[The Kreutzer Sonata or homicidal jealousy according to Tolstoy]

Journal/Book: Ann Med Psychol (Paris). 1994; 152: 281-91.

Abstract: In the first movement (the presto) of Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata there are two strongly opposing themes (positive masculine and negative feminine). Inspired by this confrontation, in his novel "The Kreutzer Sonata", Tolstoï describes the marital conflict that drives the jealous husband, Pozdnychev, to kill his wife whom he believes to be unfaithful. The murderer thinks that his wife, a pianist, is betraying him with a violinist when he discovers them in his home at night. The present paper is a criminological study of this murder brought about by passion. In this novel Tolstoï paints a very realistic picture of the criminal workings of Pozdnychev's mind, the tragic tale of this jealousy is perfectly consistent with the judicial understanding of crimes of passion.

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