What does the underground man represent?

What does the underground man represent?

Dostoevsky says that the Underground Man, though a fictional character, is representative of certain people who “not only may but must exist in our society, taking under consideration the circumstances under which our society has generally been formed.” The Underground Man is extremely alienated from the society in …

What is the Underground Man philosophy?

The underground man states that “one’s own free unfettered choice, one’s own caprice, however wild it may be, one’s own fancy worked up at times to frenzy- is that very most advantageous advantage which we have overlooked.” He backs his belief in free will by saying that “the whole work of man” is to prove to himself …

What makes the underground man obsessed with the officer in Part II?

The Underground Man, as a romantic, would use “literary language” with the officer, and he understands that the people in the tavern would humiliate him for doing so. Rather than challenge the officer, the Underground Man becomes obsessed with the idea of revenge.

What does the Underground Man suffer from?

Still, it’s hard to get too caught up in the Underground Man’s logic. Part of the reason he seems so different from us is that he’s suffering from a major case of extremism.

What is the problem with the underground man?

The underground man is an outsider precisely because of that; the society does not reject him or tries to expel him. The problem lies in him, within his inner oscillating, indecisive, conflicting and confused self. He thinks too much, and is doubtful of himself and of the people around him.

What does the Underground Man value?

He argues that humans value the ability to exert their own will—even if it runs contrary to their best interests—more than they value reason. The Underground Man’s masochistic tendencies illustrate this theory. This example is absurd, almost parodic, but it emphasizes the Underground Man’s point about human nature.

What is wrong with the underground man?

The narrator—referred to in this SparkNote as the Underground Man—introduces himself. He describes himself as sick, wicked, and unattractive, and notes that he has a problem with his liver.

Is the Underground Man romantic?

Notes from Underground by a Fyodor Dostoevsky is mainly a realist piece of fiction whose setting and characters are affected by Romanticism. The protagonist, the Underground Man, encounters Romantic fiction and wishes to embody those virtues in himself.

Why does the underground man refuse to go to a doctor about his liver problem?

Contradictions and indecision are fundamental to his character. He says that his liver hurts, but then immediately tells us that he is not sure it is his liver. He knows he is sick, but he refuses to see a doctor out of spite, even though he knows that in pursuing this spiteful behavior he is only in hurting himself.

What is the underground man against?

The Fallacies of Rationalism and Utopianism Throughout the novel, the Underground Man makes a convincing case against the “rational egoists” and utopian socialists of his era, who claimed that the application of reason alone could perfect the world.

What is the social purpose of pain and suffering According to the Underground Man?

In Notes from the Underground, the Underground man argues that suffering is enjoyable – even a toothache. The pleasure, he says, comes when you are intensely conscious of your pain, adding that it’s enjoyable to make others suffer with you. Suffering is necessary, he continues, because it leads to consciousness.

What is the Underground Man according to Dostoevsky?

Dostoevsky says that the Underground Man, though a fictional character, is representative of certain people who “not only may but must exist in our society, taking under consideration the circumstances under which our society has generally been formed.” The Underground Man is extremely alienated from the society in which he lives.

How does the Underground Man feel about himself?

Feeling himself to be inferior to more active, less intelligent people, the Underground Man goes through life full of shame and self-loathing. This feeling of inadequacy before others is enhanced by the fact that, as an orphan, he has never had normal, loving relationships with other people.

How does skepticism cripple the Underground Man?

This skepticism cripples him and keeps him from participating in “life” as other people do. The Underground Man constantly analyzes and second-guesses every thought and feeling he has. He is therefore incapable of making decisions about anything.

Is 27 a good age to start building a life?

You just have to do the best you can with what you have. And 27 isn’t that old, you know. Most people above 35 wish they could turn time back and be 27 again. You are still young to “build” the life you want, you just have to start taking action. You have to believe in yourself and your potential.