(400 words) “Hero of our time” is a psychological novel in which M. Yu. Lermontov depicted the story of one human soul. The author himself in the preface to the work made it clear to the reader that Pechorin is a collective character who embodies "the vices of our entire generation, in their full development."
In order to show how versatile and contradictory the soul of Pechorin is, Mikhail Yuryevich puts the main character in certain life circumstances. He surrounds Gregory with people who will help reveal the essence of the hero and get to the truth.
Having won Bela, Pechorin ceases to be interested in her, as he realizes that she too could not bring him happiness. The girl’s sincere feelings only briefly fueled the officer’s interest. Soon, he ceases to visit her and completely cools to her. Some time later, Belo is kidnapped and mortally wounded by Kazbich. This death did not greatly disturb Pechorin; he is returning to his former life again.
The meeting with Maxim Maksimych also could not melt the ice in the soul of the protagonist. Grigory Alexandrovich did not hug his old friend, which caused him a slight bewilderment. This hurt the man, but he did not begin to blame Pechorin for this evil, because he treats him well.
Pechorin continues to interact with people, playing with their fates and souls. So, for example, Grushnitsky (imitator Gregory, an imaginary sufferer) Pechorin says a few unpleasant words after he sees interest in Mary in his eyes. From this moment, a conflict arises between them, which later led to a duel.
Princess Mary Pechorin suggests that he likes her. The girl falls in love, but soon realizes that she was mistaken, considering that her feelings are mutual. The officer admits that he was amiable with her only to annoy Grushnitsky. In fact, Gregory did not want to settle down, start a family, because he did not feel that he had found his place. Even the "water society" could not give him peace of mind, on the contrary, it annoyed the protagonist with its well-established rules and outlook on life.
In the chapter "Fatalist", the author clearly illustrated that predestination really exists (the situation with Wulich). Pechorin at first does not believe in this, but soon he begins to play with fate and realizes that it exists. Gregory possesses natural insight and intuition (he notices on Vulich’s face “the imprint of an inevitable fate”).
Pechorin is rebellious in nature. His whole life passes in the wanderings of “Why did I live?” and finding yourself "for what purpose was I born?" To understand the meaning of human life, to understand himself and to know himself, he tries to find a response in people's hearts. However, all in vain. Grigory Alexandrovich, and towards the end of his life, fails to find out the purpose for which he was born, "but, truly, it existed."
