Fedor Dostoevsky by Vasily Perov, 1872
One of the most renowned works in 19th-century literature, Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment from 1866 frequently makes the lists of greatest novels ever written. A masterful combination of philosophical and psychological inquiry, Dostoevsky’s novel explores the inner and outer turmoil of the antihero Raskolnikov as he plots and commits a grotesque crime amid a backdrop of socioeconomic squalor. Joseph Luzzi, a professor of literature at Bard College, explores the storytelling techniques and historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts that inform Dostoevsky’s literary vision.
10–11 a.m. An Inimitable Biography: Dostoevsky in Life and Literature
Luzzi examines key elements and aspects of Dostoevsky’s life, especially his mock execution and subsequent imprisonment in Siberia and their effect on his literary development.
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. The Antihero: Parts 1–2
The focus is on the first two parts of Dostoevsky’s novel and the complex portrait of Raskolnikov, especially his attitudes toward crime and punishment and their relation to his sense of self. Luzzi also discusses the intellectual ideas that inspired Dostoevsky, especially nihilism.
12:15–12:45 p.m. Break
12:45–1:45 p.m. Social Analysis and Philosophical Flight: Parts 3–4
Luzzi considers the dialogue between the book’s philosophical speculations and its more concrete depictions of the brutal socioeconomic conditions endured by many characters living in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, where the novel is set. Aspects of religion and women’s identity are also explored.
2–3 p.m. Final Thoughts and an Enduring Legacy: Parts 5–6 and Epilogue
Luzzi discusses the final sections, focusing on how Dostoevsky brings together the narrative strands, especially as they coalesce around the thoughts and actions of Raskolnikov. He also highlights the influence of Crime and Punishment on literary and popular culture.
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