On Razumov's Crime And Punishment In Under Western Eyes

Published in 1911,Under Western Eyes is Joseph Conrad's most human novel which embodies his most important ideas on solidarity,betrayal,politics,the individual in society,and the nature of human existence.Many reviewers consider it as the last of Conrad's great works.In this novel,the protagonist Razumov experiences an identity crisis.Through his crime and punishment,the thesis traces his moral journey from his betrayal to his confession.The thesis consists of five parts.The introductory part gives a brief introduction to Conrad's life,the background of the Under Western Eyes and its previous studies home and abroad.Chapter one focuses on Razumov's crime of betrayal.Chapter two displays the punishment he suffers,including his physical and psychological torture,particularly his identity crisis caused by the opposing forces of autocracy and revolutionary.Chapter three discusses Razumov's salvation and his identity reconstruction.The last part arrives at a conclusion that from Razumov's “crime” to “punishment” he eventually completes reconstruction of his identity and integrates into social community,which embodies Conrad's emphasis on individual survival and social harmony.