Notes From Underground
My reflections on the novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. “The thought that Liza was coming worried me continually.” The extent with which the Underground Man has removed himself from human society, and the anxiety he feels at the thought of a visit from Liza implies that he has a social phobia or anxiety disorder. In addition to and as a result of his persistent isolation, the UM has found an inner voice which is incessantly reflecting and thinking in his head and never shuts up. It is this rambling, inexorable voice that constiutes the substance of UM's narration: “Granted I am a babbler, a harmless vexatious babbler, like all of us. But what is to be done if the direct and sole vocation of every intelligent man is babble, that is, the intentional pouring of water through a sieve?” Part of the problem is that UM is intelligent and has a pretty clear understanding of his plight and social inhibitions. However, UM is unable to apply this awareness in any practical way. In short, the UM ...