Ryan Cordero Day #4

           Despite all of the dense writing and complex concepts, Dostoyevsky describes a man who the reader can relate to. For example, the narrator is natural insecure, sensitive, and defensive. While having lunch with the other men he constantly feels judged for his quality of life and goes so far as to exclaim that he will pay for his own dinner. Although some of his feelings are slightly exaggerated, Dostoyevsky implies that the underground man is not completely welcomed among the group of men. However, despite being slightly unwelcomed, the underground man basically begs for the men’s forgiveness, which is relatable, no one likes to feel left out, which is way the narrator borrows money to go with the men to the brothel, and moreover, no one wants to be hated, which explains why the underground man insists on purposely losing a duel. Dostoyevsky provides a nice contrast in the underground man’s decision to follow the men to the brothel. Earlier in the novel, the narrator discusses a man’s free will as the greatest advantage, yet the narrator goes with the rest of the group because he feels it is his fate.