Notes from Underground Character Analysis

The Underground Man

The unnamed protagonist of the novella, who is introduced as “representative of the current generation.” He is sick, spiteful, self-contradictory, and pessimistic, and his rambling thoughts and monologues make up the majority of the novella… read analysis of The Underground Man

The Officer

In part one, the underground man tries to get into a bar fight, and he steps in an officer’s way. The officer, though, merely moves him aside without saying anything, practically ignoring him. The underground… read analysis of The Officer

Zverkov

One of the underground man’s former schoolmates, an attractive and popular man whom the underground man particularly dislikes for his bragging and stories of romantic exploits. Simonov, Ferfichkin, and Trudolyubov throw Zverkov a… read analysis of Zverkov

Simonov

One of the underground man’s former schoolmates, whose apartment he visits one night when he feels lonely. Simonov, Ferfichkin, and Trudolyubov are planning a going-away party for Zverkov, and the underground man invites… read analysis of Simonov

Ferfichkin

One of the underground man’s former schoolmates, whom he sees at Simonov’s apartment and at Zverkov’s going-away party. Ferfichkin was the underground man’s “bitterest enemy” in school, where he was a show-off. After the underground… read analysis of Ferfichkin

Liza

A prostitute whom the underground man sleeps with after following Zverkov to a brothel. The underground man is disgusted with having had loveless sex with her and talks to her about her pathetic situation as… read analysis of Liza

Apollon

The underground man’s defiant, disobedient servant. The underground man tries to exercise his power over Apollon by withholding his wages and forcing him to ask for the money. However, Apollon merely stares at the underground… read analysis of Apollon

Minor Characters

Anton Antonych Setochkin

The underground man’s boss, from whom he borrows money multiple times.

Trudolyubov

One of the underground man’s former schoolmates, whom he sees at Simonov’s apartment and at Zverkov’s going-away party. The underground man says that Trudolyubov habitually treated him “as a nonentity.”