Essay on the topic: Pechorin, Princess Mary and Grushnitsky, love triangle in the novel by M.Yu. Lermontov "Hero of Our Time"

In the novel “Hero of Our Time,” Lermontov set himself the task of comprehensively and multifacetedly revealing the personality of his contemporary, showing a portrait of a “hero of our time,” “composed of our entire generation, in their full development,” as the author said in the preface to the novel. All storylines are reduced to the central image: Pechorin and Grushnitsky, Pechorin and Werner, Pechorin and Vulich, Pechorin and Maxim Maksimych, Pechorin and the highlanders, Pechorin and the smugglers, Pechorin and the “water society”. At the same time, love plots present in almost every part of the novel represent a special line. After all, one of the main features of a contemporary, according to Lermontov, is “premature old age of the soul,” in which “... some kind of secret cold reigns in the soul, / When fire boils in the blood.” Such is Pechorin: he is not capable of loving selflessly and devotedly, selfishness destroys his best and kindest feelings. This is precisely what is manifested in his relationships with all the heroines of the novel - Bela, Vera and, of course, Princess Mary.

The story of how Pechorin achieves the favor and love of this girl forms the plot basis of the part “Princess Mary”. It is here that, with deep psychologism, Lermontov shows the secret motives of the actions of Pechorin, who always strives to rule in everything, preserving his own freedom. He makes people into toys in his hands, forcing them to play by his own rules. And the result is broken hearts, suffering and death of those who met on his path. He really is like “the executioner in the fifth act of a tragedy.” This is precisely his role in Mary’s fate. A girl who, like Pechorin, belongs to high society, Princess Mary has absorbed much of the morals and customs of her environment since childhood. She is beautiful, proud, unapproachable, but at the same time she loves worship and attention to herself. At times, she seems spoiled and capricious, and therefore the plan developed by Pechorin to “seduce” her does not at first evoke strong condemnation from the reader.

But we also notice other qualities of Mary, hiding behind the appearance of a social beauty. She is attentive to Grushnitsky, whom she considers a poor, suffering young man. She cannot stand the ostentatious bragging and vulgarity of the officers who make up the “water society.” Princess Mary shows a strong character when Pechorin begins to carry out his “plan” to win her heart. But here’s the problem: Pechorin admits that he doesn’t like “women with character.” He does everything to break them, to conquer them. And, unfortunately, Mary fell victim to him, like others. Is she guilty of this? In order to understand this, you need to look at what Pechorin “plays” to win her favor. The key scene is Pechorin’s conversation with Mary on a walk near the sinkhole. “Taking on a deeply moved look,” the hero “confesses” to the inexperienced girl. He tells her about how everyone saw vices in him since childhood, and as a result he became a “moral cripple.” Of course, there is a grain of truth in these words. But Pechorin’s main task is to evoke the girl’s sympathy. And indeed, her kind soul was touched by these stories, and as a result, she fell in love with Pechorin for his “suffering.” And this feeling turned out to be deep and serious, without the edge of coquetry and narcissism. And Pechorin - he achieved his goal: “...After all, there is immense pleasure in possessing a young, barely blossoming soul!” - the hero remarks cynically. The last scene of the explanation between Pechorin and Mary evokes keen sympathy for the unfortunate girl. Even Pechorin himself “felt sorry for her.” But the verdict is merciless, the cards are revealed: the hero declares that he only laughed at her. And the princess can only suffer and hate him, and the reader can think about how cruel a person can be, consumed by selfishness and the desire to achieve his goals, no matter what.

Princess Mary and Grigory Pechorin met in Pyatigorsk. Pechorin arrives after a military mission, and the princess and her mother are treated there at the waters. They both move in high society. Pechorin is in no hurry to get to know Mary and deliberately teases her, stirring up interest in himself, and waits until she gets tired of communicating with Grushnitsky.

They meet at a ball when Gregory invites the princess to dance.

Pechorin decides to “follow her for fun.” He knows how to make her fall in love with him: “... but I guessed you right, dear princess, beware! " The main character achieves the love of the princess according to his own system, which he knows by heart:

“All these days I never deviated from my system. The princess begins to like my conversation.”

“Tomorrow she will want to reward me. I already know all this by heart - that’s what’s boring!”

Why does Pechorin want to make Mary fall in love with him if he doesn’t like her? There are three reasons:

1) He likes to torture Mary

“...she will spend the night without sleep and will cry. This thought gives me immense pleasure.”

2) He wants to annoy Grushnitsky, who is head over heels in love with the princess

3) Thus, he wants to divert the public’s attention from his relationship with the married Vera.

