ep contradiction in the UM's character: he is disgusted by romanticism, and yet succumbs to romantic fantasies. He also scorns these visionary fantasies, but distrusts societal rules as well. The UM is never able to integrate these two dichotomies.
             The UM finds Simonov already hosting two other of their school acquaintances, Trudolyubov and Ferfichkin. They are discussing a farewell dinner for another ex-schoolmate, Zverkov. They take little notice of the UM as he enters. The UM then give s us an extensive description of Zverkov--popular, very wealthy, now a successful officer in the army. The UM and Zverkov had never been friends, mostly on account of Zverkov's tendency to mock the UM.
             Stricken with the memory of Zverkov and his ex-schoolmates ignoring him, the UM invit
             ...