Why did Pechorin treat Maxim Maksimych so coldly during their last meeting? Essays by topic

Lermontov's novel “Hero of Our Time” is an amazing and interesting work. The composition of the novel itself is unusual. Firstly, the work consists of stories, which in itself is extraordinary. Secondly, they are not arranged chronologically, as is traditionally customary. All the stories are divided into two parts: a story about Pechorin’s life through the eyes of an outsider (“Bela”, “Maksim Maksimych”, “Preface to Pechorin’s Journal”) and the diary of Pechorin himself, revealing his inner life (“Taman”, “Princess Mary”, "Fatalist"). This principle was not chosen by the author by chance. It contributes to the most profound, complete and psychologically subtle analysis of the hero.

There is no single plot in the work. Each story has its own characters and situations. They are connected only by the figure of the main character - Grigory Alexandrovich Pechorin. Either we see him during his service in the Caucasus, then he finds himself in the provincial town of Taman, then he is relaxing in Pyatigorsk on mineral waters. Everywhere the hero creates an extreme situation, sometimes threatening his life. Pechorin cannot live an ordinary life; he needs situations that reveal his enormous abilities.

The story “Maksim Maksimych” describes the finale of the events depicted in “A Hero of Our Time.” For the last time, the figure of the restless hero, unable to find refuge, is shown. The contrast between Pechorin and Maxim Maksimych has a special meaning in this story. There is no detailed action here. This story is structured as a road episode.

Maxim Maksimych and the narrator learn that Pechorin’s carriage has arrived in the courtyard of their hotel. The elderly staff captain is very excited about this and is eager to see his old comrade. He is sure that as soon as Pechorin finds out who is waiting for him, he will immediately come running and will be very glad to meet him. Maxim Maksimych even runs out of the gate to meet him. But Pechorin is in no hurry to return from visiting. He appears only the next day to immediately leave for Persia. That's the plot of this episode. But with the help of such simple events, the author reveals the characters of his heroes.

Pechorin appears after various life events described in the rest of the novel. Left behind are St. Petersburg, Pyatigorsk, Taman, and the Caucasus. The reader has already learned who Pechorin is, but he was shown through the eyes of Maxim Maksimych. Now we see the hero through the eyes of the narrator. Subtle observation of Grigory Alexandrovich's appearance allows us to sketch his inner portrait. There are several features in Pechorin's character, conveyed through his portrait. The author emphasizes through his appearance the complexity and inconsistency of Pechorin’s personality. His “strong build” and “broad shoulders” contradict the “something childish” in his smile, the “feminine tenderness” of his skin, the carelessness and laziness in his gait.
Another peculiarity of Pechorin’s gait was that “he did not wave his arms.” The author notes that this is “a sure sign of a secretive character.” Lermontov pays attention to conveying the fatigue of life of his hero: “When he sat down on the bench, his straight waist bent, as if he did not have a single bone in his back; the position of his whole body depicted some kind of nervous weakness...” Speaking about the eyes, the mirror of the soul of every person, the author notes: “... they did not laugh when he laughed!... This is a sign of either an evil disposition or deep constant sadness.”
Before us is a young man, tired of life, with a bright personality and a complex inner world.

In contrast to him, Maxim Maksimych is given. This is an open person, completely turned towards his neighbor. The old staff captain is faithful to his past friendship with Pechorin with all his heart. Having learned that Grigory Alexandrovich had finally appeared in the hotel courtyard, he dropped all his business and ran towards his old comrade: “A few minutes later he was already near us; he could hardly breathe; sweat rolled from his face like hail; wet tufts of gray hair... stuck to his forehead; his knees trembled..."
Seeing his long-awaited friend, Maxim Maksimych wanted to throw himself on his neck, but Pechorin only extended his hand in a friendly manner. And this is not surprising, because he did not consider the staff captain his friend or comrade. For Pechorin, this was just another person with whom fate brought him together for a while, and nothing more.
We can say that Maxim Maksimych was an accidental witness to his next emotional drama. During a brief conversation, the staff captain reminds Pechorin about Bel. It becomes clear that the young man would not want to remember this: “Pechorin turned a little pale and turned away.” This is another heavy burden on his soul that he would not like to show. Therefore, he speaks of the young Circassian woman, “yawning forcibly.”
This person does not allow anyone to penetrate his soul, to understand what feelings he experiences. Pechorin is so withdrawn into himself that he loses the ability to feel at least briefly the excitement, anxieties, and demands of the soul of another person. He does not want to give Maxim Maksimych a single extra minute, which greatly offends the old man. And the frowning staff captain says to Pechorin: “That’s not how I thought I’d meet you...”. Here, friendly feelings awaken in the hero for a second, and he hugs Maxim Maksimych. And he immediately leaves, making it clear to the staff captain that they are unlikely to ever meet again. Maxim Maksimych is offended in his best feelings.