Mary’s phrase: “I hate you...” ends the story of the relationship between Mary and Pechorin.

Why does Mary hate Pechorin?

1) He deprived her of most of her fans by entertaining them with jokes.

2) He bought a carpet that Mary liked and led a horse with this carpet in front of her windows.

3) He jumped out from behind the bushes dressed as a Circassian, which greatly frightened her, and reassured her that he was no more dangerous than her gentleman (Grushnitsky).

4) He fell in love with her and left her.

Updated: 2019-03-29

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Useful material on the topic

Lesson on chapter 2 “Princess Mary” from “Pechorin’s Journal”.

Topic: Mary and Pechorin. Relationship history.

Teacher's opening speech.

The story “Princess Mary” is perceived as the main story in the novel.

Why do you think?

(here Pechorin’s character is revealed to the fullest)

In relationships with which characters can we trace Pechorin’s character?

Introduction to the topic.

Let's see how the relationship between Princess Mary and Pechorin develops

Where do these characters first meet?

(Pechorin and Princess Mary meet for the first time in Pyatigorsk, where Pechorin arrives after a military mission. Princess Mary and her mother are treated at the waters in Pyatigorsk).

Who tells Pechorin about Princess Mary? (Grushnitsky)

What interests Pechorin in Mary’s appearance? (her teeth)

What attitude does this interest show? (Pechorin treats a woman like a horse)

In what chapter have we already noticed such an attitude? (In the chapter “Bela”, when Pechorin exchanged a horse for a girl.)

Why does Pechorin become interested in Mary? (feelings of envy and excitement make him get carried away with the princess)

How Pechorin perceives the relationship between Grushnitsky and Mary, confirm with words from the text. (For Pechorin, their relationship is a game; he does not take them seriously)

“There is a connection! - I shouted in admiration, - we will worry about the denouement of this comedy. Clearly fate is making sure that I don’t get bored.”

Work with text

How is Pechorin going to win Mary? (find confirmation in the text)

“If you want, I will introduce you...

- Have mercy! - I said, clasping my hands, - do they represent heroes? They meet in no other way than by saving their beloved from certain death...”

(Pechorin is going to become a hero for Mary, he will save her at the first opportunity)

How does Mary's attitude towards Pechorin change?

Hatred

“Her gaze, falling on me, expressed annoyance, trying to express indifference...”

“The princess absolutely hates me”

“Yesterday I met her in Chelakhov’s store; she sold a wonderful Persian carpet. The princess begged her mother not to skimp: this carpet would decorate her office so much!.. I gave forty extra rubles and bought it; for this I was rewarded with a look of the most delightful fury.”

Irritability

“She says that you have an impudent look, that you probably have the highest opinion of yourself.”

“Who is this gentleman who has such an unpleasant, hard look? he was with you then...”

“I immediately approached the princess, inviting her to waltz, taking advantage of the freedom of local customs, which allow me to dance with unfamiliar ladies.

“She could hardly force herself not to smile and hide her triumph.”

“I saw that she was ready to faint from fear and indignation.

I approached the drunken gentleman, took him quite firmly by the hand and, looking intently into his eyes, asked him to leave - because, I added, the princess had long ago promised to dance the mazurka with me.

- Well, there’s nothing to do!.. another time! - he said, laughing, and retired to his ashamed comrades, who immediately took him into another room.

I was rewarded with a deep, wonderful look."

Now Pechorin is a noble hero of the novel for Mary, Pechorin’s goal has been achieved.

“Her face blossomed; she joked very nicely; her conversation was sharp, without pretense of sharpness, lively and free; her remarks are sometimes deep... I made her feel with a very confusing phrase that I have liked her for a long time. She tilted her head and blushed slightly."

Love

“All these days I have never deviated from my system. The princess begins to like my conversation; I told her some of the strange incidents of my life, and she begins to see in me an extraordinary person.”

In order to finally win a woman’s heart, Pechorin reveals the secrets of his spoiled character. So he evokes a feeling of pity and compassion in the princess.

Let's make a table for the episode of June 3rd. Mary and Pechorin find themselves on a narrow path leading to Mount Mashuk.

“Yes, this has been my lot since childhood. Everyone read on my face signs of bad feelings that were not there; but they were anticipated - and they were born. I was modest - I was accused of guile: I became secretive. I felt good and evil deeply; no one caressed me, everyone insulted me: I became vindictive; I was gloomy, - other children were cheerful and talkative; I felt superior to them; they put me below. I became envious. I was ready to love the whole world, but no one understood me: and I learned to hate. My colorless youth passed in a struggle with myself and the world; Fearing ridicule, I buried my best feelings in the depths of my heart: they died there. I told the truth - they didn’t believe me: I began to deceive;”

Negative character traits.

