What is the impact of the interchangeable relationship between the self and society? In Dostoyevsky’s Notes from Underground, an irrational and egocentric character called the Underground Man is presented to readers. “From the outset, Notes from Underground poses questions about what kind of human one should be” (Katz 633). Dostoyevsky portrays the Underground Man as someone who is trapped between two diverging lifestyles, just as Russians were trapped in between separate camps of thought belonging to the Westernizers and Slavophiles, needing to pledge allegiance to one side. Dostoyevsky assisted in bringing about the movement called “Native Soil” conservatism which would unite members the nation regardless of class status. Dostoyevsky is fluently
…show more content…
As he narrates, one can assume that his choice to share his life and feelings with readers is perhaps the closest emotionally that he has ever allowed himself to been with another being. Throughout the text, the Underground Man has a very conscious sense of his vices and virtues thus making him very aware Russian social climate. J.R Hall says, “The Underground Man sets out to 'explain' his idiosyncrasies. In doing so, he has recourse to a series of abstract laws of 'heightened consciousness' which in turn he sets out to elucidate for readers whom he presumes ignorant of them” (130). There is a possibility that because the Underground Man places so much stress on controlling situations as well as those around him, that he was mirrored after Tsar Nicholas I, the ruler of the Russian empire between 1825 and 1855. Tsar Nicholas “believed in exerting absolute power himself, and he imposed a regime of strict suppression, punishing dissenters, censoring subversive publications, and demanding allegiance to the Russian nation” (Katz 633). These characteristics are seen in The Underground Man as he does not adhere to standards of respecting authority figure as seen when he becomes obsessed with revenge against a police officer, the attempt to shame Liza out of prostitution which can deduced as his attempt to put an end to the act of prostitution (Dostoyevsky 658, 683-690). He also does not …show more content…
Tsar Alexander was a man seeking reformation for his people, placing an importance on eliminating the barriers of social class rank by doing things such as “the abolition of serfdom…trial by jury and modest forms of representative government” (Katz 633). Groups of people who supported Tsar Alexander’s reforms were called Westernizers looking to eventually gain rights and freedoms. While they are few, the Underground Man does have moments of compassion and emotion. When discussing the idea of reform (Dostoyevsky 649-652), the Underground Man tries to allow himself to become human enough to appreciate the aesthetic portions of life, but later realizes his attempt, and quickly attacks, rebukes his thoughts. This act also correlates with Dostoyevsky’s relationship with Nicolas Chernyshevsky. “There appears at first sight to be much evidence to suggest that Dostoyevsky was not particularly favorably disposed towards Chernyshevsky and his faction” (Offord 511). Chernyshevsky wrote a work titled What Is To Be Done? In response, Dostoyevsky published Notes From Underground. Chernyshevsky’s work suggested that complete revolution must take place in order for the Russian nation to prevail. While Dostoyevsky did not agree with Chernyshevsky, who can be classified as a radical Westernizer,
As he narrates, one can assume that his choice to share his life and feelings with readers is perhaps the closest emotionally that he has ever allowed himself to been with another being. Throughout the text, the Underground Man has a very conscious sense of his vices and virtues thus making him very aware Russian social climate. J.R Hall says, “The Underground Man sets out to 'explain' his idiosyncrasies. In doing so, he has recourse to a series of abstract laws of 'heightened consciousness' which in turn he sets out to elucidate for readers whom he presumes ignorant of them” (130). There is a possibility that because the Underground Man places so much stress on controlling situations as well as those around him, that he was mirrored after Tsar Nicholas I, the ruler of the Russian empire between 1825 and 1855. Tsar Nicholas “believed in exerting absolute power himself, and he imposed a regime of strict suppression, punishing dissenters, censoring subversive publications, and demanding allegiance to the Russian nation” (Katz 633). These characteristics are seen in The Underground Man as he does not adhere to standards of respecting authority figure as seen when he becomes obsessed with revenge against a police officer, the attempt to shame Liza out of prostitution which can deduced as his attempt to put an end to the act of prostitution (Dostoyevsky 658, 683-690). He also does not …show more content…
Tsar Alexander was a man seeking reformation for his people, placing an importance on eliminating the barriers of social class rank by doing things such as “the abolition of serfdom…trial by jury and modest forms of representative government” (Katz 633). Groups of people who supported Tsar Alexander’s reforms were called Westernizers looking to eventually gain rights and freedoms. While they are few, the Underground Man does have moments of compassion and emotion. When discussing the idea of reform (Dostoyevsky 649-652), the Underground Man tries to allow himself to become human enough to appreciate the aesthetic portions of life, but later realizes his attempt, and quickly attacks, rebukes his thoughts. This act also correlates with Dostoyevsky’s relationship with Nicolas Chernyshevsky. “There appears at first sight to be much evidence to suggest that Dostoyevsky was not particularly favorably disposed towards Chernyshevsky and his faction” (Offord 511). Chernyshevsky wrote a work titled What Is To Be Done? In response, Dostoyevsky published Notes From Underground. Chernyshevsky’s work suggested that complete revolution must take place in order for the Russian nation to prevail. While Dostoyevsky did not agree with Chernyshevsky, who can be classified as a radical Westernizer,