The Underground

The underground is never described but is referred to on several occasions. It seems likely that this is a state of mind rather than a physical place, but it's ultimately left to the reader to decide where—or what—the underground is.

Kopek

A unit of currency in Russia. At one point, the writer declares that he would sell "the entire world for one kopek" so that he could have peace.

Ruble

A unit of currency used for most transactions in Russia. The writer paid Apollon seven rubles per month as his servant.

The Most Advantageous of Advantages

Dostoevsky defines this as man's "own whim", his "untrammeled desire". While outlining the advantages a man has, this one is typically omitted but is, in Dostoevsky's mind, the most important advantage anyone can have and is the one that overrides reason.

Brazil

The place the writer...