The origin of Pechorin and Grushnitsky. Composition: Pechorin and Grushnitsky. Comparative characteristics of the heroes. New artistic means

"A Hero of Our Time" M.Yu. Lermontov was published as a separate publication in St. Petersburg in the spring of 1940. The novel became one of the extraordinary phenomena in Russian literature. This book has been the object of numerous disputes and studies for a century and a half, and has not lost its vitality in our days. Belinsky wrote about her: "Here is a book that is destined to never grow old, because at the very birth of her, she was injected with the living water of poetry."

Main character novel - Pechorin - lived in the thirties of the nineteenth century. This time can be described as the years of grim reaction that followed the defeat of the Decembrist uprising of 1825. At this time, a person of advanced thought could not find applications for his forces. Disbelief, doubt, denial have become features of the consciousness of the younger generation. They rejected the ideals of their fathers from the cradle, and at the same time they doubted the moral values \u200b\u200bas such. That is why V.G. Belinsky said that "Pechorin is deeply suffering", not finding use for the immense forces of his soul.

Creating "A Hero of Our Time", Lermontov depicted life as it really was. And he found new artistic means, which neither Russian nor Western literature knew yet and which delight us to this day by combining a free and wide image of faces and characters with the ability to show them objectively, "building" them, revealing one hero through the perception of another.

Let's take a closer look at the two heroes of the novel - Pechorin and Grushnitsky.

Pechorin was an aristocrat by birth, received a secular education. Coming out of the care of his family, he "set off into the big world" and "began to enjoy all the pleasures madly." The frivolous life of an aristocrat soon disgusted him, and reading books bored him. After the "sensational story in St. Petersburg" Pechorin was exiled to the Caucasus. Drawing the appearance of his hero, the author points out with a few strokes not his aristocratic origin: "pale", "noble forehead", "small aristocratic hand", "dazzlingly clean linen". Pechorin is a physically strong and resilient person. He is endowed with an extraordinary mind, critically assessing the world around him. He reflects on the problems of good and evil, love and friendship, on the meaning of human life. In the assessment of his contemporaries, he is self-critical: "We are no longer capable of great sacrifices either for the good of humanity, or even for our own happiness." He is well versed in people, is not satisfied with the sleepy life of "water society" and gives destructive characteristics to the capital's aristocrats. The most complete and deepest inner world Pechorina is revealed in the story "Princess Mary", where he meets Grushnitsky.

Grushnitsky is a cadet, he is the most ordinary young man who dreams of love, "stars" on his shoulder straps. Making an effect is his passion. In a new officer's uniform, dressed up, smelling of perfume, he goes to Mary. He is a mediocrity, he has one weakness, quite forgivable at his age - "to drape into extraordinary feelings", "to recite a passion." He seeks to play the role of a disillusioned hero, fashionable at that time, "a being doomed to some kind of secret suffering." Grushnitsky is a completely successful parody of Pechorin. That is why the young cadet is so unpleasant to him.

With his miserable behavior, Grushnitsky, on the one hand, emphasizes the nobility of Pechorin, and on the other, he seems to erase any differences between them. After all, Pechorin himself spied on him and Princess Mary, which, of course, was not a noble act. And he never loved the princess, but simply used her gullibility and love to fight Grushnitsky.

Grushnitsky, as a narrow-minded person, at first does not understand Pechorin's attitude towards him. Grushnitsky seems to himself to be a self-confident person, very shrewd and significant: “I feel sorry for you, Pechorin,” he says condescendingly. But events are imperceptibly developing according to Pechorin's plan. And now the cadet, overwhelmed by passion, jealousy and indignation, appears before us in a different light. He turns out to be not so harmless, capable of revenge, dishonesty and meanness. Anyone who recently played nobility is now capable of shooting an unarmed person. The duel scene reveals the essence of Grushnitsky, shoot, I despise myself, but I hate you. If you don’t kill me, I’ll cut you around the corner at night. There is no place for us on earth together ... Grushnitsky rejects reconciliation Pechorin shoots him in cold blood. The situation becomes irreversible Grushnitsky dies after drinking the cup of shame, repentance and hatred to the end.

