The novella is divided into two parts. In the first part, the Underground Man discusses his philosophy and his thoughts on society and humanity. He rejects the prevailing ideals of progress, rationality, and utilitarianism, arguing that they are all ultimately based on lies and self-deception. The Underground Man believes that people are inherently self-interested and irrational and that they are driven by their desires and passions rather than by reason. He also argues that people are naturally drawn to suffering and that they even seek it out, finding pleasure in their own pain and the pain of others.
In the second part of the novella, the Underground Man recounts a series of anecdotes from his own life that illustrate his ideas. These anecdotes involve interactions with various characters, including a prostitute, a former schoolmate, and a group of government officials. The Underground Man uses these anecdotes to demonstrate how people are often irrational, contradictory, and self-destructive, and how they are often driven by their own fears, insecurities, and resentments.
Throughout the novella, the Underground Man is torn between his desire to connect with others and his fear of being rejected and humiliated. He is simultaneously drawn to society and repelled by it, and he is ultimately unable to find a place for himself in the world.
"Notes from the Underground" is considered a seminal work of existentialist literature and has been widely praised for its psychological depth, its exploration of human nature, and its trenchant social criticism. The novella has also been adapted into various forms of media, including film, theater, and opera.