crime, punishment, and murderers

All of my close friends know that I am really interested in murders. It's not the gory aspects of murder that I like, but rather a more detached, intellectual, psychological aspect that fascinates me. How can a person get so detached from life and humanity that they are able to actually take the life from another human being? It boggles my mind to see the psychological deterioration of some murderers - and it's even more boggling when the people appear to be actually sane.

Such was my experience when reading "Crime and Punishment" this summer. It was fascinating to see the psychological workings of not only the protagonist, Raskolnikov, but also of Dostoevsky himself! irst of all, it is interesting to see how Raskilnikov truly believes that he is justified in murdering the old pawn broker with an axe - nay, he feels as if he has actually done a good deed by killing the old woman!

And...the crazy thing is...Dostoevsky writes in a way that the reader can actually sympathize and understand where Raskilnikov is coming from! It's such a strange psychological twist of events. You hardly seem to know if you should detest the murderer or give him a big hug (and obviously, Sonia doesn't know how to treat him either).

I loved the reoccuring theme of death in the novel, and how death was treated differently each time. For example, you first have the murder of the old woman, which is presented in a cold, heartless, unattached manner. Then you have Marmeladov, the drunkard who gets run over by a carriage. We witness his scene on his deathbed, with people crying and candles burning. We also read the death of a madwoman, Katerina Marmeladov, who dies of consumption with her "certificate of honor" by her side. Svidrigailov (who also was suspected of multiple murders) commits suicide after Dunya tells him that she can never love him. Each death is treated differently, and each death appears to have more meaning and substance because of the different identifications that the reader has with the character.

I found the book to be fascinating. And I loved the ending.