Please Define the Following Key Terms

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Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is The Underground Man is a fictional character and the protagonist of Fyodor Dostoevsky's novella "Notes from Underground" (also translated as "Notes from the Underground" or "Letters from the Underworld"), published in 1864. Here is a breakdown of the key aspects of the Underground Man:

Who?
The Underground Man is a retired civil servant living in St. Petersburg, Russia. He is an unnamed narrator who addresses the reader directly throughout the narrative. He is a complex character, often considered one of the first antiheroes in literature, and is characterized by his introspection, self-loathing, and paradoxical nature.

What?
The Underground Man is the central figure of the novella, which is divided into two parts. In the first part, he introduces his philosophy and worldview, which is marked by a deep sense of alienation, skepticism, and opposition to the rationalist and utilitarian ideologies of his time. In the second part, he recounts episodes from his life that illustrate his inability to engage with society and his tendency to retreat into his own mind, hence the term "underground."

Where?
The story is set in St. Petersburg, Russia, which serves as the backdrop for the Underground Man's musings and experiences. The city's environment reflects the broader social and intellectual climate of 19th-century Russia, which is undergoing rapid modernization and change.

When?
"Notes from Underground" was published in 1864, during a period of significant social and intellectual upheaval in Russia. This was a time when traditional values were being questioned, and new philosophical and political ideas were emerging, particularly those related to nihilism and utilitarianism.

Why Important?
The Underground Man is an important literary figure because he represents a deep critique of the rationalist and optimistic beliefs of the Enlightenment and the idea that human behavior can be understood and improved through reason alone. Dostoevsky uses this character to explore themes of free will, the nature of suffering, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. The novella is considered a forerunner to existentialist thought and has had a profound influence on later writers and philosophers, including Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus. The Underground Man's internal conflicts and his rejection of societal norms make him a timeless figure that continues to resonate with readers grappling with the complexities of the human condition.

Please Define the Following Key Terms

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