Notes from Underground
Just last night, instead of studying as I ought, I had the pleasure and privilege to complete another Dostoyevsky masterpiece, Notes from Underground. Here's a story in which a man (and mankind) is portrayed in all his egoistic, petulant concupisance; a man mired in self-awareness of his utter wickedness, yet simultaneously this man is shown to so deeply understand, and even to a point to desire those things which man truly reflects the character of God. This man, in one existence, wallows in debauched self-destruction, yet poignantly, and all too directly is able to point out exactly what is wrong with his action, what he actually ought to be doing, and just how self-destructive his debauchery is. This man is at once a man to pity, a man to loathe, and a man to envy.
Indeed, are these multifactions of his character not descriptive of humanity from the time of Adam? Is man not so pitiable, yet blessed beyond full knowing? Man is so base, yet so able to reflect God's righteousness. These two seeming contradictions are presented in glaring, and resonant clarity in Notes, and I urge all those who read to avail themselves of the insight. For reading the Author's works are one of those pleasures most desirable: biting at your own heals with indictment, yet showing you the hope of true righteousness.
Posted by jeremy stock at February 25, 2002 06:20 AM