PART II À Propos of the Wet Snow

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X

NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND[*]

A NOVEL

* The author of the diary and the diary itself are, of course,

imaginary. Nevertheless it is clear that such persons as the writer of

these notes not only may, but positively must, exist in our society,

when we consider the circumstances in the midst of which our society is

formed. I have tried to expose to the view of the public more

distinctly than is commonly done, one of the characters of the recent

past. He is one of the representatives of a generation still living. In

this fragment, entitled “Underground,” this person introduces himself

and his views, and, as it were, tries to explain the causes owing to

which he has made his appearance and was bound to make his appearance

in our midst. In the second fragment there are added the actual notes

of this person concerning certain events in his life.—AUTHOR’S NOTE.