Notes from Underground: Difference between revisions

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The second stage of the personality model is the [http://allpsych.com/dictionary/e.html Ego], which is responsible for keeping the id rooted to reality. The ego is based on the reality principle, which takes other people’s needs and desires into consideration. The ego also understands that being selfish may have consequences; so its purpose is to meet the needs of the id while taking into consideration the reality of the situation. One of the Underground Man’s only sane moments is during the farewell dinner. He suddenly realizes that he invited himself somewhere that he is not wanted. Consequently, his presence is ruining the affair and for just a moment, he faces reality. “Good heavens, these are not the people for me” I thought. “And what a fool I have made of myself before them” (Nabokov 122)!
The second stage of the personality model is the [http://allpsych.com/dictionary/e.html Ego], which is responsible for keeping the id rooted to reality. The ego is based on the reality principle, which takes other people’s needs and desires into consideration. The ego also understands that being selfish may have consequences; so its purpose is to meet the needs of the id while taking into consideration the reality of the situation. One of the Underground Man’s only sane moments is during the farewell dinner. He suddenly realizes that he invited himself somewhere that he is not wanted. Consequently, his presence is ruining the affair and for just a moment, he faces reality. “Good heavens, these are not the people for me” I thought. “And what a fool I have made of myself before them” (Nabokov 122)!


The last stage of the personality model is the [http://www.cla.purdue.edu/academic/engl/theory/psychoanalysis/definitions/superego.html Superego], which is responsible for introducing morals into the everyday situation. This stage is most prevalent when moral and ethical restraints must be addressed. The superego is also known as the conscious because it establishes the belief of right and wrong. The last scene of the play is when the Underground Man finally feels regret for his behavior. After Liza is gone, he realizes that he wanted her to stay, but it’s too late. “The Underground Man is distraught and wants to beg her forgiveness. He declares that he will never remember this moment with indifference. A moment later, though, he convinces himself that Liza will be purified and elevated by the hatred and forgiveness that his insult will inspire in her. At the same time, he is conscious of the literary merit of his own thoughts, and feels ashamed that he is focusing on that literary merit rather than on Liza’s welfare” (Spark Notes). The last scene with Liza takes the Underground Man into a downward spiral that he can't escape. His conscious finally won.
The last stage of the personality model is the [http://www.cla.purdue.edu/academic/engl/theory/psychoanalysis/definitions/superego.html Superego], which is responsible for introducing morals into the everyday situation. This stage is most prevalent when moral and ethical restraints must be addressed. The superego is also known as the conscious because it establishes the belief of right and wrong. The last scene of the play is when the Underground Man finally feels regret for his behavior. After Liza is gone, he realizes that he wanted her to stay, but it’s too late. “The Underground Man is distraught and wants to beg her forgiveness. He declares that he will never remember this moment with indifference. A moment later, though, he convinces himself that Liza will be purified and elevated by the hatred and forgiveness that his insult will inspire in her. At the same time, he is conscious of the literary merit of his own thoughts, and feels ashamed that he is focusing on that literary merit rather than on Liza’s welfare” (Madden). The last scene with Liza takes the Underground Man into a downward spiral that he can't escape. His conscious finally won.


== Major Symbols ==
== Major Symbols ==
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edits