Reading Notes | Week 10 | Part A

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Dostoyevsky: Notes From the Underground

Dostoyevsky 
Fyodor Dostoyevsky was born in 1821
He was 1 of 6 children in his family. 
His father was a doctor.
Was sent to a military academy in 1837 after his mom died. 
Married his wife in 1957 after falling in love with her. She was already married but her husband died. 
During the lowest point in his life, Dostoyevsky wrote notes from the Underground in 1864. 

Notes from the Underground
The speaker starts off as describing himself to be sick, spiteful, and very unpleasant. His liver is not healthy and even though he says he respects doctors he won't get treated. 
The "Underground man" is what he calls himself. 
The only reason he really kept his job is so he could eat, not because it gave him any type of satisfaction.

One part that stood out to me was when the author said, "'why, you'll be finding enjoyment in a toothache next!" you cry out with a laugh.
"well, what of it? There is some enjoyment even in a toothache.'" (Dostoyevsky 642)
I was confused as too why he said this but the more I thought he may have said this to make it seem like he could be pleased with anything. Even something as a toothache. 
We find out soon enough that the speaker tells these 'jokes' because he has no respect for himself. 

 It seems the speaker constantly contradicts his arguments, for example, "I am well educated enough not to be superstitious, but I am superstitious." (660)

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