Can we take a minute just to discuss how well The Underground Man works as a dark comedy? This novel was hilarious! The story begins with our nameless narrator's monologue, where he explains his acute understanding of the universe; how focused and clear his insight is of the world around him, and how innately angry he is at life for being anything but perfect. Two plus two equals five! Five! His rant was hilarious from start to finish- so over-the-top and ridiculous I couldn't help but laugh. He hyperbolizes such minute trivialities that it turns a serious rant into a comedic piece.
When we get into the story of the winter, he visits old colleagues who despise him. They absolutely torture him, making fun of his lisp, ostracizing him from the party, and leaving him for whores. He fights for their attention by trying desperately to give a good toast (to Zverkov, who he has already told us is his arch enemy). He fails terribly. He finds himself pacing, sweating drunk for two hours while they talk and revel in their brotherhood.
Finally, he ends up getting into a long conversation with a hooker he meets, who, to his lack of awareness, is sitting and patiently putting up with him while he speaks for two complete pages. Is there any more of an epic fail of someone who pays for sex, and then still can't perform? The narrator is such a pitiable character!
Which brings me to my next point. He is not tragic, according to Aristotle, because for him, the tragic character is both pitiable and fearful. I am not afraid of the Underground Man, unless he were to ever one day snap and go on a killing spree. For the time being, Underground Man seems to be pacified enough to be safe.
Either way, I love this character, and this was my favorite piece we read all year. I identified with him as being pitiable, and felt very sorry for him. Like a sad puppy. I just wanted to give him a hug, like Lunberry said. This was a great book and a fun read. Loved it.
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