A Hero of Our Time as a call out to society
By Nela Piwonska
Pechorin, the protagonist of the novel A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov, is a typical
Byronic hero. He is arrogant, cynical, and manipulative. All of Pechorin’s (mostly negative)
character traits drive the plot of the novel. They put him in risky situations, and his actions
elicit hostile responses towards him. Hence, Mikhail Lermontov criticizes a certain type of
person in society. In short, the plot of the novel relies on Pechorin’s characteristics, such as
curiosity, nihilism, and arrogance, which the author condemnes.
Pechorin’s curiosity plays a major part in the course of events. In Taman, he is eager to find
out where the blind boy is going, so he follows him. In Princess Mary, Pechorin pursues the
princess to find out in what way Grushinitsky will drive her away, and he is eager to notice
when the princess starts to like him. He also discovers the scheme against him and decides
not to say anything, because he is curious as to what will happen and how he might
elegantly hurt and manipulate Grushinitsky and the dragoon captain. In The Fatalist,
Pechorin is keen to find out if predestination exists, which is why he bets against it with
Vulich. This question triggers the upcoming events of the evening.
All these scenes have a negative effect on the reader due to the fact that Pechorin gets
himself into dangerous or uncomfortable situations due to his curiosity. Thus, the author
shows the negative effects of curiosity and dissuades the reader to be snoopy. Mikhail
Lermontov criticizes society, due to the fact that they pry into others business and are nosy,
just like Pechorin. As a result, people get into troublesome situations.
Pechorin is a nihilist, which also influences the course of events of the novel. He does not
care about anything or anyone, so he acts out of boredom. That is why he duels with
Grushinitsky or why he pursues so many women. His boredom is also the reason for his bet
on predestination. Pechorin’s nihilism causes him to reject standards, he is blunt towards
Princess Mary and does not care about etiquette because he wants to amuse himself and
make life more interesting. His ignorance of the fear of death is also characteristic of
nihilistic traits. In The Fatalist, Pechorin goes into the cell with the murderer. He is not afraid
of death, but he is also convinced that he will survive.
Nihilism is also one of Lermontov’s critiques on society. He warns against being too flippant,
suggesting that Pechorin is nihilistic and cynical, doing things out of boredom and
disrespect, leading to dangerous situations. Lermontov judges society for being too impolite
and ignorant. Those traits cause Princess Mary to fall in love with Pechorin, but in the end
he does not love her, which leaves both the princess and him in agony, because Pechorin
cannot be with Vera, his real love, as she is married. The author argues that ignorance
stemming from nihilism creates pain and confusion that is deeply embedded in society.
Arrogance and manipulation are crucial traits of Pechorin’s character, because they drive
the plot of the novel. For one, Pechorin feels superior to everyone else. For this reason, he
disrespects Princess Mary and plays with Grushinitsky. Pechorin's arrogance also makes him
ignorant and shallow. In Bela, he must have the chief’s youngest daughter, because Kazbich
wants her. At first, Pechorin does not have any feelings for Bela, though she is pretty, he
wants her for his shallow need of being better than Kazbich. Pechorin’s commitment to
satisfy his own needs makes him play around with people out of boredom. This aspect also
plays in on Pechorin being a nihilist.
Once again, Mikhail Lermontov criticizes society for being like Pechorin. Lermontov believes
that society is arrogant and ignorant. In A Hero of Our Time, he shows the consequences of
having those traits through Pechorin. Pechorin’s feeling of superiority brings a certain dislike
about him. Most of the people in the novel avoid and, in Grushinitsky’s case, loathe him.
This fact is displeasing to society, as their need is to be cherished and admired. These traits
are the only traits that Pechorin and society do not share. Pechorin does not care for
popularity. However, the author’s critique is clear: being like Pechorin, which means
manipulative and ignorant, brings trouble and hatred to society.
In closing, Mikhail Lermontov criticizes society through his protagonist Pechorin in the novel
A Hero of Our Time. Pechorin, the Byronic Hero, is curious, a nihilist and arrogant and
manipulative. According to Lermontov, all these qualities, which play a major part in the plot
of the novel, are ingrained in society. Lermontov criticises these traits by showing the
consequences of Pechorin acting according to them. The outcome is mostly a dangerous or
uncomfortable situation. Pechorin can also get into troublesome conversations and leaves
them being disliked by others. These results come off as a warning to society, not to be like
Pechorin. Hence, Mikhail Lermontov’s A Hero of Our Time is a call out to society to change
its ways.