A poor, paranoid young student named Raskolnikov convinces himself that he is extraordinary. He develops a theory to suggest that the world’s most extraordinary men should be permitted to commit any crime in pursuit of the greater good of humanity. Raskolnikov lives in a tiny apartment, spends what little money he has on strange, altruistic causes, and plots some mysterious, terrible deed that will prove his superiority.

Finally, Raskolnikov decides to test his theory. He murders an elderly pawnbroker whom he considers a leech on society. He also murders the pawnbroker’s half-sister, who intrudes on the murder scene unexpectedly. Raskolnikov escapes the scene of the crime, but soon falls ill with a fever and spends several days unconscious in his tiny apartment. When Raskolnikov begins to recover, he learns that his sister Dunia plans to marry a pompous, wealthy man named Luzhin. Raskolnikov is furious, believing that Dunia is sacrificing her happiness on his behalf. When Luzhin comes to see Raskolnikov in Saint Petersburg, Raskolnikov erupts with anger and throws insults at his prospective brother-in-law.