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‘Notes from the Underground’ (3), was written by Fyodor Dostoevsky in 1864. It is considered by most literary critics to be one of the finest of his short novels. Thomas Mann**, for example, states, “In its content it comes closest to Dostoevsky's great and completely characteristic products”. In addition to its established literary significance it is also a contribution to philosophic thought. Kaufmann (6) calls it a forerunner of existentialism, because of its skepticism with regard to all complete philosophical systems and its plea for reliance upon senses and feelings without regard to abstract morality. The novel also represents an attempt at a strictly truthful ‘autobiography’. “Is it possible,” the main character inquires, “to be completely frank at least to oneself, and to tell the whole truth without reserve?” When it was first published, it apparently caused a sensation because of its unrelenting search into the author's own depravity.
The present paper*** is concerned with a psychologic