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| FYODOR |
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Died: February 9, 1881, Saint Petersburg
Quotes
Deprived of meaningful work,
Deprived of meaningful work,
men and women lose their reason for existence;
they go stark, raving mad.
We sometimes encounter people, even perfect strangers,
who begin to interest us at first sight,
somehow suddenly, all at once,
before a word has been spoken.
Oh those Russians!
"Notes from The Underground
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
ISBN 978-0-486-27053-1The first part seemed dry and repetitive to me but then I thought that might be a problem of reading late at night not having time to read with mindfulness. I was hoping we did not have to read part two, but we did. I really enjoyed Part Two - A Propos of the Wet Snow. I found it to be quite humorous.
However reading my highlights in part one I see the "loathsome truth" ( 74) being spoken.
A voice of frustration. Questioning. Opposition to the status quo. I appreciate it much better. He is "jesting against the grain" (22). Cynical
Keeping in mind that "Dostoyevsky believed that all human ills were the result of disorder and irrationality and could be corrected by an exercise of reason" (iii)
Consider the RUSSIAN mentality.
As Dostoyevsky is considered an existentialist he would be enquiring into what it is that makes us human. The thoughts, feelings, emotions and actions. Having an ability to reason but not always choosing to be rational. The importance is on the freedom to choose not choosing the perfect option.
At the time the book was published (1864) Reform (judicial) was taking place in Russia.
Free Will
THE UNDERGROUND MAN speaks from his hole
ideals, desires, doubt, jest, respect for suffering,
oppressive reminiscences, suspicious
"And that for the most foolish reason, which, one would think, was hardly worth mentioning: that is, that man everywhere and at all times, whoever he may be, has preferred to act as he chose and not in the least as his reason and advantage dictated." (17).
"(...) however wild it may be, ones own fancy worked up at times to frenzy - is that very "most advantageous advantage" (...)" (17)
(...) reason is nothing but reason and satisfies only the rational side of man's nature, while will is a manifestation of the whole life, that is, of the whole human life including reason and all the impulses." (19")
Underground Man proposes; reason has limitations based on order, tables, math, learning. Human nature is more complex with depths of conscience and subconscious. Choice for the individual is the greatest advantage . It may be more advantageous if choice is in agreement with reason however, choices in opposition to reason even choices for desires that are harmful, are still praiseworthy because they are free choices. U.G.M says that even if man had it all and was in a state of "bubbles of bliss" (21) he would "even risk his cakes" (21), risk it all (uneconomical absurdity) to "introduce into all this positive good sense his fatal fantastic element." (21) To prove ones point that they have free will they will curse their privileges. The 'process' not 'attaining' is what man wants. (22-23).
Real suffering is destruction and chaos (24). This would be a breaking down of barriers, obstacles - revolutions, even personal ones
Reference to the barricades, significant part of Les Mis ( 31). "They are fools" (31)
"Man is sometimes extraordinarily, passionately, in love with suffering (doubt, negation) and that is a fact." (23)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consciousness
Consciousness is the quality or state of being aware of an external object or something within oneself.[1][2] It has been defined as: subjectivity, awareness, sentience, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind.[
"Suffering is the sole origin of consciousness." (24)
"Consciousness is the greatest misfortune for man" (24)
"The enjoyment of the sufferer finds expression in those moans; (...) They express the consciousness that you have no enemy to punish, but that you have pain (...)" (09)
"(...) that hell of unsatisfied desires turned inwards (...)" (07)
"(...) luxurious inertia (...)" (09)
Mathematical certainty leaves nothing left to do or understand; only bottled up senses and contemplation. (24)
Who, What, Why am I? How does the world see me. What do I want?
Writing, a chance to be kindhearted and honest (28).
Part Two - à Propos of the Wet Snow
à propos
- " I am alone and they are everyone" (31)
I LOVE THIS
"But what made me furious was that I knew for certain that I should go, that I should make a point of going; and the more tactless, the more unseemly my going would be, the more certainly I would go." (45)
I was hooked, I laughed, involuntarily yet heartily, out loud.
