I extend my fingers toward the fire, yet I feel no warmth. May it burn me whole

I looked at the people around me with horror, and at the same time, I looked at myself with horror

Hello everyone. Previously, I have discussed my thoughts on the first part of Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground. The Underground Man is a contradicting character, which is most notable in the way he views himself: he thinks of himself as an intellectual and yet, is convinced that no man can comprehend his thoughts. This contributes to his inability to form a genuine connection with those he interacts with, and his disengagement from society is highly evident in this part of the novella.

In the second part of Notes from Underground, the Underground Man’s interactions with wider society, particularly on his reunion with his old school friends leaves a complex and tumultuous impression on readers. This scene is fraught with tension, as the Underground Man attempts to prove his worth to his friends simultaneously criticising them. He is keenly aware of the social pretensions and hypocrisy that he feels pervade society, and this interaction only serves to reinforce his sense of alienation through the portrayal of the complex nature of human relationships.

During his reunion with his old acquaintances, the Underground Man attempts to impress them with his intelligence and knowledge but fails to build a connection with them, leading to his exclusion and humiliation. He proclaims, ‘I am an old man, but I am very intelligent, attempting to assert his intellectual superiority and distinguish himself from those around him, though it comes off as conceited and awkward. His efforts to impress them only highlight his isolation and alienation, making him appear more detached from the social norms and expectations of the group. In addition to this, he laments to them, ‘You have no idea how much I’ve suffered from you people’s stupidity and arrogance’ expressing his discontent and tries to distinguish from the perceived ignorance and arrogance of his former acquaintances. The Underground Man’s attempt to navigate the social setting of the reunion by asserting his intellectual and moral superiority reveals his underlying insecurities and sense of isolation.

His old acquaintances view him with indifference and make little effort to engage deeply with his attempts at intellectual discussion. The quote, ‘I see you’ve become very learned and, I dare say, very smart, too’ carries a hint of sarcasm or insincerity, indicating that they see his attempts at intellectualism as pretentious or exaggerated. As the night progresses, their perceptions of the Underground Man shift to one of mock amusement and boredom rather than respect and genuine admiration for what he claims he is capable of. They talk amongst themselves, remarking, ‘What’s the matter with him? Is he ill or something?’, expressing their confusion over the erratic and abnormal behaviour of the underground man. This scene illustrates the social dynamics at play during the reunion, displaying how the Underground Man’s acquaintances perceive him as aberrant, which exacerbates his sense of alienation, which is derived from an intense desperation for social acceptance.

Despite his desperate attempts to fit in and connect with those around him, it is difficult not to feel a degree of sympathy for the Underground man. A pervasive trait in humanity is our propensity to contradict ourselves, especially when we fall short of the values we claim to embody. While avoiding an overly personal analysis of the protagonist, it is clear that his internal conflict—central to his adult life—will resonate with many people in the future.

Wanna hear more about social pretensions and hypocrisy in Notes from Underground? Subscribe to get updates! It's free, and I would love to hear your thoughts as well. 🤗 🤗