Analysis Of Dostoevsky's Notes From The Underground

From reading the first paragraph of Notes from the Underground, the Underground Man portrays himself as “sick” and “wicked” (3). This shows how he is aware of his current state of being. Furthermore, he apparently has a sickness and does not want to consult a doctor as Dostoevsky writes, “I am not being treated and never have been, though I respect medicine and doctors” (3). This quote gives a sense that he lives under a rock because he is not seeking help for what he believes is a problem. He respects the art of medical treatment, but perhaps he does not have access to it. On one hand, relating this idea back to his name Underground Man might suggest that he is trapped underground. On the other hand, he might feel trapped mentally because