Kaylee Wednesday

            In the reading today, the narrator digs further into his inability to be a functioning member of society. He dubs all men of action stupid and limited. He explains that because of their limitations they take secondary issues for primary ones and make their decisions far too quickly because they are unable to understand another perception. In a sense, the underground man is seemingly criticizing these men, however he is ultimately praising them. He continues on in acknowledging their “infallible foundation” and minds at ease. At moments like this the reader must ask, “Who is the real fool here”? The underground man recognizes this.  He also continues to return to the topic of revenge and how the normal man acts out in revenge because he finds justice in it. However, a man like the narrator knows better than to believe it is for justice, it is solely a justification. The underground man cannot find a true reason for revenge that is one of the reasons why is left immobile.

            In the next chapter, the underground man wishes his inactiveness was a result of laziness because that would be a much simpler life for him to life. He calls himself a sluggard, claiming little self-respect. His rant regarding how he should have lived his life chasing and admiring all that is “sublime and beautiful” is (as he knows) complete bull. The underground man knows that he, along with anyone else would never be able to turn everything and sought after every sublime and beautiful because he knows that is impossible. This is because men do not always choose the most advantageous path. The underground man explains that men choose the more dangerous path because they crave distinction from the others. Then we are confronted with the question, “What is advantage?” Each and every one of us has our own definition, however most are predisposed in our minds. Our true advantages are not the ones commonly sought after, but darker and more harmful things. And the ones who openly oppose to the normal advantages are considered mad, when in reality most of us gravitate away from them in the end. Men have the tendency to work against reason and their best interest. This brings us back to our enjoyment in pain and suffering. The underground man does mention one advantage that is more important and most advantageous than all others – independent choice.