Christianity in Crime and Punishment

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Christianity in Crime and Punishment

While reading Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky, the notion that it is a novel about Christianity seems absurd at first. Its central story focuses on revenge, murder and punishment – ideals contrary to Christian beliefs. Although the book may appear to be non-Christian, there were many instances where faith, suffering and redemption were present. These occasions show that the underlying theme of Crime and Punishment is one of Christianity. The references to icons, Lazarus, New Jerusalem and the constant presence of suffering prove that the novel has biblical connotation.

In the beginning of the novel, when Raskolnikov goes to the pawnbroker to pawn his father’s watch, Dostoevsky describes Alyona’s apartment. “The furniture, all very old an of yellow wood, consisted of a sofa… In the corner a light was burning before a small icon.” Even from the very first chapter, Dostoevsky made a reference to a Christian image. An ‘icon’ is a picture or representation of a saint or other Christian figures. I believe that the author did this to make it evident right from the start that Crime and Punishment is irrevocably a novel about God. An icon reappears every now and then in the rest of the book to reiterate that God will always be around, watching and guiding over everyone.

Also near the beginning of the story, the man Raskolnikov met at the bar, Marmeledov, declared the first primary Christian message in the novel. Ironic as it was, being that he was drunk, he cried out, “Crucify me oh judge… He is the One... He will forgive my Sonya.” The idea that God could forgive is a very strong belief throughout the novel and this concept is one that is vital to the transformation of ...

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...tly, she knows that he loves her and that they will have a future together. “… The dawn of a new future, a perfect resurrection into a new life...” The Lazarus image recurs. Love has raised them from the dead. This love is the love of God that has shown through their suffering. By loving Sonya, I believe Raskolnikov is ready to love God. The seven years that remain on his sentence have a religious significance too, for seven is the number of creation, as well.

In closure, the Christian content in Crime and Punishment is definitely evident and teaches many morals to the reader. The story has a message of faith and enlightens those who do not have any. In reading this novel, I came to realize that “you must accept suffering and redeem yourself by it…” For if you do not, then you will being like Raskolnikov and suffer the punishments for dong the crime.

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