In learning English Literature, of course, there are several studies on novel analysis as a form of appreciation of a work of literacy. As a department that focuses on the discussion of literary works and relates them to social aspects such as how a literary work has an allegory that correlates to a problem, the analysis of novels by writers is a form of delivery and criticism of the development of the world. 

Novels are one of the most popular and influential forms of literature. Novels often reflect and influence the social and cultural conditions of their time. The study of novels can help us understand how these literary works reflect and shape society's views. 

Novels offer character and plot analyses that will serve as the fundamentals for analysing why a work of writing has its own way of thinking, whether in the form of idealism, existentialism, or environmentalism. Many novels explore issues of ideology, identity, gender, race and class. Research into novels can open up discussions about how these issues are presented and challenged in literary works.

One of the classic detective novels set in Russia called Crime and Punishment contains several psychological topics as well as elements of morality that contain tragedies in human life. "Crime and Punishment" is a novel written by Fyodor Dostoevsky and first published in 1866. The story centres on Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov, a former student living in poverty in St Petersburg.

The novel tells us that the main character, Rodion Romanovich Rashkolnikov, dropped out of university due to his inability to meet the tuition fees. Afterwards, he walks alone in St Petersburg thinking to himself that in life there are two types of people: ordinary and extraordinary. This became the basis of Romanivich's later moral and philosophical formation. Later on, Rashkolnikov committed crimes and eventually met one of St Petersburg's most important ex-figures, Semyon Marmeladov. 

Through this meeting, Rashkolnikov married Semyon's daughter, and because of his troubled family background, Rashkolnikov often committed crimes in the St. Petersburg pawnshop to make ends meet and also to keep his sister from marrying a rich man just to save her life from misery. Because of his actions, one of them began to be recognised by detective Porviry Petrovich, who finally came up with the idea of making an article about the concept of ordinary and extraordinary people to corner Rashkolnikov, who in his mind was an extraordinary person who could commit crimes during his life. 

It wasn't long before Rashkolnikov's mother, as a last resort, chose to end her life and Rasholnikov was imprisoned. From the story, it can be seen that with Rashkolnikov's deteriorating condition, he conceptualised that life can only be travelled if one becomes extraordinary and by doing so, all limits can be surpassed. 

From a literary perspective, the novel can explain the concept of how a social problem can influence a person's preconceptions to form an ideology that makes them commit various unreasonable acts. At the end of Rashkolnikov's story, it is also explained that prison is a way out that makes him calmer in life. This cannot be attributed to the character being a hypocrite, but it is related to Dostoevsky's ideology that, through the development of Rashkolnikov's character, he wanted to show that what can lead to the loss of trust and moral compass, will lead to the loss of moral foundation. 

Novels are often presented from multiple points of view, both from the main narrator and other characters. This allows readers to see the world from different perspectives, helping them to understand and appreciate diverse views and life experiences. When reading a novel, readers are challenged to analyse characters' motives, actions and development. This enhances critical and analytical thinking skills, helping readers understand how and why characters evolve throughout the story. This engagement helps readers feel and understand the range of emotions and situations experienced by the characters, enriching their empathy and understanding of human complexity.

In addition, with the background of social problems that can shape a person's morality, it is also concluded that social downturns can shape morality. Of course, the crime and punishment novel as a whole is not an easy work to digest, but for students of English Literature at Dian Nusantara University, a study or research on the concept of thought and character building is a key element of good literature from any era because learning from literacy is a method of self-reflection not only in research but also in life.

Therefore, English Literature at Dian Nusantara University is the right choice with a focus on a high understanding of literature so that students can produce research on cultural studies and the concept of human thinking as a whole.

(Danang Respati Wicaksono / HUMAS UNDIRA)

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