On the eve of the duel, remembering his life, Pechorin thinks about the question: why did he live? for what purpose was you born? And then he himself answers: "Oh, it is true, she existed, and, probably, there was a high purpose for me, because I feel immense strength in my soul." And then Pechorin realizes that he has long been playing "the role of an ax in the hands of fate." "The immense powers of the soul" - and small, unworthy of Pechorin's actions; he seeks to "love the whole world" - and brings people only evil and misfortune; the presence of noble, high aspirations - and small feelings that rule the soul; thirst for the fullness of life - and complete hopelessness, the awareness of their doom. Pechorin is lonely, his position is tragic, he really is "an extra person." Lermontov called Pechorin "a hero of his time", protesting against the romanticism of the idealized view of the contemporary, depicting the image of Grushnitsky as a parody of romanticism. For the author, the hero is not a role model, but a portrait made up of the vices of the entire generation in their full development.

So, the image of Grushnitsky helps to reveal the main thing in the central character of the novel. Grushnitsky - Pechorin's distorting mirror - emphasizes the truth and significance of the experiences of this "suffering egoist", the depth and exclusivity of his nature. But in the situation with Grushnitsky, all the danger lurking in the depths of this human type, the destructive force that lies in the individualistic philosophy inherent in romanticism, is revealed with special force. Lermontov did not seek to pass a moral judgment. He only showed with great power all the abyss of the human soul, devoid of faith, imbued with skepticism and disappointment. Pechorism was a typical disease of the time. And was it not about these people that the generation of the 30s of the last century said M.Yu. Lermontov in the famous Duma:

"... We will pass over the world without noise or trace, having thrown over the centuries not a fertile thought to the geniuses of the work begun."

Portrait of Pechorin: medium height, slim, strong build. He had pale fingers; there was something childish in his smile; he had blond hair, but his mustache and eyebrows were black; there were brown eyes, an upturned nose, teeth of dazzling white; his eyes didn't laugh when he laughed. Age - about twenty five years. Portrait of Grushnitsky: he was wounded by a bullet in the leg, walked with a crutch.

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He looked twenty-five when, in fact, he was only twenty-one. He was well built, with dark skin and black hair and a mustache. He threw his head back when he spoke. Pechorin's character: this character is not capable of sincere friendship. In his character, one of the main features is selfishness (can be traced in many of his actions). (he was secretive, as evidenced by his gait). In his character there is decisiveness, curiosity (traced in the actions described in the chapter "Taman"). Grushnitsky's character: he does not listen to the interlocutor (a kind of manifestation of selfishness). His goal is to become the hero of the novel. There is romanticism in the character (a consequence of this is a trip to the Caucasus). Pechorin's actions: Pechorin, meeting with Vera, being in a relationship with her, brings her not happiness, but only suffering. He treats Princess Mary like Onegin does with Olga (carries a girl in order to annoy another), does not think about the consequences. Also, in one of his actions there is a share of decisiveness (to the last he tries not to disclose Grushnitsky's scam, risking his life). Grushnitsky's actions: basely plans to cheat in a duel: does not load Pechorin's pistol. Pechorin's attitude to Princess Mary: he did not feel sincere and strong love for Mary. He spent time with her only because of envy of Grushnitsky, in order to annoy him, and also because Pechorin's true love (Vera) could meet Pechorin only in the Ligovsky house (Princess and Princess Mary). Grushnitsky's attitude to Princess Mary: he fell in love with Mary. His feeling is sincere (he admires her singing, while she sings horribly, wears a ring named "Mary"). Pechorin's behavior during the duel: showed nobility. He gave Grushnitsky the opportunity to save his life (but to confirm that what was said was slander), while Grushnitsky arranged an unfair duel. Pechorin was also nervous (the pulse was febrile, but it was imperceptible on the face). Grushnitsky's behavior during the duel: Grushnitsky, refusing to shoot at Pechorin, shows some positive feature character (he thought that Pechorin did not know about the conspiracy). Grushnitsky was also very nervous during the duel (especially when he was thinking whether to shoot him at Pechorin or not). The general conclusion (what are these characters): both characters have negative traits: Pechorin has selfishness, which accompanies many of his actions, Grushnitsky has meanness, since he decided to arrange a dishonest duel. As for their appearance, these characters are opposite: Pechorin is blond, Grushnitsky is dark-haired.

