An Existential Reading in Notes from Underground

Abstract

Existentialism is concerned with the idea of finding true purpose and meaning in life. It emphasizes the importance of freedom, responsibility and search for meaning in the pursuit of self discovery and life’s purpose. It often includes concepts such as Existential crises, courage, freedom and angst. Fyodor Dostoevsky was an influential Russian Novelist and short story writer. His works explore the human condition in social, spiritual and political atmospheres and his ideas influenced fields such as Modernism, Theology, Existentialism, literary Criticism and Psychology.He reflects on the importance of free will and individual choice rather than merely following societal norms and values. This paper examines Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Notes from Underground” in terms of existential angst and advocates for a life without fear and self doubt. It depicts on the experiences of the protagonist The Underground man, a self loathing and misanthropic man who is “too conscious”critiques society and his own existence with contradictory and introspective ideas.He believes that man is the ultimate source in finding true purpose and meaning in life and rejects utopian and rationalist ideas. The inner and external struggles which he confronted make him to accept everything and he claims that suffering is also a part of life which defines personal depth and human nature. Search for meaning and recognition is the ultimate things which he seeks to attain in his life but the chaotic experiences and alienation from his own self and society restricts him in attaining it. The critique of rationalism and Utopian ideals were deeply explored in the context of individuality rather than logic and reasoning.