Compassion

“At that moment I met her eyes: tears were running in them; her hand, leaning on mine, trembled; cheeks were burning; she felt sorry for me! Compassion, a feeling that all women so easily submit to, let its claws into her inexperienced heart. During the entire walk she was absent-minded and did not flirt with anyone - and this is a great sign!”

How does Pechorin's attitude towards Mary change?

(At first he is passionate, passionate, for him the desire to win Mary’s heart is a game)

How do you understand the phrase: “She is dissatisfied with herself: she accuses herself of being cold... oh, this is the first, main triumph! Tomorrow she will want to reward me. I already know all this by heart - that’s what’s boring!”

Summarizing

Pechorin deftly and cunningly moves towards his goal, he is confident in himself, and while he strives to win the heart of Princess Mary, his passion fills life with meaning. But as soon as he achieves the love of the young princess, he becomes bored again.

Homework: analyze Pechorin’s monologue

“Why am I bothering? Out of envy of Grushnitsky? Poor thing, he doesn't deserve her at all. Or is it a consequence of that nasty but invincible feeling that makes us destroy the sweet delusions of our neighbor in order to have the petty pleasure of telling him, when he asks in despair what he should believe: “My friend, the same thing happened to me, and you you see, however, I have lunch, dinner and sleep peacefully and, I hope, I will be able to die without screaming and tears!

But there is immense pleasure in possessing a young, barely blossoming soul! She is like a flower whose best fragrance evaporates towards the first ray of the sun; you need to pick it up at this moment and, after breathing it to your heart’s content, throw it on the road: maybe someone will pick it up! I feel this insatiable greed within me, devouring everything that comes my way; I look at the sufferings and joys of others only in relation to myself, as food that supports my spiritual strength. I myself am no longer capable of going mad under the influence of passion; My ambition was suppressed by circumstances, but it manifested itself in a different form, for ambition is nothing more than a thirst for power, and my first pleasure is to subordinate to my will everything that surrounds me; to arouse feelings of love, devotion and fear - isn’t this the first sign and the greatest triumph of power? To be the cause of suffering and joy for someone, without having any positive right to do so - isn’t this the sweetest food of our pride? What is happiness? Intense pride. If I considered myself better, more powerful than everyone else in the world, I would be happy; If everyone loved me, I would find endless sources of love in myself.”

Answer the questions:

Why does Pechorin seek the love of Princess Mary?

What supports Pechorin’s spiritual strength?

What is Pechorin's first pleasure?

Why is Pechorin happy?

Many writers use the technique of contrast in their works in order to most fully reveal the characters of the main characters.

Features of Grushnitsky's image

Grigory Pechorin is the main character of the novel “A Hero of Our Time.” M. Yu. Lermontov introduces Grushnitsky to use the literary device of opposition. The characters meet at a water resort in the city of Pyatigorsk. They do not experience any special friendly feelings, but this does not prevent them from spending quite a lot of time together.

Grushnitsky tirelessly plays the role of a romantic hero. He tries to establish love relationships, trying to elevate imaginary feelings. The pretense of his behavior borders on caricature.

In reality, Grushnitsky was never truly happy, the feelings of true joy and love are also completely unfamiliar to him, this is precisely the reason for his attempts to portray them. Even the way he portrays resentment, disappointment or deep suffering looks completely deceitful and ridiculous.

Development of relations between Pechorin, Grushnitsky and Princess Mary

Unlike his friend, Pechorin actually experienced true disappointment in his life. He is fed up with adventures and victories on the love front. Grigory understands perfectly well that Grushnitsky’s character is deceitful, and his actions are stupid and absurd. He sees in his friend both falsehood and inner emptiness. These character traits of Grushnitsky irritate Pechorin.

Despite this, the two characters communicate a lot, the range of topics for conversation is very wide, they spend their free time together. At the same time, they become interested in Princess Mary. Grushnitsky liked the young beauty, and Pechorin decided to pass the time and win the heart of the young coquette. Grushnitsky completely becomes involved in a romantic relationship with the girl, and then powerlessly watches how Grigory Alexandrovich, with enviable persistence and spontaneity, lures away the flighty princess. In addition, the main character takes pleasure in the failure of his friend, he tried to test his strength.

Flirting with Princess Mary is another game of Pechorin, the prize in which is the pleasure of the girl’s beautiful and young soul. He easily captured the princess's attention, showing mystery and wit. Grushnitsky, compared to the main character, is just a dummy with florid but completely empty words. Therefore, how quickly the girl became interested in the personality of Grigory Alexandrovich is not at all surprising. Moreover, she is the first to talk about her feelings.

