Beginning on page 97 of A Hero of Our Time, a June 5th diary entry marks one of the sections in the chapter, “Princess Mary.” Throughout the novel, more information is uncovered about Pechorin and how he views himself in his society. This diary reveals much of his character especially well because in “Princess Mary” as a whole, it is written from Pechorin’s point-of-view. Within this singular diary entry, several clues are revealed to take apart Pechorin for who he really is.
First, at an earlier point in the novel, Pechorin writes that he feels Grushnitsky was trying to write himself as the main character of a story. However, within this chapter, readers can see that Pechorin is doing the same thing in his own life. He writes, “Can it really …show more content…
In fact, the desire to humiliate and hurt Grushnitsky seemed to be his only motive throughout the entire chapter. He thinks of himself as a fatalist and views hope as an unnecessary part of life. As before, fate has “chosen” Pechorin to be the way he is. Mikhail Lermontov often alludes to the fact that society has molded Pechorin’s behavior; that the vices of Pechorin are the vices of the society. While that may have some merit in explaining how his behavior continues for so long, Pechorin takes advantage of this system with his traits that make him successful at doing so. Because his nonchalant attitude, honesty, wit, and engaging, “cold” charm make him an attractive and interesting person to the other characters in the novel. It would be reasonable to assume that another man without Pechorin’s special qualities would not be able to manipulate as well as Pechorin, to not write himself as a hero, and thus, not be able to navigate this system in the same way. Other people would not be able to get away with what Pechorin does. By allowing society to take the blame for his actions, Pechorin loses all personal accountability. He wins over Mary, so much so, that all the other suitors and Grushnitsky seem boring and uninspiring by comparison. With no attentions to actually develop feelings for her, …show more content…
He is no longer a rebellious, superfluous, man, but instead reduces himself to just being an antagonistic force with no real meaning in life. In this moment, his true persona is revealed for a very short amount of time, as he slips in his orchestration of himself. Pechorin is a parasite whose sole enjoyment comes from the pain, harm, and misery that he inflicts upon other people. He reveals himself as a skilled and practiced manipulator, and a man who often takes advantage of other people. Right here, Pechorin admits to himself and his readers that he not just enjoys, but lives to masquerade as a hero, as an ally and friend, only to cruelly betray or lead someone
First, at an earlier point in the novel, Pechorin writes that he feels Grushnitsky was trying to write himself as the main character of a story. However, within this chapter, readers can see that Pechorin is doing the same thing in his own life. He writes, “Can it really …show more content…
In fact, the desire to humiliate and hurt Grushnitsky seemed to be his only motive throughout the entire chapter. He thinks of himself as a fatalist and views hope as an unnecessary part of life. As before, fate has “chosen” Pechorin to be the way he is. Mikhail Lermontov often alludes to the fact that society has molded Pechorin’s behavior; that the vices of Pechorin are the vices of the society. While that may have some merit in explaining how his behavior continues for so long, Pechorin takes advantage of this system with his traits that make him successful at doing so. Because his nonchalant attitude, honesty, wit, and engaging, “cold” charm make him an attractive and interesting person to the other characters in the novel. It would be reasonable to assume that another man without Pechorin’s special qualities would not be able to manipulate as well as Pechorin, to not write himself as a hero, and thus, not be able to navigate this system in the same way. Other people would not be able to get away with what Pechorin does. By allowing society to take the blame for his actions, Pechorin loses all personal accountability. He wins over Mary, so much so, that all the other suitors and Grushnitsky seem boring and uninspiring by comparison. With no attentions to actually develop feelings for her, …show more content…
He is no longer a rebellious, superfluous, man, but instead reduces himself to just being an antagonistic force with no real meaning in life. In this moment, his true persona is revealed for a very short amount of time, as he slips in his orchestration of himself. Pechorin is a parasite whose sole enjoyment comes from the pain, harm, and misery that he inflicts upon other people. He reveals himself as a skilled and practiced manipulator, and a man who often takes advantage of other people. Right here, Pechorin admits to himself and his readers that he not just enjoys, but lives to masquerade as a hero, as an ally and friend, only to cruelly betray or lead someone