“A Hero of Our Time” was first published in the magazine “ Domestic notes", where it was published chapter by chapter. The literary critic Belinsky highly appreciated the novel; he was the first to understand that these were not separate stories, but single work, the intent of which becomes clear only when the reader becomes familiar with all the stories.
The novel's stories as a portrait of Pechorin
The chapter “Princess Mary” is the main one, since it most clearly reveals the specific character traits of Pechorin, for which reason the novel can be called psychological work. Here the hero writes about himself, which allows him to most fully express his emotional emotions. It is not without reason that the author pointed out in the preface to Pechorin’s Journal that here the reader is confronted with the history of the human soul.
Diary entries allow the hero to talk about what he feels and thinks, as well as blame himself for his sins. These lines contain clues to his character and an explanation for the strangeness of his behavior.
Ambiguous personality of the main character
It is impossible to say that Grigory Pechorin is only black or only white. His character is multifaceted and ambiguous. Reading about relationships with Bela or Maxim Maksimych, we see an egoist in front of us, but he is an intelligent, educated, brave egoist. He does not know how to make friends or love, but he perceives himself critically, without whitewashing his actions.
Gregory feels that his personality consists of two people, and one condemns the other for bad deeds. Egocentrism is combined with sober self-criticism, skepticism towards universal human values- with a strong mind, energy - with an aimless existence.
Coldness of feelings as a product of the era
The book shows us Pechorin's relationships in love and friendship. Sometimes this is passionate love, next hand in hand with death, pursuit, war, deception (“Bela”), sometimes romantic and mysterious (“Taman”), sometimes tragic (“Princess Mary”). Friendship is shown with peers - for example, with Grushnitsky, or with an old officer. But every story shows him not being up to par.
Gregory is not flawed, he is just a product of his era, the result of upbringing in that suffocating social and psychological climate surrounding society. Here people are raised who do not know how to value the feelings of others, who do not know what living life. Lermontov does not condemn the main character; Grigory himself does this.
Social and psychological topicality of the novel
Chernyshevsky said that this book is directed against the vices of society - it shows how wonderful people under the pressure of the environment they turn into nonentities.
Senseless, deceitful, stupid - this is how the society of aristocrats appears according to Pechorin’s descriptions. Not a single living and sincere feeling can survive here; here ignorance and anger, arrogance and rudeness of the noble circle burn out life itself. Heroes cannot be born here, and those that exist eventually become indistinguishable from other members of society - without feelings, aspirations, goals, love and attachments.
The author shows that even the smartest individuals are devastated in this rotten environment. Pechorin's attempt to distance himself from society turns him into a melancholy, restless individualist, with increased egoism, from which not only those around him suffer, but himself as well. Lermontov draws skillfully psychological portrait representative of that era, realistically depicts society and castigates its vices, creating deep work socio-psychological orientation.
17.3.Why is the novel by M.Yu. Lermontov's “Hero of Our Time” is called socio-psychological in criticism? (based on the novel “A Hero of Our Time”)
“Hero of Our Time” is the first social psychological novel. It's also saturated genre originality. So, in the main character, Pechorin, traits appear romantic hero, although it is generally accepted literary direction"A Hero of Our Time" - realism.
The novel combines multiple features of realism, such as the conscious separation of oneself from the hero, the desire for maximum objectivity of the narrative, with a rich description of the hero’s inner world, which is characteristic of romanticism. However, many literary critics emphasized that Lermontov and Pushkin and Gogol differed from the romantics in that for them inner world personality serves for research, not for authorial self-expression.
In the preface to the novel, Lermontov compares himself to a doctor who makes a diagnosis modern society. He considers Pechorin as an example. Main character - typical representative of its time. He is endowed with the traits of a man of his era and his social circle. He is characterized by coldness, rebellion, passion of nature and opposition to society.