A duel as the denouement of a love plot

Comrade Pechorin's pride suffers a crushing blow. Drawing up an insidious conspiracy against Grigory Alexandrovich reveals his cowardice, meanness and baseness, which were not too noticeable earlier. Junker Grushnitsky challenges the main character to a duel and tries to leave him to defend his honor with an unloaded pistol.

Pechorin becomes aware of this plan, he gives his former friend the opportunity to apologize, but to no avail. Anger, hatred and the desire to disgrace the main character filled Grushnitsky’s entire being. Self-esteem and resentment, inflated to incredible proportions, turn out to be most important.

Pechorin receives only a small abrasion in the duel, and Grushnitsky loses his life. This becomes the final chord of the relationship between Mary and Gregory. But the duel does not become the reason for the breakup, it’s just that the game started by Pechorin ended, albeit not the way he expected. The main character did not love Mary; she became a victim of his little hobby.

The plot of the story “Princess Mary”, based on a love triangle, deeply reveals Pechorin’s personality and his inner world. Therefore, the images of the cadet Grushnitsky and Princess Mary are extremely important, since they highlight and demonstrate significant character traits of Grigory Alexandrovich Pechorin.

In the novel “Hero of Our Time,” Lermontov set himself the task of comprehensively and multifacetedly revealing the personality of his contemporary, showing a portrait of a “hero of our time,” “composed of our entire generation, in their full development,” as the author said in the preface to the novel. All storylines are reduced to the central image: Pechorin and Grushnitsky, Pechorin and Werner, Pechorin and Vulich, Pechorin and Maxim Maksimych, Pechorin and the highlanders, Pechorin and the smugglers, Pechorin and the “water society”. At the same time, love plots present in almost every part of the novel represent a special line. After all, one of the main features of a contemporary, according to Lermontov, is “premature old age of the soul,” in which “... some kind of secret cold reigns in the soul, / When fire boils in the blood.” Such is Pechorin: he is not capable of loving selflessly and devotedly, selfishness destroys his best and kindest feelings. This is precisely what is manifested in his relationships with all the heroines of the novel - Bela, Vera and, of course, Princess Mary.

The story of how Pechorin achieves the favor and love of this girl forms the plot basis of the part “Princess Mary”. It is here that, with deep psychologism, Lermontov shows the secret motives of the actions of Pechorin, who always strives to rule in everything, preserving his own freedom. He makes people into toys in his hands, forcing them to play by his own rules. And the result is broken hearts, suffering and death of those who met on his path. He really is like “the executioner in the fifth act of a tragedy.” This is precisely his role in Mary’s fate. A girl who, like Pechorin, belongs to high society, Princess Mary has absorbed much of the morals and customs of her environment since childhood. She is beautiful, proud, unapproachable, but at the same time she loves worship and attention to herself. At times, she seems spoiled and capricious, and therefore the plan developed by Pechorin to “seduce” her does not at first evoke strong condemnation from the reader.

But we also notice other qualities of Mary, hiding behind the appearance of a social beauty. She is attentive to Grushnitsky, whom she considers a poor, suffering young man. She cannot stand the ostentatious bragging and vulgarity of the officers who make up the “water society.” Princess Mary shows a strong character when Pechorin begins to carry out his “plan” to win her heart. But here’s the problem: Pechorin admits that he doesn’t like “women with character.” He does everything to break them, to conquer them. And, unfortunately, Mary fell victim to him, like others. Is she guilty of this? In order to understand this, you need to look at what Pechorin “plays” to win her favor. The key scene is Pechorin’s conversation with Mary on a walk near the sinkhole. “Taking on a deeply moved look,” the hero “confesses” to the inexperienced girl. He tells her about how everyone saw vices in him since childhood, and as a result he became a “moral cripple.” Of course, there is a grain of truth in these words. But Pechorin’s main task is to evoke the girl’s sympathy. And indeed, her kind soul was touched by these stories, and as a result, she fell in love with Pechorin for his “suffering.” And this feeling turned out to be deep and serious, without the edge of coquetry and narcissism. And Pechorin - he achieved his goal: “...After all, there is immense pleasure in possessing a young, barely blossoming soul!” - the hero remarks cynically. The last scene of the explanation between Pechorin and Mary evokes keen sympathy for the unfortunate girl. Even Pechorin himself “felt sorry for her.” But the verdict is merciless, the cards are revealed: the hero declares that he only laughed at her. And the princess can only suffer and hate him, and the reader can think about how cruel a person can be, consumed by selfishness and the desire to achieve his goals, no matter what.