Notes from Underground · Chapter
Endnotes explained
The author's note explains that the diary and its writer are fictional, yet representative of a type of person that necessarily exists in contemporary society.
What happens
The author's note explains that the diary and its writer are fictional, yet representative of a type of person that necessarily exists in contemporary society. The first part introduces the character and his worldview, while the second part recounts specific events from his life.
Themes in this chapter
Alienation and Isolation
The author explicitly states that such a person as the Underground Man not only may but must exist in society, highlighting his alienation as a product of social conditions.
Characters to notice
- The Underground Man
The fictional author of the diary, presented as a representative of a generation still living.
Key passages
“The author of the diary and the diary itself are, of course, imaginary.”
The narrator and his notes are fictional creations.
Establishes the fictional nature of the work.
“Nevertheless it is clear that such persons as the writer of these notes not only may, but positively must, exist in our society, when we consider the circumstances in the midst of which our society is formed.”
People like the Underground Man are inevitable products of modern society.
Highlights the social determinism behind the character's existence.
“I have tried to expose to the view of the public more distinctly than is commonly done, one of the characters of the recent past.”
The author aims to reveal a type of person from the recent past more clearly than usual.
States the author's intent to illuminate a specific social type.
“He is one of the representatives of a generation still living.”
The Underground Man embodies a generation that is still present.
Connects the character to a contemporary generation.
“In this fragment, entitled “Underground,” this person introduces himself and his views, and, as it were, tries to explain the causes owing to which he has made his appearance and was bound to make his appearance in our midst.”
In the first part, the character introduces himself and explains why he necessarily emerged in society.
Summarizes the content of the first part of the work.
“In the second fragment there are added the actual notes of this person concerning certain events in his life.”
The second part contains the character's notes about specific life events.
Describes the content of the second part.