Notes from Underground

The novella features a bitter, solitary narrator known as the Underground Man, a retired government worker in St. Petersburg. His monologue is infused with a dialogic quality, reflecting his inner conflicts and mental quarrels with others. The narrative critiques modern Russian philosophy, particularly Chernyshevsky's ideas, while also challenging the concept of determinism, which he believes diminishes human personality and free will. Through this introspective exploration, the Underground Man articulates a profound rebellion against societal norms and philosophical constraints.