How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph). We used Constance Garnett's translation.
Quote #7
Anton Antonitch Syetotchkin […] was the only permanent acquaintance I have had in my life, and I wonder at the fact myself now. But I only went to see him when that phase came over me, and when my dreams had reached such a point of bliss that it became essential at once to embrace my fellows and all mankind; and for that purpose I needed, at least, one human being, actually existing. I had to call on Anton Antonitch, however, on Tuesday – his at-home day; so I had always to time my passionate desire to embrace humanity so that it might fall on a Tuesday. (2.2.3)
This is quite ridiculous. The Underground Man has to time his desire for contact, to schedule his bouts of human feeling to fall on any given Tuesday. This is another case of radical absurdity.
Quote #8
I'll go this minute!"
Of course I remained. (2.4.44-5)
If you've read Waiting for Godot (you can find it on Shmoop), then this line will look very familiar to you. Beckett's characters would suffer from the same paralysis of inaction as the Underground Man. In fact, they repeatedly say, "Let's go" and proceed not to move, just as is the case here. Now can you start to see why Notes is called an "overture" for existentialism?