“Who are the elite?” does not quite seem like the right question after reading Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky, but then again, is there any specific question that does fit this difficult novel? I don’t think that there is a definitive answer to any question asked about this novel, but rather a discussion about topics that aren’t thought about or discussed on a daily basis: extraordinary vs. ordinary, sacrifice, religion, justice and questions defining these broad topics.

A question seems not the right answer, but a mere extension of the books juxtaposition of so many universal topics. To look at each character individually creates an understanding of Dostoevsky’s intention to describe the alienation of each character against society in communist Russia. No one is truly elite in almost any sense. Monetarily, Svidrigailov (who ends up committing suicide) is not elite. Intelligence-wise, Raskolnikov (who ends up in prison for his crime) could not be considered to be such a leading citizen. Luzhin (a classy yet self-absorbed person) loses his fiancé for being such. Although each of these characters seems to have justice come upon them in their “punishment”, each does not understand the reason for being so. Dostoevsky uses religious elements within this book to allude to the justice of each crime not only through earthly justice but also divine justice; giving the reader a universal truth that justice will ultimately be served.