who all sacrificed themselves for others. Sonya was a Christ-like figure, lowering herself to save her family. Raskolnikov tried to increase his value by being overly generous with his money, but it did not ease his burden. Finally, Raskolnikov confessed to Sonya, thereby beginning the healing process. To truly be renewed, however, he had to forget his superman theories and submit to the law.