NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND 

FYODOR DOSTOYEVSKY 

PART I 

UNDERGROUND*  

*The author of the diary and the diary itself are, of course,
imaginary.  Nevertheless it is clear that such persons as the
writer of these notes not only may, but positively must, exist in
our society, when we consider the circumstances in the midst of
which our society is formed.  I have tried to expose to the view
of the public more distinctly than is commonly done, one of the
characters of the recent past.  He is one of the representatives
of a generation still living.  In this fragment, entitled
"Underground," this person introduces himself and his views, and,
as it were, tries to explain the causes owing to which he has
made his appearance and was bound to make his appearance in our