Fyodor Dostoevsky - Notes from the Underground Dostoevsky’s novella is considered one of the first existentialist works. It features a bitter, unnamed narrator who reflects on society, individuality, and his rejection of social norms. This psychological work delves into themes of alienation, freedom, and the human psyche's darker sides, making it a cornerstone for understanding existentialist thought and Dostoevsky's explorations of morality and human suffering.