What else allows us to call the novel socio-psychological? Definitely a feature of the composition. Its specificity is manifested in the fact that the chapters are not located in chronological order. Thus, the author wanted to gradually reveal to us the character and essence of the main character. First, Pechorin is shown to us through the prism of other heroes (“Bela”, “Maksim Maksimych”). According to Maxim Maksimych, Pechorin was “a nice fellow... just a little strange.” Then the narrator finds “Pechorin’s journal,” where the character’s personality is revealed from his side. In these notes the author finds many interesting situations, which I managed to visit main character. With each story we dive deeper into the “essence of the soul” of Pechorin. In each chapter we see many actions of Grigory Alexandrovich, which he tries to analyze on his own. And as a result, we find a reasonable explanation for them. Yes, oddly enough, all his actions, no matter how terrible and inhumane they may be, are logically justified. To test Pechorin, Lermontov pits him against “ordinary” people. It would seem that only Pechorin stands out for his cruelty in the novel. But no, everyone around him is also cruel: Bela, who did not notice the affection of the staff captain, Mary, who rejected Grushnitsky, who was in love with her, the smugglers who abandoned the poor, blind boy to his fate. This is exactly how Lermontov wanted to portray the cruel generation of people, one of prominent representatives which is Pechorin.
Thus, the novel can reasonably be classified as a socio-psychological novel, because in it the author examines the inner world of a person, analyzes his actions and gives them an explanation.
Updated: 2018-03-02
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In the period from 1839 to February 1840, three new books were published in the journal Otechestvennye zapiski. Ella Lermontov: “Bela”, “Fatalist”, “Taman”. The entire novel with the general title “A Hero of Our Time” was published in 1840 and consisted of five novellas and short stories. They were arranged in the following order: “Bela”, “Maksim Maksimych”, “Taman”, “Princess Mary” and “Fatalist”. This construction of Lermontov's novel is one of its features. The fact is that the events do not actually unfold in the order they are presented by the author. Based on chronology, the stories should be arranged in this way: “Taman”, “Princess Mary”, “Fatalist”, “Bela”, “Maksim Maksimych”. By disrupting the chronology of events, Lermontov thereby achieved a great literary effect. In “Bel” the main character appears as some kind of mysterious, unsolved creature. This impression intensifies after the story “Maksim Maksimych”, slightly reveals itself in “Taman”, is fully revealed in “Princess Mary”, and a unique point in the revelation of Pechorin’s character is the short story “Fatalist”.
A special feature of the novel is that the hero is represented by three different persons, thereby achieving the most objective assessment of Pechorin. At the beginning, Maxim Maksimych talks about him, then he introduces himself through the eyes of the author, and then Pechorin reveals himself through diary entries.
It is worth especially noting the language of the work. Before “A Hero of Our Time,” Russian fiction did not know such a bright, brilliant prose language as Lermontov demonstrated. Belinsky said about this: “The whole story is thoroughly imbued with poetry, filled with the highest interest. Every word in it is so deeply significant, every position is so interesting, so vividly depicted! The syllable of the story is now the flash of lightning, now the strike of a sword, now pearls scattering on velvet.”
Lermontov's novel was also the first psychological work in Russian literature. L. Tolstoy once put it: “If Lermontov were alive, neither I nor Dostoevsky would be needed,” thereby recognizing that their sources of realistic and psychological image characters go back to the work of Lermontov.
The psychologism of the novel is manifested in the complex and contradictory actions of the main character, in his dialogues with other characters, in the description of his behavior, in his thoughts about his fate, purpose, aspirations, feelings, etc. Literally every action, every gesture, every phrase has an author's commentary that conveys their true meaning, in what psychological state a word is spoken, a gesture is made, an action is made.
Often the author, in gesture, in facial expressions, in action, reveals to the reader the hidden world of the characters’ inner feelings and experiences. We are not told what they are experiencing, but the intonations of the voice, the external signs of the experience are so expressive that we understand everything that is happening in the souls of the characters. Lermontov creates conditions so that the reader can guess what he thinks, how a person experiences this or that event.
Belinsky rightly pointed to the story “Princess Mary” as the main one in the novel. It's not just that she takes central place in the composition of the work. In this story, Pechorin talks about himself, reveals his soul. And it’s not for nothing that the preface to “Pechorin’s Journal” says that in it the history of the “human soul” will appear before our eyes. Here the features of “A Hero of Our Time” as a psychological novel are most clearly manifested.
In Pechorin's diary we find his sincere confession, in which he reveals his thoughts and feelings, mercilessly castigating his weaknesses and vices. Here is given both a clue to his character and an explanation of his actions.
Emphasizing the social nature of the tragedy of the generation to which Pechorin belonged, Chernyshevsky wrote: “Lermontov understands and presents his Pechorin as an example of what the best, strongest, noblest people become under the influence of the social situation of their circle.”
