The novel "Hero of our time" is one of the most significant creations of M.Yu. Lermontov. The compositional originality of the work is such that each chapter and its location in the narrative contain a certain value for revealing the image of the protagonist. And the novel opens with the head of Bela Lermontov, a summary of which we will consider.
The novel "Hero of our time"
A novel was published in parts. The first to see the light was the head of Bela, published in the journal Domestic Notes (1839). Then came Fatalist and Taman. The new work of Mikhail Yurievich was ambiguously criticized. Belinsky and his supporters openly admired the novel, but there were those who found in the image of Pechorin a cruel caricature of modern society. The only character who did not cause opposition protests was Maxim Maksimych. It was he who was initially mistaken for the “hero of our time” Nicholas I and was greatly annoyed, realizing that he was mistaken. This polemic forced Lermontov to write a preface to the next edition of the novel, where he refutes the opinion of irony and ridicule of modernity.
In the article we will not consider the whole novel, but only the first chapter - “Bela” (Lermontov), its brief content and analysis.
The originality of the composition of the novel
The main task of the unusual compositional structure of the novel is to reveal the image of Pechorin. When reading the work, it seems that with each chapter, frame by frame, Lermontov brings the “camera” closer to his character, and at the end the reader hears Pechorin’s voice. A brief retelling helps to feel this unusual structure.
Lermontov, Bela and other characters for whom was only a way to explain the character of Pechorin, takes the creation of images of his characters very seriously. And they appear not as empty templates, but as people with their thoughts and feelings. That is why it makes sense to analyze not only the image of the main character, but also the images of other characters in the novel.
Lermontov. "Hero of our time". The heroes of the head of "Bela"
What are the characters of the first chapter? Its main characters are as follows:
- the narrator,
- Maxim Maksimych - captain,
- Pechorin
- Bela - Princess
- Kazbich is a robber
- Azamat is the son of a prince.
"Bela" Lermontov: a summary. Acquaintance
On one of the mountain roads of the Caucasus, the paths of a narrator traveling from Tiflis and staff captain Maxim Maksimich converge. A new acquaintance - a man of fifty years or so, knows the area well and is well acquainted with the language and traditions of the highlanders. The narrator immediately understands that in front of him is someone who has long lived in the Caucasus and perfectly understands the features of this region. In the evening at a halt, Maxim Maksimych recalls his service in a fortress near the Terek. There with his friend, Pechorin Grigory Alexandrovich, a fascinating story happened.
The story of Maxim Maksimych
The image of Pechorin first appears before the reader precisely in the chapter “Bela” by Lermontov. A summary of the story of Maxim Maksimych can start with the trip of Pechorin and the staff captain to the wedding of the eldest daughter of the Chechen prince. Here the fateful meeting of the protagonist with the youngest daughter of the owner of the house - Bela. Pechorin is struck by her beauty and cannot take her eyes off her. But he was not the only one to notice the charm of the young princess. Kazbich, a gangster and a dashing rider, whose horse (Karagez) is known throughout Kabarda, also does not take his fiery eyes from the girl.
Maxim Maksimych during the holiday goes outside to breathe air and hears a conversation between Azamat and Kazbich. The prince’s son wants to get the robber’s horse and is even ready to steal Bela for him. But the bandit does not agree. But Pechorin, who learned about this conversation, offers Azamat to steal a horse for him in exchange for a girl. The young man agrees and brings Bel Pechorin at night. The next morning, Kazbich leads the rams to the fortress for sale. And while they are talking with the headquarters captain, Azamat takes the horse away.
Maxim Maksimych appeals to the honor of Pechorin, but the main character replies that if he now returns to Bel, the prince will sell her into slavery or kill her. And the captain agrees with this argument.