Thanks to this episode and the comparison with the elderly staff captain, one can see the figure of Pechorin more clearly. He cannot think about other people: Pechorin is too closed for this and concentrated on himself. The kindness and sincere friendly feelings of Maxim Maksimych do not evoke any response in him. The reader sees that over the past time Pechorin has finally fallen ill with incurable boredom and an indifferent attitude not only towards others, but also towards his fate. Therefore, after the episode of the last meeting, the author had no choice but to “kill” his hero.

Text based on the novel by M.Yu. Lermontov Hero of Our Time

Why did Pechorin treat Maxim Maksimych so coldly during their last meeting?

The chapter “Maksim Maksimych” describes a scene when at a crossroads, in Vladikavkaz, on the square near the hotel, an army captain and a man from a chosen environment, the main character of the novel Pechorin, meet.

Maxim Maksimych, by definition of critic V.G. Belinsky, is one of the best folk characters. He has kindness, sincerity and a bright faith in friendship between people.

And therefore, he, being a simple-minded man, is confident that the aristocrat Pechorin will “come running” when he learns that Maxim Maksimych, his former comrade in arms, a modest, low-ranking officer, is staying at a local hotel.

But Pechorin coldly greets Maxim Maksimych, citing the fact that each of them has “their own path.”

The old man is upset, if not killed, by Pechorin’s behavior. He is sincerely convinced that the reason is in himself, in the old man who is “not rich, not an official,” and he cannot remain “on an equal footing” with the brilliant St. Petersburger.

But there are other reasons for Pechorin’s coldness. The staff captain is a witness and even a participant in the story of the seduction of Bela, a mountain girl, by the capital's aristocrat. He knew the story of the death of her family, and was present at the bedside of the dying Bela.

Outwardly, the romantic story with Bela is the story of Pechorin’s crime, which led to the destruction of family foundations, the death of both the family itself and all its members. If Maxim Maksimych had “kicked things into gear,” then his young friend, selfish and frivolous, would not have escaped severe punishment. That’s why Pechorin is also cold towards his former comrade in arms: who wants to reopen old wounds?

Psychologism in the behavior of the heroes is seen in the throwings of the kind Maxim Maksimych, who is impatiently waiting for Grigory Alexandrovich, and in the careless attitude of the main character towards his comrade in arms from previous years. However, as a sensitive person, Pechorin understands the reason for the old man’s offense and in his own way tries to justify himself and reassure his interlocutor.

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Collection of essays: The last meeting of Pechorin and Maxim Maksimych (Analysis of an episode from M. Yu. Lermontov’s novel “A Hero of Our Time”)

When you open Lermontov’s novel “A Hero of Our Time,” you forget that it was written more than a hundred years ago. The writer introduces us to a world in which such different people live: Maxim Maksimych, who, according to Belinsky, has “a wonderful soul, a heart of gold,” and Pechorin.

Two chapters in the novel are devoted to two meetings of the main character - Pechorin and Maxim Maksimych - a staff captain in a small distant fortress in the Caucasus. His life flows quietly and measuredly away from the noisy light, nothing disturbs the dull monotony of his existence. And a whole event in his life was the arrival of a new officer - Grigory Aleksandrovich Pechorin.