Updated: 2018-01-01

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The main character of the novel, Pechorin, lived in the thirties of the nineteenth century. This time can be described as the years of grim reaction that followed the defeat of the Decembrist uprising of 1825. At this time, a person of advanced thought could not find applications for his forces. Disbelief, doubt, denial have become features of the consciousness of the younger generation. They rejected the ideals of their fathers from the cradle, and at the same time they doubted the moral values \u200b\u200bas such. That is why V.G. Belinsky said that "Pechorin is deeply suffering", not finding use for the immense forces of his soul.

Let's take a closer look at the two heroes of the novel - Pechorin and Grushnitsky.

Pechorin was an aristocrat by birth, received a secular education. Coming out of the care of his family, he "set off into the big world" and "began to enjoy all the pleasures madly." The frivolous life of an aristocrat soon disgusted him, and reading books bored him. After the "sensational story in St. Petersburg" Pechorin was exiled to the Caucasus. Drawing the appearance of his hero, the author points out with a few strokes not his aristocratic origin: "pale", "noble forehead", "small aristocratic hand", "dazzlingly clean linen". Pechorin is a physically strong and resilient person. He is endowed with an extraordinary mind, critically assessing the world around him. He reflects on the problems of good and evil, love and friendship, on the meaning of human life. In the assessment of his contemporaries, he is self-critical: "We are no longer capable of great sacrifices either for the good of humanity, or even for our own happiness." He is well versed in people, is not satisfied with the sleepy life of "water society" and gives destructive characteristics to the capital's aristocrats. Pechorin's inner world is revealed most fully and deeply in the story "Princess Mary", where he meets Grushnitsky.

"... We will pass over the world without noise or trace, having thrown over the centuries not a fertile thought to the geniuses of the work begun."

In the novel, Lermontov portrayed a man of his time, for, according to the author, Pechorin is “a portrait, but not of one person: this is a portrait made up of the vices of our entire generation, in their full development” (preface to the novel). Thus, the author, drawing the main character, depicts modern era, its content, its morals and values. The idea of \u200b\u200bthe novel is that Pechorin with all his talents (knowledge of life, energy, will, intelligence, observation, etc.) remains “ an extra person", As he does not share" neither common opinions, nor passions "(A.S. Pushkin." Eugene Onegin ", 8, XI) of his time. Ordinary success in life (only career, money) does not interest him, and he does not see other (high and worthy) life goals around him.

Pechorin in the novel is characterized in a variety of ways: through his appearance, actions, reflections, pictures of nature, through comparison with minor characters. In other words, the main character becomes the center of the novel, all the other characters play a service role in relation to him, constituting for him a kind of social background, on the one hand, and emphasizing his personal qualities, on the other hand.

The image of Grushnitsky is not an exception in this sense, although in terms of significance in the novel it is comparable only with the image of Maxim Maksimovich. So, Grushnitsky belongs to the "water society" and, therefore, bears the general stamp of mediocrity and vulgarity. Pechorin met him in the army, and then accidentally met him on the waters, where Grushnitsky was completing his wounded leg. Grushnitsky is only five years younger than the main character, and he has all the qualities of a young nobleman of that time. He successfully trails women and, thanks to his good looks, as well as his mysterious demeanor, is successful. He diligently spends his life, having fun at officers' parties, playing cards, participating in duels. Following the general enthusiasm, he even composes "funny epigrams." It was precisely the desire for romantic impressions, according to Pechorin, that pushed Grushnitsky to enroll as a cadet in the active army, where he "is reputed to be an excellent brave man." In other words, Grushnitsky begins life in about the same way as many young nobles of his time. It can be assumed that Pechorin, five or six years ago, was the same fellow-junker. But this is where the similarities between the protagonist and the "romantic cadet" end.

Already on the first pages of "Princess Mary" Pechorin gives a characterization of Grushnitsky, in which one can see the fundamental differences between the two heroes. Junker is an extremely proud person, he is not interested in anything except his own person and his own feelings. “I could never argue with him,” notes Pechorin. "He doesn't answer your objections, he doesn't listen to you." Grigory Alexandrovich, of course, is also not devoid of pride, which he honestly admits to himself in his diary, but this feeling does not prevent him from carefully and successfully studying the people around him. His adventures, described in the novel, prove this: he easily falls in love with a variety of girls (the mountain woman Bela, the fashionable lady Mary), deftly plays on Azamat's cherished desires, and makes the boy kidnap Bela for a wonderful horse.

