Existentialism
Notes from Underground, Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1864)
Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s, Notes from Underground, explores the philosophical viewpoint of Existentialism throughout the novella and it often considered one of the earliest and more influential existential works. Existentialism is essentially the belief that life is inherently meaningless and that individuals have to create their own meaning. It is a questioning of everything in life and the philosophy stresses the importance of free will over everything else in life. To tie this philosophical viewpoint to Notes from the Underground, are the qualities of existentialism such as the isolation of the character, the absurdity viewpoints on life and the view that life is essentially meaningless.
The theme of existentialism also encompasses the themes of the absurdity of life and alienation because of the narrator’s absurd take on the world and the isolation of the “Underground Man”. I don’t think someone thinks that life is meaningless without being alienated in some way from society. First off, the reference to the narrator as the “Underground Man” serves as evidence to his alienation from society and this “reality” that he creates for himself. Throughout the novella, the Underground Man finds himself in a continuous hypocritical position. On one hand, he despises the constructs of society and on another hand; he defines himself by this opposition to society. For example, the way that he refers to his previous employment as a civil servant emphasizes his suffering and he essentially blames society for this.
The theme of existentialism also encompasses the themes of the absurdity of life and alienation because of the narrator’s absurd take on the world and the isolation of the “Underground Man”. I don’t think someone thinks that life is meaningless without being alienated in some way from society. First off, the reference to the narrator as the “Underground Man” serves as evidence to his alienation from society and this “reality” that he creates for himself. Throughout the novella, the Underground Man finds himself in a continuous hypocritical position. On one hand, he despises the constructs of society and on another hand; he defines himself by this opposition to society. For example, the way that he refers to his previous employment as a civil servant emphasizes his suffering and he essentially blames society for this.