“He was so thin, white, his uniform was so new,” Maxim Maksimych tells the author about his first meeting. These words contain extraordinary tenderness, which Maxim Maksimych is ready to give to Pechorin; “You will be a little bored... well, yes, you and I will live as friends. Yes, please, just call me Maxim Maksimych...”, he immediately, without any ceremony, offers Pechorin; but only dry formality sounds in his answers to all questions: “That’s right, Mr. Staff Captain.”

Noticing the strangeness of the new officer, his unlikeness from others, Maxim Maksimych explains this by his wealth and classifies Pechorin as one of the people who are destined to have extraordinary events happen to them.

The good-natured staff captain fell in love with Pechorin, even his name - Alexandrovich - gives Maxim Maksimych pleasure; Telling a stranger about the new officer, Maxim Maksimych is worried, as if he is reliving his best moments.

Although Maxim Maksimych feels sorry for the deceased Bela, although in his heart he blames Pechorin for her death, still for him the extravagant young man is “poor thing.”

We feel care and tenderness, excitement and sincere friendship on the part of Maxim Maksimych.

Not wanting the participation of strangers, Pechorin lifts the veil from his life one single time. “My soul is spoiled by light, my imagination, my restless, insatiable heart,” was his confession to Maxim Maksimych.

In this confession, one can clearly hear a cry for help from a person who does not understand himself, who needs friendly support, who is very lonely and unnecessary to anyone.

Suffering from his restlessness, in despair he asks himself a painful question: “Why did I live? For what purpose was I born? Pechorin rushes about, he does not understand himself; I can’t help but remember Pushkin’s Onegin, who was called by Belinsky a “suffering egoist,” “a reluctant egoist.”

Maxim Maksimych was unable to understand Pechorin’s confession - for him, who lived his entire life in a lost fortress, knowing only his duties and fulfilling them regularly, the torment and contradictions of the new generation, the man who “asks for the storm,” were too incomprehensible. Five years have passed.

Maxim Maksimych tenderly cherishes his affection for Pechorin in his heart. For the first time, he gives up his official duties and puts meeting his friend first. And what?

Instead of friendly hugs, Maxim Maksimych is met with a certain aloofness; Pechorin utters a cool welcoming phrase: “How glad I am, dear Maxim Maksimych! How are you doing?” Tears choke the staff captain, the friendly “you” has to be replaced with “you”, Maxim Maksimych is in complete confusion - he is in great pain, his concepts of friendship are crumbling, his faith in the memory of his former friend.

“I didn’t forget anything,” Maxim Maksimych’s words sounded like a reproach to Pechorin, but is it worth reproaching here? In my opinion, Grigory Alexandrovich and Maxim Maksimych are too different in nature, so a strong friendship could not arise between them, but still I believe that, with all his restraint, Pechorin treats Maxim Maksimych warmly and appreciates him; he simply belongs to the category of people who hide their emotions deep within themselves and do not consider it necessary to express their feelings.

Pechorin’s inner world is very complex: neither the beautiful “savage” Bela, nor the kind-hearted Maxim Maksimych, who does not understand the depth of the officer’s suffering after the death of Bela, can comprehend it: “His face did not express anything special, and I felt annoyed: I would died of grief there." And only because Pechorin was unwell for a long time and lost weight, we understand the true power of Grigory Alexandrovich’s experiences.

A cool attitude towards meeting an old friend led to Maxim Maksimych becoming stubborn and grumpy. The officer-narrator guesses that Pechorin’s behavior is not a manifestation of spiritual emptiness and selfishness. Particular attention should be paid to the eyes, which did not laugh when he laughed. “This is a sign of either evil entitlement or deep, constant sadness.” I think this is, of course, melancholy. Longing for the fact that Grigory Alexandrovich does not find a worthy use for his extraordinary abilities.

Undoubtedly, Pechorin experiences fear, unfortunately, not groundless, but well-founded fear: he feels alone in this world, unnecessary and absolutely useless, I would even say “small”, yes, sometimes he feels exactly “small” from - because there is no use of his power.

