Karamazov Library discussion

Hello everyone, and welcome to Week Four of our Notes From Underground discussions! Welcome to our new members; thank you for being here.

In Chapter 4, the Underground Man turns his attention to the strange satisfaction he finds in suffering. Using the image of a toothache, he describes the kind of pain that demands to be noticed—not just by the sufferer, but by everyone around them. It’s not relief he’s after, but control, even if that control comes through groaning, blame, and quiet resentment. The result is a deliberate, self-inflicted misery—pointless on the surface, but meaningful to him.

This pleasure in something objectively unpleasant echoes the “wickedness” he described in Chapter 1. It’s not just about the pain—it’s about turning suffering into a kind of protest, a way to assert control in a world where he otherwise feels powerless.

I’d love to hear how others read into this chapter. The following prompts are just a starting point—feel free to add your own insights and respond to others, too.

Discussion Prompts:

1. What feelings or thoughts did this chapter bring up for you?

2. Did anything about Dostoevsky’s style or language stand out to you?

3. Was there a quote that stood out to you? Why?

4. Any developing thoughts on the meaning of the name “Underground Man”?


I’m looking forward to seeing what direction our conversations take!