The image of Bela begins to unfold at the time of her appearance in the fortress. The girl is locked in the room, only the Tatar comes to her and gives Pechorin's gifts. The princess behaves incredulously, but gradually succumbs to the charm of the protagonist. He declares that Bela will not be able to fall in love, and is ready to let the girl go and leave. The princess stops Pechorin and confesses her love. At the same time, Kazbich, confident that Azamat stole his horse with his father’s permission, kills the prince.
Maxim Maksimych becomes attached to the girl, and Pechorin cools. The main character goes on a hunt, and the staff captain, trying to entertain Bela, leads her to walk on the rampart. Here they see the horseman in which they recognize Kazbich. The thug rides on the horse of father Bela.
Gradually, Pechorin finally loses interest in the princess. Maxim Maksimych again calls the main character to talk. Pechorin says that his destiny is to inflict grief on others. And he himself cannot find his happiness. From a young age, he tried to find his destiny, to find a place in society, but suffered failures. It is here that one of the key problems of the novel “Hero of Our Time” arises. The head of Bela illustrates the restlessness of an entire generation, for whom there was no decent occupation in Russia since the time of Lermontov.
For Pechorin, Bela became a hope for happiness and love, but expectations were not met. He was again overcome by boredom and indifference. Once Maxim Maksimych and Pechorin go hunting. On the way back they hear a shot and see Kazbich. The bandit rode at full speed, and a white bundle was thrown over the saddle of his horse. Pechorin rushed in pursuit and shot horse Kazbich. Then it became clear that the robber had abducted Bela. And not wanting to part with her, Kazbich hit her with a dagger.
Pechorin brought Bela to the fortress, where she suffered another two days, and then died. The main character was sick for a long time, was sad, and three months later he left for Georgia.
Chapter analysis
Analysis of a literary work reveals all its semantic facets. It is especially interesting to consider texts similar to the novel “Hero of Our Time”. The chapter “Bela” tells about the love of Pechorin and Bela, the Circassian princess. Lermontov does not give an unambiguous answer, whether his hero loved a girl or simply had fun. Pechorin himself cannot understand how strong his feelings were.
Perhaps he was seduced by the novelty, the difference between Bela and the usual secular coquettes. Pechorin admits that he is attracted to the highlanders' passion and pride. This is what the protagonist could look for in a girl, but perhaps he was trying to find sincere affection and feelings.
Lermontov himself is ambivalent about his hero. Bela, whose analysis of the image is very remarkable, embodies sincerity and emotionality. It was these qualities, together with beauty, that could attract Pechorin. But the protagonist’s interest is short-lived. Chilling to a sincerely in love girl, he ruins her.
Bela
Bela's characterization is largely determined by her origin: she is a Circassian and the daughter of a prince. Her sincerity, openness and wildness are explained by the national characteristics of the highlanders. Bela is close to nature, has an inner pride and desire for freedom.
Once in captivity, she closes and rejects gifts. But gradually love awakens in her, to which she gives herself completely, without hesitation and without doubt. But as soon as Pechorin cools down to her, Bela herself is ready to leave: “I am not his slave. I am a princely daughter! ”
Thus, the characterization of Bela speaks of her as a victim of various cultural and historical communities. The heroine's belonging to the highlanders determined her death at the hands of Kazbich, who was guided by the laws of her ancestors.
Bela and Pechorin
As already noted above, does not give an unambiguous assessment of its heroes Lermontov. “The hero of our time” (the heroes of the first chapter we have already considered) is a novel that reflects many contradictions of a human nature. The writer depicts two characters that are completely opposite in origin and views.
The love story of the heroes is built on contradictions. First, the reader sees Pechorin’s passion and the indifference that Bel embodies. The characteristics of the heroes gradually change to the opposite: feelings flare up in the girl, and Pechorin cools down. The controversy of the heroes leads their love in tragedy.
Output
Lermontov's story “Bela” introduces the reader to the main character and reveals one of the main features of his character. Pechorin appears hungry for new sensations, striving to find his place in life, but not understanding what he is looking for, and unable to bear responsibility for his actions.