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Notes from the Underground 90%

The second half is a personal narrative.  We follow our narrator as he humiliates himself in front of a group of acquaintances.  We also follow his internal thoughts as all this is going on.  He knows he is acting absurdly but can't stop himself.  He thinks of the profound and the trivial--bouncing back and forth.  He makes up absurd fantasies in which he is debased but heroic.  The human mind and all it's capacities.

After this, we follow him to a house of prostitution where he meets Liza.  He preaches to her about the need to live a meaningful life.  She seems to pay attention. He invites her to visit him, then is in dread that she might visit.  This I found less interesting.  Wordy.

There is also a lengthy discussion of his relationship with his servant.  Power struggle without words over trivialities.

All in all, excellent.  Human condition in a modern society. Confused, often humiliated, lost.

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