I can appreciate not listening your reason and struggling with social etiquette.
I also found this very funny
revenge viewed as a stroke of genius! (35)
The amount of preparation UGM needs to prepare for situations is also very funny. Great time, thought and effort goes into what he will wear and what action he will take (he riles himself up) for a situation in which the other party experiences as completely insignificant.
For example the confrontation with the officer (36-38|). Despite the officer not responding a sense of triumph for "attaining the object" and keeping ones dignity ( 38) was celebrated.
Intelligence versus beauty and rank is important
conventional versus eccentric
cowards, slaves, rogues,
romantics (Germans and French, not Russians)
maintain ideals even in depths of degradation (32)
What are the standards?
U>G>M searches for equality with a drunk in a tavern (33).
Can't even succeed in getting a fight (33) or a duel (35) (57)
Be well dressed (37) to be equal - True today
gives a % to the weight of a stain - "that stain would deprive me of 9/10 of my personal dignity" (48)
UGM is a Charlie Brown but claims to be a tyrant at heart (47)
UCM dreaming and imagining a Vision of grandeur (40) of his superiority.
Brought back to reality by "plunging into society" (40) "(...) so I had always to time my passionate desire to embrace humanity so that it might fall on a Tuesday." (40)
UGM's plotting and planning is hysterical to me. If he's not following the common rules he is left to flounder around with his own rules but at the same time you can't escape completely. You must still function within the system.
he feels; impelled to do anything
longs to show he is not spiritless creature as he seems to himself (48)
Public and private self
inward and outer self
fluctuates between despair and desire
Dinner scene with friends
"I longed all at once to insult them all in a most flagrant manner" (52)
feeling powerless and subordinate in this group of men, in status but not cleverness, UGM is angry and although he is included in the dinner he does not fit in and feels the need to rage. He wants to be recognised as clever not ignored even if he seen as absurd (52).
UGM is obsessed by what others are doing and thinking but he is constantly self reflecting on how he seems to others and himself.
He thrives on conjuring up grand schemes and tragedy, for example the challenge to duel and the preparation required before day break (57-59). He works himself into a frenzy of desperation that "no force could stop" (59). Graphically depicted in the sleigh ride.
He is a loose canon - he creates chaos so that he is engage in action and interactions.
similar to a child's negative behaviour for attention seeking but more thought out and deliberate. ie: dinner scene (52-56) "So this is it at last-contact with real life, (...)" (56)
Upon arriving into another scenario (the brothel) he is pleased to have "been saved from death" (59) and acknowledges being conscious of this but although his "thoughts are not quite collected" He moves forth into another interaction, this time with Liza.
A single, young, female, subordinate to him. in contrast to his friends
He seemed caring for his character, telling it as it is. The dark side not the fairytle version
A struggle with what is or what ought to be
what the possibilities and potentials are.
what the obstacles and hindrances are
Ideals, dreams, desires versus reality.
Where one fits in; being out of the norm or in the main stream
ideals of utopia or corruption
varying values and morals according to class and status
ending with a plea for people to look beyond cowardly good sense.
control, no control, how much control
confusion of a paradoxalist
The Underground may have been rampant in Russia, the East Block, in order to acquire objects of desire from the West. I know this was happening in East Germany and is happening in Cuba. The black market.
side note; Nowadays the 'market' in India is Kidney's for money.
The objects may signify (access to) freedom and free will. Importantly, in an oppressive regime, the freedom to act and think would be extremely important. Whenever something is outlawed, the patrons go Underground - think of the speak easies and rum runners.
In the 80's and 90's in Vancouver the alternative music scene and after hour bars would have been a part of the underground. Also, techno and rave parties in secret locations - Vancouver and Berlin etc...
Choosing to question and act contrary to the ideals and control of governments, mass media, the majority, and corporations etc...
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