Fyodor Dostoyevsky's 'Notes from Underground' delves into the psyche of the Underground Man, a character who challenges the rationalist and utilitarian ideologies of 19th-century Russia. The novella explores themes of alienation, despair, and the individual's search for meaning, while critiquing social reforms and philosophical movements such as nihilism and rational egoism. It is a seminal work that prefigures existentialist literature and continues to resonate with modern audiences.
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Dostoyevsky's novella, "Notes from Underground," was first published in 1864 and serves as a critique of 19th-century Russian society
Retired civil servant living in St. Petersburg
The protagonist of the novella is the Underground Man, a retired civil servant living in St. Petersburg
Represents a critique of the ideologies of the time
The Underground Man serves as a critique of the rationalist and utilitarian philosophies gaining traction in 19th-century Russia
"Notes from Underground" is divided into two parts: "Underground," a monologue presenting the protagonist's worldview, and "Apropos of the Wet Snow," which illustrates these ideas through his interactions with society
The Underground Man's introspection exposes the conflict between thought and action in 19th-century Russian society
The protagonist rejects the rationalist and utilitarian philosophies gaining traction in 19th-century Russia, highlighting the perils of social detachment
"Notes from Underground" serves as a critique of the optimistic beliefs and social reforms of 19th-century Russia, influenced by Western European liberalism and the reforms of Tsar Alexander II
"Notes from Underground" is recognized as a precursor to existentialist literature, exploring themes of alienation, despair, and the search for personal meaning
Nihilism
The protagonist critiques nihilism, with its denial of established moral values and search for meaning
Rational egoism
The novella also challenges rational egoism, which advocates for self-interest as the principal guide for behavior
The Underground Man's interactions with society highlight the novella's examination of social estrangement and the struggle to find relevance in a changing world
00
The book '______ from Underground' was written by the Russian writer ______ ______, released in ______.
Notes
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
1864
01
The main character in 'Notes from Underground' is known as the ______ Man, a former ______ ______ residing in ______ ______.
Underground
civil servant
St. Petersburg
02
In 'Notes from Underground', the protagonist's disdain for ______ and ______ philosophies of the 19th-century is a key theme.
rationalist
utilitarian