Grushnitsky is not very smart. “His epigrams ... are never marks and evil,” Pechorin notes. The main character, on the contrary, is a man of a wonderful mind, this is evident from his deep judgments about others (apt characteristics of Werner, Grushnitsky, Mary, Vera), from original thoughts about friendship, love, the nature of people. We can confidently say that he is an educated person, as evidenced by his citing A.S. Griboyedov and A.S. Pushkin, knowledge of philosophy (disputes with Werner), history (before the duel recalls an anecdote about Julia Caesar), literature (at night before the duel he reads W. Scott's novel "Scottish Puritans"),

Grushnitsky is a rather cowardly person who "in practice waves a sword, shouts and rushes forward, closing his eyes." Pechorin is an intelligently brave man. When he decided to disarm the murderer Vulich, he prepared himself well and considered his actions: through the slit of the shutter he carefully examined the drunk Cossack and his weapon, ordered the Esaulu to distract the drunk's attention by talking. Only after that did Pechorin choose a convenient moment and, tearing off the shutter, jumped into the hut. Careful preparations do not detract from the courage and bravery Pechorin displayed in this episode.

In the soul of Grushnitsky, according to the protagonist, there are "many good qualities." By themselves, pride, limited mind and cowardice are not terrible vices, because these qualities are inherent in so many ordinary people... But, combined together in one character, they make the cadet very unpleasant and even dangerous in critical situations. Insulted pride (Mary preferred Pechorina to him) pushes Grushnitsky to meanness: he spreads gossip about the princess, not caring at all about her good name. Before the duel, he agrees to another meanness: the dragoon captain, with the knowledge of Grushnitsky, loads only his pistol, and Grushnitsky, having received the right to the first shot, shoots at an unarmed person.

In the character of Pechorin, when compared with Grushnitsky, one finds: intelligence, courage, life experience, will, nobility. The main character not only defends the honor of Princess Mary in a duel, but also adequately interrupts the love affair, which, however, he himself began out of boredom. He did not want to further deceive the girl in love, and even more so somehow take advantage of her sincere feelings. According to Belinsky, both Pechorin is a portrait of his generation, and Grushnitsky is “a representative of a whole category of people, a common noun”. This is a petty person, not remarkable in anything, except for his unfounded claims to exclusivity. Next to him, the superiority of Pechorin's personality looms brighter. However, Lermontov is not limited to portraying the personal confrontation between the two heroes, it is fundamentally important that the story gives a social opposition between Grushnitsky and Pechorin.

Firstly, the main character despises the secular society with its petty interests, selfishness, dirty intrigues. (All these negative traits are demonstrated by the representatives of the "water society." Grushnitsky, unlike the protagonist, dreams of penetrating into secular society, tries to get to know aristocrats, and learns external secular manners.

Secondly, Pechorin sincerely experiences his disappointment in life, the absence of worthy goals, loneliness and uselessness, as evidenced by his diary entries (conclusion to "Taman", philosophical reasoning in "Fatalist"). His thoughts on the eve of the duel deserve special attention. The image of a deeply unhappy person arises before the readers: an aimless life has already tired him and he lives by inertia, without interest, without hope. His love did not bring happiness to anyone; he will die and no one will regret him; there is not a single person on earth who would understand Pechorin completely: “Some will say: he was a good fellow, others - a scoundrel. Both will be false. " Grushnitsky plays the role of an unrecognized and disappointed hero. For him, disappointment is fashion and an opportunity to "get interested." The pose, drawing, false pathos in the cadet are brought to the ridiculous: according to Pechorin, he "drapes into extraordinary feelings, lofty passions and exceptional suffering."

In conclusion, it should be said that Lermontov, portraying the hero of his time, skillfully uses the method of opposition. In "Bela" and "Maxim Maksimovich" Pechorin is depicted in comparison with the "good staff captain", in "Fatalist" - with Vulich, in "Princess Mary" - with Grushnitsky.

