“What do you think, would not one tiny crime be wiped out by thousands of good deeds?”
– Fyodor Dostoevsky, (1821 – 1881)
20th century literature cannot be discussed without referring back to one of the finest novelists to exist within history to date. Fyodor Dostoevsky, a Russian novelist, and short-story writer, who raised questions about morality, existential angst, faith, and the nature of reality and truth through his works, paved the path for the upcoming writers and readers to explore various aspects of life.
Whilst the author grappled with issues such as imprisonment, epileptic seizures, and mock executions at the hands of the Russian government, his literary genius lies in his execution of unparalleled depth of characterization, complex plotlines, and his profound insights regarding human consciousness.
One of his excessively celebrated works includes Crime and Punishment which he penned down in 1866. The novel expounds upon aspects like psychological torment, guilt, and redemption through atonement and confessions. This further on contributes to novel’s psychological realism for it asserts notions like “Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most”, and “What do you think, would not one tiny crime be wiped out by thousands of good deeds?” Through his literary works, Dostoevsky urges the readers to move underneath the surface of the self and connect with the inner reality of human consciousness– an idea that makes his works relatable across generations and regions.
