Pechorin is a bored and self-obsessed officer, part of the Russian elite in 1830s. Lermontov presents him as an anti-hero who is willful, undertakes huge risks, is determined and yet is incapable of feeling deeply about any of the people he meets. He knows he is incapable of feeling empathy but doesn’t understand why. His conduct deteriorates as the novel progresses in the series of incidents in the Caucasus while his regiment is stationed there. He spurns the love of a young society girl, heartlessly kills a fellow officer in a duel and abducts a young Muslim girl and is responsible for her death.
This novel started the critiquing of Russian society that led to later writers like Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky.
Meg Dillon, convenor.
This novel started the critiquing of Russian society that led to later writers like Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky.
Meg Dillon, convenor.