Don't be so predictable!

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Though he clearly states that the Underground Man is not himself, Dostoyevsky seems to voice many of his own opinions through this protagonist. I took time to research Mr. D a little and found that he, like the Underground Man, was strongly against the dogmatic ideals of Russia at the time he lived there; he didn't appreciate the view that all humanity and its problems could be generalized, that one statement would be true about every person. We observe this when he begins to discourse against the idea that man's most advantageous action is that which is for his well-being. This is why man is unpredictable, he reasons, "the meaning of man's life consists in proving to himself every minute that he's a man and not a piano key"(108). This is to say man hates to be predictable, so he will go out of his way to escape the imaginary times-tables D speaks of in order to remain human, not a machine. I think the narrator offers some interesting points, I just think that this train-of-thought style writing is somewhat hard to follow, although I'm sure that's how it is intended to be.

PS I commented on Will's post

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 13, 2017 at 4:06 PM

    However, as he states man's meaning in proving his humanity, he seemingly declares that there is no greater purpose to the workings of nature and the world. This is hopelessness to me.

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  2. Trey NorthcuttNovember 13, 2017 at 4:27 PM

    I can see how he projected some of himself into the fictitious author - it makes sense that he'd want to speak out against the Russian government. I think the Underground Man strives to be unpredictable, but is stuck (literally) and can't get out of the slump he's put himself in.

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  3. Sophia ColbertNovember 13, 2017 at 4:33 PM

    This is a great fear, especially in American society. People don't want to be just a "cog in the machine," they want to make a difference in this world, even if it means quitting their job. So much emphasis has been placed on the individual that we are in danger of losing sight of the importance of community. Individuals are so creative and unique, and we shouldn't forget that, but we also can't forget that people cannot function properly on their own. Hence the crazy rambling of the underground man, who has lived alone for decades.

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