Crime and Punishment is a literature classic that is generally considered to be one of the greatest novels of all time. the russian novel focuses on the mental anguish and moral dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished ex-student who formulates and executes a plan to kill a cruel old lady for her wealth. he debates that with her money he can perform good deeds to counterbalance the crime, while ridding the world of the worthless vermin.