Heroism In Imperial Russia

Shiv Rohira

Professor Juliette Apkarian

Russian 271: Literature of Imperial Russia

September 15th, 2015

Response Paper

“Both villains and heroes need to have a steadfast belief in themselves.”- Jack Gleeson

This quote demonstrates how our “hero” Pechorin is neither a quintessential hero nor villain because his internally conflicted character, and his destructive nature places him in the margin between the two. Employing a a unique style of varying narrative techniques in a series of five skillfully connected short stories, the author, Mikhail Lermontov, depicts the bizarre Romanticism and Byronic nature of Pechorin’s “heroism” , and the internal complexities of his character,

in order to question to what extent Pechorin is a hero in the novel . Lermontov has successfully used imagery and metaphors to contrast the dynamic persona of Pechorin to that of the other characters, to bring out the paradox in his identity.

Through the character of Pechorin, Lermontov tries to develop the idea of Romanticism.

A romantic is someone who neglects societal norms and has a higher intellect and purpose. He possesses qualities like selflessness, that put him above the rest, and has an elevated sense of natural beauty, leading an atypical life driven by emotion and self-criticism. In the introduction of the novel, Maksim Maksimovich describes Pechorin to the readers and the traveler, “ He was so very elegant, his complexion so nice and white, his uniform so brand new, …” (Lermontov 16) thereby highlighting his “handsomeness”, a characteristic that gains Pechorin attention and makes him appealing to other characters in the book. Pechorin also develops a bitter outlook on life, as a result of its monotony. Despite being surrounded by the constant activity of the military in the present, it is ironic that he is unable to seek some challenge or thrill. His cynicism towards life is heightened when he complains to Maksim “My soul has been spoiled by the world, my imagination is unquiet, my heart insatiate”(Lermontov 70) demonstrating how his imagination led him astray giving him hope for adventure in his life, but he feels dissatisfied because his desires were futile . Additionally, he has an intense desire to travel perpetually, as shown by “My life grows emptier day by day. One expedient only is left to me-travel.”(Lermontov 71). Furthermore, Pechorin makes exaggerated claims of misery and boredom, and

has a strong fascination and attachment to nature, which is feels is his refuge from insignificant societal norms that he voluntarily exiles himself from.“There is not a woman's glance which I would not forget at the sight of the tufted mountains, illumined by the southern sun; at the sight of the dark-blue sky, or in hearkening to the roar of the torrent as it falls from cliff to cliff”(Lermontov 241). Here, Lermontov further demonstrates Pechorin’s love for nature by the use of wordy and vivid imagery, to emphasize his romantic character. demonstrating how his imagination led him astray giving him hope for adventure in his life, but he feels dissatisfied because his desires were futile. Though Pechorin displays many qualities of a romantic hero, there is a subdued element of realism to his character, wherein he lacks the compassion needed to be considered a true romantic by the reader.

A “Byronic Hero” , a variant of a romantic hero by Lord Byron, is defined as “An anti-hero of the highest order”. A Byronic hero is similar to a romantic hero in that he rejects established norms and conventions, has a cynical nature, and is filled with introspection and self-criticism. However, he is rebellious, arrogant, manipulative and deceitful too, all qualities exclusive to a Byronic hero. Essentially, a Byronic hero is romantic in nature, yet possesses some elements of realism, wherein he lacks the compassion needed to be considered a true romantic by the reader, which masks his “heroic” nature. Lermontov illustrates Pechorin as a true Byronic hero, who's looks, intelligence, cynicism, and arrogance are perceived as charismatic, and yet he is manipulative, shrewd, selfish and disrespectful towards women.

Firstly, he admits that he looks upon other people as means for his enjoyment, and looks only for attachment to meet his personal interests “I feel within me that insatiate hunger which devours everything it meets upon the way; I look upon the sufferings and joys of others only from the point of view of their relation to myself, regarding them as the nutriment which sustains my spiritual forces” (Lermontov 134) Additionally, he emotionally manipulates women to make them fall for him and once they do, he neglects them, just as a game, out of perpetual boredom.

He uses them for amusement(Bela), to satisfy his ego(Vera), and to attack other men(Princess Mary) For instance, in ‘Princess Mary’, Pechorin talks about his “colorless youth” , to make Mary feel sympathetic towards him so he can exploit her. The detail and technicality of the story he told her, clearly demonstrates his special intellect and keen observation, in tandem with the theme of Romanticism. Additionally, he objectifies these women involuntarily, metaphorically comparing them to different animals, “There was a good deal of breeding in her…Breeding in woman, as in horses, is a great thing: a discovery”(Lermontov 75), “hid herself frightened out through the thicket” (Lermontov 76), “like a snake, she gilded from between my arms”(Lermontov 77), “but she clung like a cat” (Lermontov 78), “her serpent-like nature” (Lermontov 78) . Here Pechorin degrades women by comparing them to animals and uses possessive pronouns

when referring to them, as if they were objects that he owned, which