Notes from Underground — Part II A Propos the Wet Snow — Chapter V

The narrator bolts into the snow, framing his pursuit as at last “contact with real life.” Stung by taking six roubles from Simonov, he vows to compensate by action: to slap Zverkov instantly on arrival, even if it leads to a beating, a duel, or ruin.

During the sledge ride he stokes himself with elaborate scenarios—duel at dawn, securing seconds anywhere, even the director; if refused, a public scene at the posting station; even lifelong punishment culminating in melodramatic forgiveness—all while recognizing the secondhand, literary absurdity of his fantasies.

Shame briefly halts him in the street, but he angrily orders the driver on. Snow soaks him as he steels himself that the slap is inevitable “now.” He bursts into the house Simonov had warned to expect another guest, only to discover the group has already separated.

The absence of his targets instantly collapses his plan, leaving him strangely relieved and disoriented. Pacing, he notices a tall, simply dressed, pale young woman with grave, wondering eyes—overlooked by others here—and is at once drawn by her seriousness.

Seeing his own harried, abject reflection, he embraces appearing repulsive to her, savoring his self-loathing. His vengeful trajectory dissolves into a new, unsettling focus on the young woman amid his humiliation.