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Similes
Part 1, Chapter 7
Explanation and Analysis—Blood and Champagne:
In Part 1, Chapter 7, the narrator uses both a simile and a metaphor ironically, using a combination of three figurative devices to create a single sentence. Here, he discusses the idea that man has become kinder over time because of the evolution of civilization, although it is clearly untrue, as evidenced by the sheer amount of wars going on around the world:
[...] man has become kinder as a result of civilization; consequently, he’s becoming less bloodthirsty and less inclined to war[...]. Just look around: rivers of blood are being spilt, and in the most cheerful way, as if it were champagne[....]. Civilization merely promotes a wider variety of sensations in man and . . . absolutely nothing else. And through the development of this variety man may even reach the point where he takes pleasure in spilling blood. Why, that’s even happened to him already.
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Part 2, Chapter 6
Explanation and Analysis—Gentle with Liza:
In Part 2, Chapter 6, the narrative uses situational irony when The Underground Man describes his conversation with Liza:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Oh, I’m not interrogating you. What do I care? Why are you angry? Of course, you may have had your own troubles. What’s it to me? Just the same, I’m sorry.”
“For whom?”
“I’m sorry for you.”
“No need . . . ,” she whispered barely audibly and stirred once again.
That provoked me at once. What! I was being so gentle with her, while she . . .
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Part 2, Chapter 8
Explanation and Analysis—Apollon's Position:
In Part 2, Chapter 8, The Underground Man describes his servant, Apollon, treating him quite poorly in a moment of situational irony. As Apollon is the servant, the reader would expect him to defer to The Underground Man, but The Underground Man describes it as being the other way around:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[Apollon] treated me quite despotically, spoke to me exceedingly little, and, if he happened to look at me, cast a steady, majestically self-assured, and constantly mocking glance that sometimes infuriated me. He carried out his tasks as if he were doing me the greatest of favors.
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Part 2, Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis—Hatred and Desire:
In Part 2, Chapter 9, The Underground Man rebukes Liza after she comes to visit him despite caring for her, describing the situation using situational irony:
Unlock with LitCharts A+My eyes gleamed with passion; I pressed her hands tightly. How I hated her and felt drawn to her simultaneously!
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