Who is the protagonist in "Crime and Punishment" by Dostoyevsky?

The protagonist of "Crime and Punishment" is Rodion Raskolnikov, who is a former student living in St. Petersburg. The novel revolves around his internal struggles and moral dilemmas after he commits a murder, which he rationalizes as a means to an end for a greater good. Raskolnikov’s character is central to exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the psychological torment following his actions. His interactions with other characters and his philosophical justifications for his crime drive the narrative forward, allowing readers to delve deeply into his psyche.

Other choices, such as Dmitri Karamazov, Prince Myshkin, and Raskolnikov's mother, belong to Dostoyevsky's other works, like "The Brothers Karamazov" and "The Idiot," and do not relate to the central storyline of "Crime and Punishment." This distinction highlights the unique focus of Raskolnikov's character and his significance in Dostoyevsky's exploration of morality and existential thought.