Notes from Underground · Character

Simonov

A former schoolmate who arranges Zverkov's farewell dinner and becomes the reluctant recipient of the Underground Man's frantic apologies and self-justifications.

supporting

Also known as Simonov

First appearance: II

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Simonov is the practical one, the man who collects seven roubles apiece and books the Hotel de Paris, tolerating the narrator without warmth and without cruelty. After the disastrous dinner, the narrator writes him a letter full of aristocratic playfulness and lies, begging him to explain everything away, and Simonov's silence or response will determine whether the narrator can pretend the evening never happened. He matters because he is the ordinary, functioning social world against which the narrator measures his own paralysis — and finds himself wanting.

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See Simonov in II

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because the Underground Man’s carefully constructed fantasy of power—where he woul…

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In the story

Simonov appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Part II: À Propos of the Wet Snow
A former schoolmate who invites the Underground Man to Zverkov's farewell dinner.
II
An old schoolfellow whom the narrator occasionally visits; the narrator senses Simonov's aversion but goes anyway, driven by solitude.
III
Former schoolmate who is surprised by the narrator's visit; he is organizing the farewell dinner for Zverkov.
IV
Forgot to inform the narrator about the time change, shows no regret, and later mutters that he regrets letting the narrator join them.
V
Mentioned as having given the narrator six roubles and having warned the brothel of his arrival.
VIII
Mentioned in passing; the narrator feels satisfied with his letter to Simonov, contrasting with his anxiety about Liza.

Chapter companion notes

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See Simonov in II