Notes from Underground — Questions and answers

Read the full story

What physical ailment did the Underground Man believe he suffered from, as he introduced himself in his St. Petersburg apartment?

Choices

  1. He believed his stomach was ulcerated.
  2. He believed his liver was diseased. ✓
  3. He believed his heart was failing.
  4. He believed his lungs were infected.

Answer: He believed his liver was diseased.

From page 1

What concept did the Underground Man rail against, believing it would strip humanity of its freedom to choose, even to choose suffering?

Choices

  1. He railed against the 'Iron Curtain'.
  2. He railed against the 'Golden Age'.
  3. He railed against the 'Crystal Palace'. ✓
  4. He railed against the 'Ivory Tower'.

Answer: He railed against the 'Crystal Palace'.

From page 2

What was the specific incident on Nevsky Prospekt that caused the Underground Man to feel a profound insult?

Choices

  1. A shopkeeper refused to serve him.
  2. A group of students openly mocked him.
  3. A carriage splashed mud on his new overcoat.
  4. A robust officer had moved him without a glance. ✓

Answer: A robust officer had moved him without a glance.

From page 3

At the farewell dinner for Zverkov, what specific gesture from Simonov did the Underground Man interpret as a deep insult?

Choices

  1. Simonov offered him money for a cab. ✓
  2. Simonov ignored his attempts to speak.
  3. Simonov challenged him to a duel.
  4. Simonov openly laughed at his speech.

Answer: Simonov offered him money for a cab.

From page 4

After the disastrous dinner, where did the Underground Man finally track his friends, only to be rejected by Simonov?

Choices

  1. He tracked them to a tavern.
  2. He tracked them to a private club.
  3. He tracked them to a brothel. ✓
  4. He tracked them to a gambling house.

Answer: He tracked them to a brothel.

From page 5

When the Underground Man found himself with Liza, what did he begin to do instead of seeking comfort?

Choices

  1. He began to deliver a long, eloquent speech. ✓
  2. He began to confess his deepest fears.
  3. He began to ask her about her life.
  4. He began to offer her financial assistance.

Answer: He began to deliver a long, eloquent speech.

From page 6

What was the Underground Man wearing when Liza appeared at his apartment door, adding to his shame?

Choices

  1. He was wearing a torn and dirty suit.
  2. He was wearing only his underclothes.
  3. He was wearing his old school uniform.
  4. He was wearing a shabby dressing gown. ✓

Answer: He was wearing a shabby dressing gown.

From page 7

What specific, misguided gesture did the Underground Man make to Liza, intended to reduce their connection to a transactional one?

Choices

  1. He handed her a worn-out book.
  2. He gave her a small, broken trinket.
  3. He clumsily placed a five-ruble note on a surface. ✓
  4. He offered her a piece of stale bread.

Answer: He clumsily placed a five-ruble note on a surface.

From page 8

After Liza left, what prevented the Underground Man from following her to apologize and make amends?

Choices

  1. He was stopped by his servant Apollon.
  2. He was paralyzed by his profound self-hatred and inability to act. ✓
  3. He was interrupted by a knock at his door.
  4. He was too physically exhausted to move.

Answer: He was paralyzed by his profound self-hatred and inability to act.

From page 9

What did the Underground Man state his 'notes' were, as he concluded his record of bitter reflections?

Choices

  1. He stated his notes were a protest. ✓
  2. He stated his notes were a confession.
  3. He stated his notes were an apology.
  4. He stated his notes were a memoir.

Answer: He stated his notes were a protest.

From page 10