"Hero of Our Time" - the first in our countrya psychological novel in which Lermontov reveals his inner world to the readers by analyzing the actions and thoughts of the protagonist. But despite this, the characteristic of Pechorin is not an easy task. The hero is ambiguous, like his actions, largely due to the fact that Lermontov created not a typical character, but a real, living person. Let's try to understand this man and understand him.
Pechorin portrait feature containsa very interesting detail: "his eyes did not laugh when he laughed." We can see that the inner world of the hero is reflected even in its external description. After all, indeed, Pechorin never feels his life entirely, in his own words, two people always coexist in him, one of whom acts, and the second judges him. He constantly analyzes his own actions, which is "seeing the mature mind at itself." Perhaps this is what prevents the hero from living life to the fullest and makes him cynical.
The most striking trait of Pechorin’s character is hisselfishness His desire to by all means arrange everything exactly as it occurred to him, and nothing else. By this he resembles an obstinate child who does not retreat until he gets what he wants. And, being childishly naive, Pechorin never beforehand realizes that people can suffer from his petty selfish ambitions. He puts his whim above the rest and simply does not think about others: "I look at the sufferings and joys of others only in relation to myself." Perhaps it is thanks to this trait that the hero moves away from people and considers himself superior to them.
Pechorin’s characteristics must contain andone important fact. The hero feels the power of his soul, feels that he was born for a higher purpose, but instead of taking up her quest, he wasting himself on all sorts of trivia and momentary aspirations. He constantly rushes about in search of entertainment, not knowing what he wants. So, in pursuit of small pleasures, his life passes. Having no purpose in front of him, Pechorin spends himself on empty things that bring nothing but short moments of satisfaction.
Since the hero himself does not consider his life to be somethingvaluable, he starts to play with her. His desire to infuriate Grushnitsky or send his pistol to himself, as well as the test of fate in the chapter "Fatalist" - all these are manifestations of painful curiosity generated by the boredom and inner emptiness of the hero. He does not think about the consequences of his actions, even if his death or the death of another person. Pechorin is interested in observation and analysis, and not in the future.
It is thanks to the hero’s introspection.Pechorin can be completed, as he himself explains many of his actions. He has studied himself well and perceives each of his emotions as an object for observation. He sees himself as if from the outside, which brings him closer to the readers and allows us to evaluate Pechorin’s actions from his own point of view.
Here are the main points that should containa brief description of Pechorin. In fact, his personality is much more complex and multifaceted. And it is unlikely to understand it can help characterization. Pechorin needs to be found within himself, to feel what he feels, and then his personality will become clear to the heroes of our time.
