78 Crime and Punishment Essay Topics & Prompts

🔝 Top-9 Crime and Punishment Essay Topics

1. Is the Murder in Dostoyevsky’s Novel “Crime and Punishment” Justified?
2. Raskolnikov’s Crime: The Novel Crime and Punishment
3. Foucault’s “Discipline and Punish” and Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
4. Utilitarianists’ Ideology in “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
5. The Long Way to Confession in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment
6. Reading “Crime and Punishment” by Dostoevsky
7. The Victim Is Always Guilty: “Crime and Punishment” by F. Dostoyevsky
8. Raskolnikov’s Crime in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
9. Part IV of Fyodor Dostoevsky’ “Crime and Punishment”

🔥 Hottest Crime and Punishment Essay Questions

What Were the Main Themes of Crime and Punishment?

The main idea of ​​Crime and Punishment is that any action has consequences. In this case, the crime will not go unpunished. Dostoevsky explains this by the fact that there is no justification for Rodion’s murder. No matter how many atrocities a person has committed, no one has the right to deliberately take their life.

Is Raskolnikov a Nihilist and an Atheist?

Regardless of whether the murder was a utilitarian act or caused by a desire to gain money, Raskolnikov is certainly a nihilist. Utterly unsentimental throughout the novel, he doesn’t care about moral values. Likewise, he completely ignores social conventions that conflict with his vision of what the world should be like.

Did Raskolnikov Have Schizophrenia?

There are also no hints about Raskolnikov having schizophrenia. He is an introverted and withdrawn young man with tendencies to anxiety and depression. Some readers point out his avoidant and socially anxious traits. One may even call him a psychopath. However, the ending with his remorse hints at the fact that he only wanted to appear as one.

Why Do People Like Crime and Punishment?

Crime and Punishment is a masterwork of literature that reflects humanity’s deep, raw core and its most gruesome and vulnerable side. Dostoevsky does this through a fascinating blend of intrigue, philosophy, moral, and religion. Readers worldwide like this complex depiction, which adds to the novel’s lasting legacy.

What Does Crime and Punishment Symbolize?

The meaning of Crime and Punishment is to express the thought of a criminal who demands moral punishment for the sin he committed. The author brought out this key concept in the title. The whole essence of the work is based on the crime and the subsequent punishment. Dostoevsky tried to show that moral choice affects a person’s future life. In the novel, he raises the topic of good vs. evil, ethical values, and life choices.

🎭 Crime and Punishment Essay Prompts for Character Analysis

Understanding each character from Crime and Punishment and the entire plot will be much easier with the aid of the topics below:

• Explain the philosophy of the right to commit a crime from Rodion Raskolnikov’s perspective. Your essay can explore how his ideas shape his actions. Look at the moments of crisis and doubt that lead to the development of Rodion’s character and his influence on the novel’s plot.
• Selflessness and inner strength of Sonya Marmeladova. She’s the symbol of redemption and compassion for Raskolnikov. It’s important to analyze her relationships with other characters, including Raskolnikov himself, as well as her influence on his moral choices and desire for change.
• Dmitry Razumikhin as a foil to Raskolnikov. Dmitry represents the opposite of the protagonist’s inner state. This provides an opportunity to look at the values ​​of friendship and support in difficult times.
• Highlight interesting aspects of Porfiry Petrovich’s character. The detective is shown as a cunning investigator whose methods become an essential element of the novel’s plot. You can explore the interaction between him and Raskolnikov through the prism of psychological struggle.

✏️ Good Research Topics about Crime and Punishment

1. Female Images in the Novel “Crime and Punishment”
2. The Discussion of Duality of the Characters in “Crime and Punishment”
3. Tracing Inequality in “Crime and Punishment”
4. Existentialism in “Demian” and “Crime and Punishment”
5. The Criticism of Socialism in the Novel “Crime and Punishment”
6. Religious Symbolism in “Crime and Punishment”
7. Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Extraordinary Man Theory in “Crime and Punishment”
8. The Use of Crime as a Device in “Crime and Punishment”
9. Physical and Mental Suffering in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
10. Comparing Moral Systems in “Lord of the Flies,” “Crime and Punishment,” “Scarlet Letter,” and “Pygmalion”
11. The Theme of Madness and Mental Delusion in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
12. The Limitations of Reason Exposed in “Crime and Punishment”
13. Ethical Transformation of Self in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
14. An Overview of the Realism in “Crime and Punishment” by Dostoevsky
15. A Literary Analysis and a Comparison of “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen
16. The Dismal Society That Traps Russians in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
17. The Bolshevik Revolution and Its Relation to “Crime and Punishment”
18. The Importance of Minor Characters in “Crime and Punishment”

⚖️ Crime and Punishment Research Topics: Themes & Symbols

Crime and Punishment is full of subtle themes and symbolic imagery. If you want to research them, you can focus on one of the following aspects:

