Notes from the Underground, Part 1, Part VIII summary

What happens

1. The narrator borrows fifteen rubles from Anton Antonitch and sends Simonov six rubles with an apology that falsely blames drink.
2. He remains troubled by Liza and fears that a visit exposes his poverty and his false heroic appearance.
3. As several days pass without her arrival, he alternates between anger and fantasies of saving and marrying her.
4. He withholds Apollon’s wages to demand respect, but the servant’s silent stares provoke him into rage.
5. Apollon refuses to apologize or fetch the police, and Liza enters while the narrator threatens him.
6. The narrator retreats in shame, and Apollon admits Liza as the clock strikes seven.

In this part

What to notice

Liza sees the angry confrontation he does not intend her to witness. His retreat exposes the gap between his imagined authority and his shame.

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