“Notes from Underground” is based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novella from 1864. The main character suffers from both the superiority complex and the inferiority complex at the same time. He is more of an anti-hero than a hero, writing his confessions in order to challenge the society’s deep-rooted understanding of the universal goodness and rationality of the humankind. This novella is considered one of Dostoevsky’s most important works that has influenced many philosophers and writers across different eras.

Rainer Sarnet: “Dostoevsky depicts a person who considers himself the smartest and the most wicked, the most sensitive and the most egoistic. He tells a story of megalomania and complexes, the contradictions between Russia and Europe, and the intertwined mess of rationality and irrationality that steers politics and people’s lives as well as love. Dostoevsky creates a world where love is the commander. Letting go of love is the greatest danger and fight – should I hold on to it or let it go? The mind can say we should hold on to love, even when we have perhaps let go of it already. We destroy everything and yet think we are moving towards the truth.”