Pechorin is perceived by readers as a victim of his time. But does Lermontov justify his actions, his mood? On a sleepless night, on the eve of a duel with Grushnitsky, the hero of the novel seems to sum up the results of his life. “I run through my past in my memory and involuntarily ask myself: why did I live? For what purpose was I born? - Pechorin reflects. - And it’s true, it existed, and it’s true that I had a high purpose, because I feel immense strength in my soul; but I did not guess this destination, I was carried away by the lures of passions, empty and ungrateful; I came out of their furnace hard and cold, like iron, but I lost forever the ardor of noble aspirations, the best color of life.”
What bitter confessions! What we learn about Pechorin from his diary, from the stories of other characters, gives rise to an ambivalent feeling towards him. We cannot help but condemn Pechorin for his attitude towards Bela, towards Princess Mary, towards Vera, towards the good Maxim Maximovich. But we cannot help but sympathize with him when he caustically ridicules the aristocratic “water society” and smashes the machinations of Grushnitsky and his friends. We cannot help but see that Pechorin is head and shoulders above the people around him, that he is smart, educated, talented, brave, and energetic. We are repelled by Pechorin's indifference to people, his inability for true love, for friendship, his individualism and selfishness. But Pechorin captivates us with his thirst for life, desire for the best, and ability to critically evaluate his actions. He is deeply unsympathetic to us due to the “pity of his actions”, those actions by which he brings suffering to other people. But we see that he himself suffers deeply.
The hero of the novel says about himself: “There are two people in me: one lives in the full sense of the word, the other thinks and judges him...”. What are the reasons for this dichotomy? “My colorless youth passed in a struggle with myself and the light; Fearing ridicule, I buried my best feelings in the depths of my heart; they died there. I told the truth - they didn’t believe me: I began to deceive; Having learned well the light and springs of society, I became skilled in the science of life...” admits Pechorin. He learned to be secretive, became vindictive, bilious, envious, ambitious, and became, in his words, a moral cripple.
Pechorin is an egoist. But Belinsky also called Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin a suffering egoist against his will. The same can be said about Pechorin. According to Belinsky, “this is the Onegin of our time - the Hero of our time. Dissimilarity they are much smaller than the distance between Onega and Pechora.”
And it’s boring and sad, and there’s no one to give a hand to
In a moment of spiritual adversity...
Desires! What good is there to wish for in vain and forever?..
And the years pass - everything best years!
M.Yu. Lermontov
In the novel “A Hero of Our Time,” Lermontov poses to the reader a question that worries everyone: why do the most worthy, intelligent and energetic people of his time not find use for their remarkable abilities and wither at the very beginning of life’s impulse without a fight? The writer answers this question with the life story of the main character Pechorin. Lermontov masterfully paints the image young man, which belongs to the generation of the 30s of the XIX century and in which the vices of this generation are generalized.
The era of reaction in Russia left its mark on people's behavior. Tragic fate hero is the tragedy of an entire generation, generation unrealized opportunities. The young nobleman had to either lead the life of a social slacker, or be bored and wait for death. Pechorin's character is revealed in his relationships with by different people: mountaineers, smugglers, Maxim Maksimych, “water society”.
In clashes with the mountaineers, the “oddities” of the protagonist’s character are revealed. Pechorin has many things in common with the people of the Caucasus. Like the mountaineers, he is determined and brave. His strong will knows no barriers. The goal he sets is achieved by any means, at any cost. “That’s the kind of man he was, God knows!” - Maxim Maksimych says about him. But Pechorin’s goals themselves are petty, often meaningless, always selfish. On Wednesday ordinary people Living according to the customs of their ancestors, he brings evil: he pushes Kazbich and Azamat onto the path of crimes, mercilessly destroys the mountain woman Bela only because she had the misfortune of liking him.
In the story “Bela,” Pechorin’s character still remains a mystery. True, Lermontov slightly reveals the secret of his behavior. Pechorin admits to Maxim Maksimych that his “soul is spoiled by the light.” We begin to guess that Pechorin’s egoism is the result of influence secular society, to which he belongs from birth.
In the story “Taman” Pechorin again intervenes in life strangers. The mysterious behavior of the smugglers promised an exciting adventure. And Pechorin embarked on a dangerous adventure with the sole purpose of “getting the key to this riddle.” Dormant forces awoke, will, composure, courage and determination emerged. But when the secret was revealed, the aimlessness of Pechorin’s decisive actions was revealed.
And again boredom, complete indifference to the people around me. “Yes, and I don’t care about human joys and misfortunes, I, a traveling officer, and even on the road for official reasons!” - Pechorin thinks with bitter irony.
