Questions About Notes from Underground

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Answered Questions (9)

Hello :) So, what is the mataphor of the underground? Is it all the circumstances he is in and the position from which he sees the world? Everyone out there , above him , and he's under them, like watching life appart from them and feeling all those bad and angry feelings that make him happy at the same time? Thank you :)

James Spencer No, he's not literally living underground; he's not looking up through the cracks at the rest of the world. I think it is a metaphor for his alienatio…moreNo, he's not literally living underground; he's not looking up through the cracks at the rest of the world. I think it is a metaphor for his alienation from society while existing on the fringes of that society. In other words I agree completely with your understanding of Dostoyevsky's use of the phrase.(less)

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Is it true that Taxi Driver was based on this book?

Dustin Dye It is certainly not based on the book, as they are very different stories. But there are obvious parallels. They are told from the point-of-view of an…moreIt is certainly not based on the book, as they are very different stories. But there are obvious parallels. They are told from the point-of-view of an alienated, disagreeable loner, and involve his attempt to "save" a prostitute, which has little to do with her or actually saving her.(less)

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Did anyone find any difficulty in reading it? I had to wait for the perfect mood in order to go with his flow of thoughts, he goes so deep that you feel like you need to stop reading for a while in order to catch your breath back but once you understand it it stays with you forever.

Maria i feel the same. I'm reading it and I take time otherwise I don't process it.…morei feel the same. I'm reading it and I take time otherwise I don't process it.(less)

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Which is better- cheap happiness or lofty suffering?

Don's Bookshelf I guess the answer depends if cheap happiness is actually happiness

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What do you think when he questions, "Can a man of perception respect himself at all?"

Abhijeet Boche He thought that as a human nature ,one can see the flaws in others easily. But,for the man of perception,there is no me or other. He can see himself a…moreHe thought that as a human nature ,one can see the flaws in others easily. But,for the man of perception,there is no me or other. He can see himself as imperfect. Hence,the man of perception can't have respect for himself.(less)

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