1. The themes of crime and guilt. Here, study the psychology of the character Rodion Raskolnikov, who experiences deep internal contradictions after committing a murder. You can also write about how Rodion came to terms with his actions and their consequences. Explain the role of guilt in shaping his identity. The essay’s conclusion can highlight how this theme resonates with the broader social and ethical problems brought up by Dostoevsky.
2. The concept of punishment as a central theme of the novel. Consider both internal and external forms of punishment. You can write about physical responsibility before the law, moral pangs of conscience in Raskolnikov’s mind, and the influence of public opinion on his actions.
3. Crime and Punishment: redemption through suffering. An essay on this topic can analyze Raskolnikov’s path to understanding the responsibility for his actions through the suffering he experiences. Sonya Marmeladova plays a vital role in this transformation. Her sacrifice and selflessness become catalysts for changes within Rodion.
4. The symbolism of numbers in Crime and Punishment. Explain the meanings of numbers such as 3 (symbol of the Holy Trinity) or 7 (symbol of completeness) and their cultural significance for Russian culture of the 19th century. What do they signify in the plot, characters, and the relationships between them? What’s the link between the number symbols and the philosophical directions of the author’s thought?

📌 Interesting Topics to Write about Crime and Punishment

1. Utilitarianism in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
2. Christianity in “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
3. Comparing Suffering in “Crime and Punishment” and “One Day in the Life”
4. The Symbolism of the Cross in “Crime and Punishment”
5. A Comparison of the “Crime and Punishment” by Dostoevsky and “Othello” by Shakespeare
6. Psychoanalysis in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
7. Depiction of Social Issues in the “Brothers Karamazov” and “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
8. The Protagonist and Antagonist of “Crime and Punishment”
9. The Motif of Poverty Throughout “Crime and Punishment” by Dostoyevsky
10. The Complexity of Characters in Dostoyevsky’s Novel “Crime and Punishment”
11. Application of Psychoanalysis on Dreams in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
12. Comparisons Between “A Hero of Our Times” by Lermontov and “Crime and Punishment” by Dostoevsky
13. A Character Analysis on Raskolnikov in “Crime and Punishment”
14. Rationalizing Radicalism in “Crime and Punishment” vs. “Demons” by Dostoevsky
15. An Analysis of the Theme of Alienation in “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
16. Kindness and Cruelty in “Crime and Punishment”
17. The Theory of Duality of Personality in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
18. The Influence of the Environment on the Profession of Sonia in “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky
19. Motivation of Raskolnikov’s in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
20. The Underlying Message in “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
21. The Questions Raised in the Novel “Crime and Punishment”

💡 How to Choose the Best Topic for Crime and Punishment Essay

Consider the following questions as you look for a fantastic topic for your Crime and Punishment essay:

• What type of assignment do you have to complete? Some topics are best suited for persuasive essays, while others are ideal for argumentative ones. Choose your theme wisely.
• Are you drawn to this subject? Selecting a topic that interests you is a wise idea. It will be a lot easier to write about something you love.
• What is your time limit? Avoid selecting broad topics when you have a tight deadline and focus on something more specific and specialized.
• Who could be your audience? By understanding your potential readers, you can write an essay that will attract their interest.

❓ Questions About Crime and Punishment

1. How Would You Describe the Protagonist and Antagonist of “Crime and Punishment”?
2. What Is the Main Idea of “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky?
3. When Was the “Crime and Punishment” Written?
4. What Is the List of “Crime and Punishment” Characters?
5. Who Are the Main Characters of “Crime and Punishment”?
6. How a Real-Life French Serial Killer Inspired Dostoyevsky to Write “Crime and Punishment”?
7. What Is the Nature of Sonia’s Kindness in “Crime and Punishment”?
8. What Are Some Interesting Facts About the Book “Crime and Punishment”?
9. Why Are the Names Blanked Out in “Crime and Punishment”?
10. What Is the Value System in “Crime and Punishment”?
11. What Were the Conditions of Raskolnikov’s Life From “Crime and Punishment”?
12. Is Raskolnikov From “Crime and Punishment” a Spiritual Person?
13. Is “Crime and Punishment” an Example of an Empirical View of Utilitarianism?
14. How Is the Theme of Nihilism Described in “Crime and Punishment”?
15. What Is the Role of Dreams in “Crime and Punishment”?
16. How Do the Main Characters of “Crime and Punishment” Cope With Their Suffering?
17. What Time Period Does “Crime and Punishment” Take Place In?
18. How Would You Refute the Statement That Raskolnikov in “Crime and Punishment” Kills for Financial Gain?
19. Which View of Poverty, Pride, and Suffering in the Novel “Crime and Punishment”?
20. Why Sonya Is an Extraordinary Woman in the Novel “Crime and Punishment”?
21. Is There a Connection Between the Bolshevik Revolution and “Crime and Punishment”?
22. What Are Raskolnikov’s Main Motives in “Crime and Punishment”?
23. How St. Petersburg Life Is Depicted in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Novel “Crime and Punishment”?
24. What Literary Devices Are Used in “Crime and Punishment”?
25. How Many Pages Is “Crime and Punishment”?
26. What Was the Philosophy and Ideology of Raskolnikov From “Crime and Punishment”?
27. What Is the Moral Lesson of “Crime and Punishment”?
28. Does Raskolnikov From “Crime and Punishment” Have a Mental Illness?
29. What Happened to Raskolnikov in the End of “Crime and Punishment”?
30. Why Does Raskolnikov From “Crime and Punishment” Decide to Confess His Crime?