Notes from Underground
by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Notes from Underground: Style 1 key example

Key Examples in Notes from Underground

Part 1, Chapter 11
Explanation and Analysis:

The style of Notes from Underground changes drastically from Part 1 to Part 2. Part 1 has no narrative or characters beyond The Underground Man, but it details his philosophical musings and arguments. The only dialogue featured in it is between himself and the imaginary reader, where he justifies his positions:

Well, now, for example, someone might seize upon my words and ask me, if you really aren’t counting on any readers, why do you make such compacts with yourself, and on paper no less; that is, if you’re not going to introduce any order or system, if you’re going to write down whatever comes to mind, etc., etc.? Why do you go on explaining? Why do you keep apologizing?

“Well, imagine that,” I reply.