Knowledge is Power

Over the break, I took an SAT class, and had to write an essay. I don't remember the question down to the very last word, but the gist of it was basically if great knowledge was necessary in order to challenge conventional ideals.

It made me stop and think for a second. Yes, knowledge is always necessary, but these ideals must be conventional for a reason. But then I realized that in fact, everything at some point will be questioned.

For example, no one would have every thought we could fly back in the 19th century. That was the conventional way of thinking. But the Wright Brothers, with their extensive knowledge on aerodynamics, proved them all wrong.

The point is, knowledge is power. Thoroughly and clearly understanding a topic is the only way to give yourself a chance to fight against conventional ideas. No, not all of what is challenged can be altered, but by all means will it be considered if it is presented with knowledge.

Whoever made the quote, knowledge is power, wasn't simply saying it to be famous or whatever. He/she said it with a purpose, and it is what allows society to continue to grow and change the way it has in the past.

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"-Albert Einstein

Underground?

"Notes from Underground", "The Underground Man". Common denominator? Underground. What is the purpose of the use of the word?

Underground-contrary to prevailing culture: separate from a prevailing from a social or artistic environment, and often exercising a subversive influence.

According to that definition, provided by the services of bing, underground seems to be a pretty accurate description of what Dostoevsky is trying to portray in the novel, contrary to how we believe the word "underground" as simply beneath the surface.

This Underground Man is definitely influenced in the ways he operates. He seems to run his life trying to impress and be accepted, clearly influenced by the desires of society.

So this whole "Underground" concept really does work. It's an interesting use of words, and it really fits the description of this man like a piece of the puzzle.

But then, there's the "notes" part. Notes-aren't they those things you write during class when the teacher is giving a lesson? Well, specifically, "notes" means a jotted record or summary. So, in conclusion, the title technically means the jotted record of someone separated from society who often exercises a subversive influence to society.

I would say that's impressively accurate, and on its own, gives quite the overview as to the personality of the main character in this novel.

Underground

Well played Dostoevsky, well played.

The Reality of an Underground Man

In Notes from Underground, author Fyodor Dostoevsky writes of this "underground man". This man is portrayed as one who is independent, strong, and powerful, but in reality, he is isolated, weak, and not necessarily powerful. The thing is, the Underground Man is not prepared to accept this reality. He uses scapegoats on himself to make it seem as if he is in complete control of his life. The first line of the novel states, "I am a sick man...I am a spiteful man" (1). It is as if he wants to gain an upper hand on the reader by beating the reader to the punch in calling himself a sick and spiteful man.

Reading this though, I came to a realization of sort. It's interesting to me how we all are bagging on this man for being the way he is, but let's face it, we all have a little bit of the underground man in us. We all strive to be independent, but for this generation, are we really with all the rules, guidelines, and eyes watching over our every move. It raises this question: Are we all underground men and women?

We all do things here and there to come off as strong and independent, and not to seem so "spiteful" and "wicked". We all want to be accepted into society, but in many cases, the reality of ourselves prohibits us from letting go the way this Underground Man does.

Even now as I'm writing this, I don't think I'm any sort of Underground Man, but as I think deeper into the bowels of my brains, I realize I don't want to come off as him, and that to a certain degree, we are all like that.

So maybe, just maybe, I can give this guy some slack throughout the novel, and accept him the way he is instead of judging him. After all, he might just be the genuine person that hides inside all of us.