The Underground Man

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Notes from the Underground is a novel written by Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. In this book, Dostoyevsky illustrated his ideals through the words of his literary protagonist, the Underground Man. The Underground Man strikes the readers as a person

, and one of the things that he abhors was the way in which progressive thinkers of his era worship reason. This was amusing because at the same time, he does not entirely reject reason. From analyzing the text, it is apparent that the Underground Man values reason, but he also sees it as incomplete and an underestimation of the power of free will.

The Underground Man’s

is not extreme, but quite moderate, because he does see values in reason, and he constantly exhibit logical thinking in his words. For instance, he emphasizes his role as an intellectual multiple times, and he often scorns the “stupid” for not thinking logically. He said, “I exercise myself in

every primary cause at once draws after itself another still more primary, and so on to infinity.” (Dostoyevsky, 12) This explanation of his way of thinking clearly illustrated logic and reason. Furthermore, he admits the importance of reason: “You see, gentlemen, reason is an excellent thing, there is no disputing that, […]” (Dostoyevsky, 19) As an

criticize of reason, he did not bluntly reject it. Then, he also said “Choice can, of course, if it chooses, be in agreement with reason; and especially if this be not abused by kept

within bounds. It is profitable and sometimes even praiseworthy.” (Dostoyevsky, 20) In this quote, the Underground Man said reason can be beneficial, if it can compromise with the other part of human nature, choice. In short, the Underground Man sees reason as necessary

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...hing to him. In another quote, the Underground Man summarizes the power of free will in an excited tone, “for the whole work of man really seems to consist in nothing but proving to himself every minute that he is a man and not a piano-key!” (Dostoyevsky, 21) This comment means because man do things that is against his advantage every day, he is proving to himself that he is a man, who has the power of choice, unlike a piano key, which is controlled by the laws of nature.

In Notes From the Underground, Fyodor Dostoyevsky offered readers a psychological and philosophical view of one of the most interesting and reflective protagonist of all times. As one the most main topics, the Underground Man was quite detailed and personal in his view toward reason and

the underestimation of the power of free choice, and lastly, a deep worry about the destruction of freedom.

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