What is the tragedy of Pechorin? Teachers of the Russian language and literature ask their students from year to year to write an essay on this subject. In order to write it, it is not enough to read the novel by Mikhail Lermontov. It is also necessary to understand the characteristics of the society to which the great Russian poet and writer belonged.
Cruel time
Grigory Pechorin is a character who has vivid features of an “extra person”. But it is still impossible to attribute it to this literary type. What is the tragedy of Pechorin? An essay based on the novel “Hero of Our Time” presupposes a ready-made answer to this difficult question, no matter what topic it is dedicated to. Before you begin writing this written work, you should understand the specifics of the era in which Lermontov’s novel was created.
Grigory Pechorin is a typical representative of the nobility of the thirties. This period, historians are often called the "dark decade." After the defeat of the Decembrist uprising, the Nikolaev reaction progressed in the country. Any ideas with signs of free thought were severely persecuted.
What is the tragedy of Pechorin? The work of the young writer, which became the first Russian psychological novel, gives an idea of ​​what a thinker, aspiring to high ideals experienced in Russia at that time. The thirties of the nineteenth century is an era of timelessness. During this period, the best minds of Russia did not have the opportunity to direct their energy and strength towards achieving a high moral goal. Contrary to their desires, they were forced to vegetate in inaction.
Selfishness
What is the tragedy of Pechorin? An essay on this subject is easier to write if you first study the sources and “draw” a historical picture in your mind, against which Lermontov created his novel. But the character and individual qualities of the hero are of no small importance. How did the author portray his character?
An essay on the theme “The Tragedy of Pechorin” should begin with a characterization of the hero. And he is the personification of cold egoism. This trait hurts others, but is not congenital. Pechorin is a product of its time. The inextricable link between the character of the hero and the historical period described in the novel is the main idea on which the essay on the theme “The Tragedy of Pechorin” should be based.
Mind and talent
But selfishness, of course, is not the most striking feature of the character of the hero of Lermontov. The composition “The Tragedy of the Life of Pechorin”, as has already been said, it is advisable to start with the characteristics of this character. And if egoistic thoughts were all-consuming for him, he would hardly become the central figure of a great literary work. A brilliant mind and extraordinary willpower are the qualities that Pechorin possesses.
He is a personality not only extraordinary, but also very controversial. The independence of the mind and extraordinary energy - qualities that did not allow Grigory Pechorin to turn into a reflecting intellectual - a person belonging to the psychological type that has existed at all times. The hero of Lermontov is vital to act. He does not dream of ranks or ranks. He does not strive for success. And this is the tragedy of the fate of Pechorin. An essay dedicated to this hero is a characteristic of a person who is unable to come to terms with what is happening, no matter how sad the consequences for him this protest may turn.
Ideas and Views
The king in the understanding of Pechorin is a tyrant. The bureaucratic world is mired in slander, careerism and envy. His representatives idly spend time, do nothing for the benefit of the Fatherland, but at the same time portray serious activity. Pechorin does not want to have anything to do with these people. Therefore, it does not aspire to ranks.
In his youth he was overwhelmed by ideas. Pechorin was sure that it was no coincidence that he was born. He supposedly has an important mission, and his life will make a significant contribution to the development of the Russian social system. But years passed, and this beautiful illusion was scattered. Disappointment, disbelief, fatigue - this is also the tragedy of the fate of Grigory Pechorin.
Lermontov's work on a cold and cynical nobleman was written many years ago. But the theme that the author raised in it remained relevant today. The fate of a person can be extremely sad if he does not have the opportunity to realize himself. The mismatch between the inner world and the outside is a tragedy that no material goods can smooth out.
In the heart of Pechorin is emptiness and cold. Life is of no value to him. He despises her and not only does not fear death, but even seeks to meet her.
Pechorin and other heroes
The hero of Lermontov’s novel is distinguished by intelligence, resourcefulness, insight and, as already mentioned, absolute independence. These character traits are not negative, but people who meet on the path of life Pechorin, bring only grief. He took the horse from Kobzich, disturbed the peace of mind of Makim Maksimych. Having thwarted the plans of “honest smugglers,” Pechorin begins to believe that he brings trouble to everyone. And this error even further distances him from other people. The behavior of Pechorin deserves condemnation. But at the same time, the reader is imbued with sympathy for him. After all, the main tragedy of this hero is that he cannot - due to circumstances - realize his abilities and energy.
In the character, behavior and worldview of Pechorin, its contradictory nature is manifested. Skepticism and frustration are surprisingly combined with a thirst for life. The attention to women that he shows is explained only by ambitious thoughts. But, having received a letter from Vera, by all means he seeks to find her in Pyatigorsk.
What is the tragedy of the Lermontov hero?
Pechorin is prone to introspection. Constant observation of his personality deprived him of the ability to indulge in ordinary human feelings. He cannot be content with little and come to terms with reality. And, answering the question, which is the topic of this article, we should recall the words of Belinsky. The critic argued that the tragedy of Pechorin is a contradiction of high nature and miserable reality.