A psychological, intellectual, social gap is revealed between the main character and the cadet, making them irreconcilable enemies. This conflict can only be resolved by a six-step duel. No wonder last words Grushnitsky, which he throws in Pechorin's face, become: “Shoot! I despise myself, and I hate you. (...) There is no place for us on earth together ... ".

Maxim Maksimovich differs from Pechorin in age, character, education, social status... They both perfectly see this difference, which, however, does not prevent them from sympathizing with each other. The external differences between Pechorin and Grushnitsky are not so significant: they are of almost the same age, hereditary nobles, belong to the same social circle. At the same time, the internal contrast-rivalry between Pechorin and Grushnitsky is indicated in the novel more sharply and definitely than the differences between Pechorin and Maxim Maksimovich.

In the work "Hero of Our Time" is clearly expressed main character... But there are other heroes next to him. Through comparative analysis you can get to know the characters more deeply, compare their similarities or different features. Comparative characteristics Pechorin and Grushnitsky is a great way to reveal the features of the image of the protagonist and his friend.

Relations between Pechorin and Grushnitsky

Pechorin and Grushnitsky were outstanding representatives of their time. Despite the fact that they meet like old friends, there is no real friendship between them. The opposition of the heroes is shown in the chapter "Princess Mary". Grushnitsky and Pechorin saw the lady at almost the same time. Since then, their relationship has ceased to be friendly, a wave of hostility has arisen between them.

On the example of the relationship with Mary, the comparison of Pechorin and Grushnitsky is very clearly visible. They treat this girl differently, as well as the entire female sex. Pechorin plays with Mary, he ties her to himself, knowing in advance that he does not need her and they cannot have any future together. Grushnitsky is seriously fond of Mary. He wants to win her heart, shares this with Pechorin, but instead of support and friendly advice he gets a strong competitor. This becomes a critical point for buddies. Grushnitsky decides to teach Pechorin a lesson, but he paid with his life for his joke.

Character similarities

The heroes spend a lot of time together. Grushnitsky trusts Pechorin, he does not immediately see how he treats him. The similarities of the characters allow them to be "on the same wavelength". For example, a very small age difference plays an important role in the communication of the characters.

Both of them turned out to be men of honor, because neither of them ultimately gave up the duel. Each of them values \u200b\u200bhimself and is in a high, and sometimes even excessive degree of self-esteem.

Character differences

Pechorin and Grushnitsky are too different to find real friendship. Pechorin is cynical and cold. He reveals the vices of others and is too self-confident, although he is demanding of himself. He does not disclose his emotions and feelings to others, leaves thoughts to himself, and in conversations he prefers to be silent, listening to what others have to say. Grushnitsky is a windbag. He loves beautiful speech, is quite sentimental and quick-tempered. The character overly admires the whole world, talks too much and does too little.

However, the differences do not prevent the characters from spending a lot of time together. Grushnitsky reveals the soul of Pechorin. But instead of support, he gets ridicule. It is unlikely that such a relationship can be called a real friendship.

If Pechorin is cynical and has a tough character, then Grushnitsky is too soft. It lacks the charisma that attracts women in Pechorin. The character juxtaposition emphasizes the dependence of the life line on the character. Heroes find their destiny at the expense of their qualities.

Mapping table

Using the example of a comparative table, you can clearly see the similarities and differences of characters, draw conclusions about each of them.

Thus, we see how different the characters who could become friends. This is confirmed by some quotes: "I understood him, and he does not love me for this, although we are outwardly in the most friendly relations," "I understood him, and he does not love me for this, although we are outwardly in the most friendly relations."

It turns out that hostility, irritation and a readiness to defend themselves were hidden from the very beginning behind the imaginary friendly relations of the characters. Each of them feels some kind of dislike that is not expressed in direct relationships.

Comparing the character traits, age, position of the characters, we can conclude that everyone builds their own destiny. The kind of person you are has a direct impact on how life will turn out. The similarity of characters does not always mean that friendship will be obligatory. But when friendship turns into competition, mutual hostility and, as a result, the death of one of the heroes, it turns out that friendship can be destructive.

This article will help to write the essay "Comparative characteristics of Pechorin and Grushnitsky", to compare their similar and different features.

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