This novel follows Rodion Raskolnikov as he faces mental and physical anguish from both his poverty and his guilt over the terrible act he commits. The novel opens with Raskolnikov dealing with the isolaition he feels from the rest of society. He goes into a small pub where he meets Semyon Marmeladov a poor beggar withe a captivating story. He feels a connection to this man and becomes intertwined with the mans family. Raskolnikov believes himself to be above the average man and thus above the law. Using this rational he commits a terrible crime for what he thinks is the betterment of humanity. Raskolnikov panics and falls into a deep depression. Much of the book he is grappling with reality falling in an out of consciousness edging on the brink insanity. He eventually comes back to his old self when he has to deal with another problem on top of hiding his guilt. His sister Dunya is trying to get married to a man named Pyotr Luzhin a greedy businessman who seeks to control his sister and his mother. Raskolnikov begins to get more and more stressed till he finally gives in at the climax of the story.