Pechorin's inconsistency and duality appear even more clearly when compared with Maxim Maksimych. The staff captain lives for others, Pechorin lives only for himself. One is instinctively drawn to people, the other is closed in on himself, indifferent to the fate of those around him. And it is not surprising that their friendship ends dramatically. Pechorin's cruelty towards the old man is an external manifestation of his character, and underneath this external lies a bitter doom for loneliness.
The social and psychological motivation for Pechorin’s actions clearly appears in the story “Princess Mary”. Here we see Pechorin in a circle of officers and nobles. “ Water Society” - the social environment to which the hero belongs.
Pechorin is bored in the company of petty envious people, insignificant intriguers, devoid of noble aspirations and basic decency. A disgust for these people, among whom he is forced to stay, is brewing in his soul.
Lermontov shows how a person’s character is influenced social conditions, the environment in which he lives. Pechorin was not born a “moral cripple.” Nature gave him a deep, sharp mind, a kind, sympathetic heart, and a strong will. However, in all life's encounters, good, noble impulses ultimately give way to cruelty. Pechorin learned to be guided only by personal desires and aspirations.
Who is to blame for the fact that Pechorin’s wonderful talents perished? Why did he become a “moral cripple”? Society is to blame, the social conditions in which the young man was brought up and lived are to blame. “My colorless youth passed in a struggle with myself and the light,” he admits, “my best qualities, fearing ridicule, I kept in the depths of my heart; they died there.”
But Pechorin - extraordinary personality. This person rises above those around him. “Yes, this man has fortitude and willpower that you don’t have,” Belinsky wrote, addressing critics of Lermontov’s Pechorin. - In his very vices, something magnificent flashes through, like lightning in black clouds, and he is beautiful, full of poetry even in those moments when human feeling rises up against him: he has a different purpose, a different path than you. His passions are storms that cleanse the sphere of spirit...”
When creating “A Hero of Our Time,” unlike his previous works, Lermontov no longer imagined life, but painted it as it really was. Before us realistic novel. The writer found new ones artistic media images of persons and events. Lermontov demonstrates the ability to structure action in such a way that one character is revealed through the perception of another.
Yes, author travel notes, in which we guess the features of Lermontov himself, tells us the story of Bela from the words of Maxim Maksimych, and he, in turn, conveys Pechorin’s monologues. And in “Pechorin’s journal” we see the hero in a new light - the way he was alone with himself, the way he could appear in his diary, but would never open up in public.
Only once do we see Pechorin as the author sees him. The brilliant pages of “Maxim Maksimych” leave a deep imprint on the reader’s heart. This story evokes deep sympathy for the deceived captain and at the same time indignation towards the brilliant Pechorin.
The illness of the duality of the protagonist makes us think about the nature of the time in which he lives and which nourishes him. Pechorin himself admits that two people live in his soul: one commits actions, and the other judges him. The tragedy of the suffering egoist is that his mind and his strength do not find worthy use. Pechorin's indifference to everything and everyone is not so much his fault as a heavy cross. “The tragedy of Pechorin,” wrote Belinsky. “First of all, in the contradiction between the loftiness of nature and the pitifulness of actions.”
It is impossible not to say that the novel “A Hero of Our Time” has the properties high poetry. Accuracy, capacity, brilliance of descriptions, comparisons, metaphors distinguish this work. The writer's style is distinguished by the brevity and sharpness of his aphorisms. This style is brought to a high degree of perfection in the novel.
The descriptions of nature in the novel are unusually flexible. Depicting Pyatigorsk at night, Lermontov first describes what the eye notices in the darkness, and then the ear hears: “The city was asleep, only lights flickered in some windows. On three sides there were black crests of cliffs, the branches of Mashuk, on the top of which lay an ominous cloud; the moon was rising in the east; In the distance, snowy mountains sparkled like silver fringes. The shouts of the sentries were interspersed with the noise of hot springs being released for the night. Sometimes the sonorous clatter of a horse could be heard along the street, accompanied by the creaking of a Nagai cart and a mournful Tatar chorus.”
Lermontov, having written the novel “Hero of Our Time,” entered the world literature like a master realistic prose. The young genius revealed the complex nature of his contemporary. He created a truthful, typical image that reflected the essential features of an entire generation. “Admire what the heroes of our time are like!” - the content of the book tells everyone.
The novel “A Hero of Our Time” became a mirror of the life of Russia in the 30s, the first Russian socio-psychological novel.
