„Underground” as a phenomenon of culture. „Notes From Underground” by Fiodor Dostoevsky Cover Image

„Podziemie” jako fenomen kulturowy. „Notatki z Podziemia” Fiodora Dostojewskiego
„Underground” as a phenomenon of culture. „Notes From Underground” by Fiodor Dostoevsky

Author(s): Małgorzata Abassy
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature, Russian Literature, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology, Philology
Published by: Polskie Towarzystwo Rusycytyczne
Keywords: underground; Dostoyevsky;Notes from the Underground;Russian literature; Russian culture

Summary/Abstract: “Underground” is analyzed in the article as a metaphor of consciousness of Dostoevsky’s hero and, at the same time, as a metaphor of culture. Russian cultural model is a binary one — it is characterized by coexistence of antinomies and their everlasting struggle. Consciousness of the “man from underground” reflects upon this dichotomy. Analyzing of the “underground” in Dostoevsky’s writing allows observing important processes within Russian culture, like:— implosion of an individual consciousness and decay of creative impulses,— defeat of “ratio”— logical thinking becomes a trap and enslaves instead of leading towards freedom, it closes within schemes insted of broadening mind,— accumulation of spite.The author of the article concludes that if „underground” is a pathological state, then condition of culture must also be described as a kind of disease. Another thesis is that „underground” can be a transitive period, time for inner transformation of an idea before it is turned into action.

  • Issue Year: 2008
  • Issue No: 123
  • Page Range: 34-47
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Polish