In principle, Gregory, contrary to his own beliefs, is capable of sincere, great feelings, but his love is very complex, like everything about him. So the feeling for Vera awakens with renewed vigor only when there is a danger of forever losing the only woman who understood him, completely understood him!

“With the possibility of losing her forever, Vera became dearer to me than anything else in the world - dearer than life, honor, happiness!” - he admits. Having driven his horse on the way to Pyatigorsk, Pechorin “fell on the grass and cried like a child.” This is the power of feelings! His love is lofty, but tragic for himself and destructive for those who love him.

Therefore, I believe that Maxim Maksimych once again misunderstood Pechorin. Still, one should not be disappointed in the strength and sincerity of friendly relations, Grigory Alexandrovich simply hides his feelings too well, thereby bringing pain and despair to those who love him; in my opinion, this is another problem that negatively affects his life; he understands this.

I agree with Belinsky, who strongly defends Pechorin: “Are you saying that he is an egoist? But doesn't he despise and hate himself for this? The answer to this question is given to us by the hero himself: “My colorless youth was spent in a struggle with myself and the light; Fearing ridicule, I buried my best feelings in the depths of my heart; they died there..."

In the novel, the question about the meaning of life remains open: “Why did I live? For whom was he born? But, for sure, this goal existed, and, of course, there was his purpose, but he simply did not guess it.

In my opinion, the meeting between Pechorin and Maxim Maksimych also had its own specific meaning. Despite the fact that the staff captain was disappointed in friendship, he probably still had bright memories of the officer in his soul.

With his novel, the author wanted to lead young people onto the path of struggle, telling them: “How boring life is when there is no struggle!” To emphasize the typicality of Pechorin’s image for Russia, Lermontov calls his novel “A Hero of Our Time.” Many years later, this work has not lost its relevance, since people like Pechorin still live on our land; and I would really like to see people like Maxim Maksimych more often: with a broad, kind soul, capable of sincere friendship and understanding.

The dramatic change that occurs in Maxim Maksimych after Pechorin’s departure gives rise to disappointing thoughts in the author. How little a common man needed to be happy and how easy it was to make him unhappy - this is the author’s conclusion. It is obvious that the author does not approve of the destructive side of Pechorin’s character, which over the years increasingly prevails in him and ultimately leads the hero to self-destruction. In “Maxim Maksimych” Pechorin is no longer capable of those emotional movements that distinguished him before; he is a withdrawn, lonely and cold misanthrope, in front of whom only one road is open - to death. Meanwhile, Pechorin’s meeting with Maxim Maksimych only spurs the author’s interest in his hero, and if not for this accidental episode, Pechorin’s notes would never have ended up in his hands. The story turns out to be a connecting link between the parts of the novel; the episode of the meeting between Pechorin and Maxim Maksimych explains and motivates the further appearance of “Pechorin’s Journal” in the novel.

For what purpose was I born?.. But, it’s true, I had a high purpose, since I feel immense strength in my soul,” he says. In this uncertainty lie the origins of Pechorin’s attitude towards the people around him. He is indifferent to their experiences, therefore, without hesitation, he distorts other people's destinies. Pushkin wrote about such young people: “There are millions of two-legged creatures - for them there is only one name.” Using Pushkin’s words, we can say about Pechorin that his views on life “reflect the century, and modern man is depicted quite correctly, with his immoral soul, selfish and dry.”

This is how Lermontov saw his generation.

If A. S. Pushkin is considered to be the creator of the first realistic poetic novel about modernity, then Lermontov is probably the author of the first socio-psychological novel in prose. “A Hero of Our Time” is distinguished by the depth of its analysis of the psychological perception of the world.

And the meeting with Pechorin opened up a completely different world to him, the world of a person with values ​​other than military duty and following orders. In the life of the old staff captain, poor in vivid impressions (he was even accustomed to the whistling of bullets and the constant threat of death), his acquaintance with Pechorin stood apart. Of course, it was beyond the power of the simple-minded Maxim Maksimych to explain the actions of his young friend, but the charm of Pechorin’s personality turned out to be much greater than the lack of understanding of the true reasons for his “strangeness.” That is why, seeing Pechorin a few years later, “the poor old man, for the first time in his life, perhaps, abandoned the work of the service for his own needs.”

