Notes from the Underground, Part 1, Part V summary
Part 1, Part V of 22 · Part 1: Underground · 7 min to read the part
In V, the narrator pursues his dinner companions by sledge, planning to slap Zverkov and force a duel despite recognizing the absurdity of his fantasies. He finds them gone from the establishment, feels relieved, and approaches a young woman while taking pleasure in how repulsive he looks.
What happens
- The narrator hires a sledge and feels fresh humiliation at the thought of Simonov’s six roubles.
- During the ride, he imagines slapping Zverkov, enduring a beating, and arranging a duel without friends or weapons.
- He invents a long revenge scene, recognizes its literary sources, and briefly stops the sledge in shame.
- He resumes the journey, strikes the driver, and arrives determined to carry out the slap.
- Finding his companions gone, he feels relieved and turns his attention to a grave young woman.
- He sees his own angry, disordered appearance in a mirror and welcomes the thought of repelling her.
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Les Carnets du sous-sol, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Commencez 90 jours gratuitsNothing to pay today. 0,14 USD a day in the first year, then 0,27 USD a day.
In this part
Quick check
Why does the narrator not slap Zverkov?
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Les Carnets du sous-sol, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Commencez 90 jours gratuitsNothing to pay today. 0,14 USD a day in the first year, then 0,27 USD a day.
200,000+ classics to read, hear and hold
15-minute summaries today, eBooks and audiobooks as each book opens, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Try 3 months free
