Mikhail Lermontov

Pushkin was killed in a duel at 37. Lermontov, a fairly immature (and wealthy) poet himself, responded with an angry poem condemning the society that supposedly pushed Pushkin to his death—a fate Lermontov himself would meet at the age of 26, also in a duel. It’s worth noting parenthetically that Lermontov’s work is notable for its protagonist as well as for Lermontov’s lyrical descriptions of the Caucasus Mountains where the stories are set. The Czar had effectively banished him there for his poem about Pushkin’s death. Lermontov’s anti-hero in this work, Pechorin, is a classic illustration of the “superfluous man,” a type created by Pushkin and later popularized by Turgenev. Pechorin is a cynical, arrogant egotist…unattractive at best. A Hero Of Our Time is his story, told in five parts, out of chronological order. The first story introduces Lermontov (the narrator), who is traveling through the Caucasus and meets Maksim Maksimych. This new friend recounts a story about his acquaintance, Pechorin. That narrative tells of Pechorin’s kidnapping and seducing a young local girl and the consequence of these acts. The next story introduces Pechorin in person, making clear just how unattractive most of his traits are. The last three stories consist of excerpts from Pechorin’s journals: “Taman” (Pechorin runs afoul of a band of smugglers); “Princess Mary,” a very long section about Pechorin’s courtship of a woman undertaken at the request of a another woman whom he actually loves, a story that ends tragically for all; and “The Fatalist,” a very short story about destiny and death. It’s hard not to be impressed by these stories which helped cement Lermontov’s place in the Russian pantheon. (Nabokov’s translation, which I read, was the first English version and it contains an interesting foreword; I also have a collection of Lermontov’s other works, including poetry, and the introduction by that translator (Guy Daniels) disagrees vigorously and at length with Nabokov’s interpretations. I suspect both are overstating their case, but the disagreement is enjoyable to behold!)… (más)

Even though the title of this novel is" A Hero of Our Time" , some readers, especially women, will characterize the main character (Pechorin) as antihero. As for me, while reading the novel, I found a strong connection with the main character, and I must confess that many of the ideas he expressed resonated deeply with my own.

Pechorin, the protagonist, is a classic example of a Byronic hero. These characters are typically disillusioned, restless, and possess an intellectual superiority that sets them apart from society. They often engage in a self-destructive behavior out of boredom and a search for meaning. As the archetype of the superfluous man, an individual with exceptional talents who see himself as the victim of a cruel fate Pechorin's experiences and attitudes especially resonate with our contemporary society. His cynicism, apathy, and manipulate nature are damaging to both himself and his female lovers - Bela and Princess Mary.

The novel is unconventional, divided into five loosely connected parts narrated by different characters.This structure sheds light on Pechorin from various perspectives and challenges the reader to form their own understanding. Also, the significance of the different settings, particularly the Caucasus mountains, in shaping Pechorin's experiences and character play a significant role in the novel.

Romanticism vs. Realism: The novel combines elements of both literary movements. The romantic aspects of adventure, love, and nature is contrasted with the realistic portrayal of psychological complexity and social critique.

Morality and Choice: Pechorin's actions blur the lines between good and evil. It appears that he lacks autonomy or control over the choices he makes and despite his inherent goodness, his actions do not align with that nature.
Therefore, he is a complete victim of his circumstances.… (más)