Action in the novel by M. Yu. Lermontov's "A Hero of Our Time" is set in the 30s of the XIX century. The central character of the work is a young Russian officer Grigory Pechorin. In this image, the author reflected the fate of an extraordinary person who happened to live in an era of timelessness and loss of life guidelines.
Instructions
Step 1
In his novel, Lermontov continues the traditions of realism laid down by Pushkin. At the center of the narrative, the author put the question of defining life values in a difficult and controversial era. The events connected with the Decembrist uprising were still fresh in the memory of the people. But even the best representatives of society became disillusioned with the struggle against the autocracy and did not see a way out of the period of social stagnation.
Step 2
The ideas that the author wanted to convey to the reader were reflected in the image of Pechorin. The author's entire narration is subordinated to one task - to reveal the character and system of values of one of the best representatives of society. Lermontov appears here as a subtle psychologist and realist, who was able to discern in the contradictory character of the hero of his time not only an extraordinary personality, but also a person with a devastated soul.
Step 3
The author describes Pechorin's personality skillfully and in a peculiar way. The young officer has a sharp mind, strong character and strong will. He is fearless, sometimes even daring. Pechorin does not stop at life's obstacles. The hero cannot be called sentimental. In relations with other people, he does not stand on ceremony. One gets the impression that the people passing through the hero's life are just characters in a play that he is forced to watch.
Step 4
The composition of the novel "A Hero of Our Time" is also distinguished by its originality. In fact, several independent works, united by one main character, pass before the reader. The author does not seek to preserve the chronology of Pechorin's life. It is much more important for him to show the hero in a variety of life situations. Therefore, Lermontov turns to the description of several episodes that characterize the personality of a young officer from all sides.
Step 5
The reader sees Pechorin among prim representatives of high society, daring smugglers, brave and freedom-loving highlanders. The officer's relationship with the secondary characters makes it possible to more fully reveal the entire contradictory nature of the protagonist of the novel. The characters and the whole cycle of events in their own way emphasize the main idea of Lermontov: if such is one of the best representatives of society, what can you expect from other people?
Step 6
Disclosure of the psychological characteristics of the hero for Lermontov is not an end in itself. Through this vivid image, the author seeks to highlight the main problem of his time - the lack of high ideals and life aspirations among the younger generation, who were to take a direct part in the life of the country. The well-known critic V. G. Belinsky called Lermontov "a solver of the most important issues of our time."