In the novel by M.Yu. Lermontov “A Hero of Our Time,” the events are presented in violation of the chronological sequence, so the reader learns about the main character first from the memoirs of Maxim Maksimych, and later from the diary entries of Pechorin himself.

Several years passed after the hero left the fortress, where he served together with Maxim Maksimych. Pechorin has already retired and lived in St. Petersburg, but boredom forces him to hit the road again. On the way to Persia, fate unexpectedly prepared for him a meeting (in Vladikavkaz) with a former colleague, Maxim Maksimych, but not only is he in no hurry to this meeting, but he could well have left without seeing each other. And there is an explanation for this.

Life in the fortress, where Pechorin was sent after the duel with Grushnitsky, was painful for him, too secluded and monotonous. Pechorin did not want to remember this life, and especially the story with Bela, whose tragic death was his fault. For certain reasons, the difficulties of everyday life and military life did not bring the young officer closer to his senior comrade, who helped him in everything. And over the past time, Pechorin has moved away even more. Apparently, it was the character of an individualist who did not want to experience a feeling of affection at all. He lacks such qualities as sociability, friendliness, affability, the desire for mutual assistance and mutual assistance. This is a closed, selfish person who did not allow anyone to “open the secrets of his soul.” He could be cold, mocking or even cruel so as not to get close to anyone.

Maxim Maksimych does not understand how one can not consider a former colleague as a friend, with whom he lived side by side for some time and shared the difficulties of military service. The old soldier, whose interests are focused on the honest performance of military duties, lives simply and modestly. This is a kind, sincere person, his heart is open to people, he is ready to pity and love those who, by the will of fate, find themselves next to him. Maxim Maksimych becomes attached to Pechorin, takes care of him and Bela, deeply worries about the death of the young mountain girl, and he cannot forget the past, everything that connects him with Pechorin. Therefore, he does not understand the behavior of a fellow employee, who seems not to be happy about the meeting and would like to avoid it.

In fact, everything is clear here. And not only because these heroes are very different. We must not forget that Pechorin is still a “suffering egoist.” When meeting after a certain period of time, it is more pleasant to remember good deeds or any good events. And what should Pechorin remember? How did he once again commit a selfish and thoughtless act? Or how did he perform “the role of an ax in the hands of fate”?

Over the years, Pechorin learned to distance himself from people: he did not make friends with anyone, he did not feel love for anyone. He is not only a disappointed, but also an indifferent person: he yawns when Maxim Maksimych tries to call him for a conversation; he is not interested in the fate of his own diary; he doesn’t ask his former colleague about anything, he doesn’t even ask about his health.
Pechorin offended Maxim Maksimych due to his callousness and indifference, but his behavior is also explained by many subjective reasons and objective circumstances.

The question also arises: why is Pechorin completely indifferent to the fate of his diary?
Every reader, like every critic, sees the character of the hero of the times in his own way.
Pechorin's diary was introduced by Lermontov as a compositional device in order to show a person's personality from the inside, since the hero's entries are "the result of observations of a mature mind over itself... without a vain desire to arouse participation or surprise."

What does the diary reflect? First of all, a tendency to reflection, that is, to introspection and comprehension of one’s actions, sensations, desires, and feelings. Why does Pechorin need this self-analysis if he is not going to change, to follow the path of personal self-improvement? There is only one answer: there is no definite goal, as in everything and always in the life of this person. He doesn’t know why he was born, why he studied, why he lives. “But I probably had a high purpose?” But life is wasted: I didn’t find a calling in the service, I didn’t make friends, there’s no love, there’s no family, I don’t feel needed. Complete disappointment in everything. Pechorin considers even his tears over the unexpected separation from Vera to be a consequence of an empty stomach or poor sleep. Although this episode is similar to the whim of a spoiled child because of a toy that he was suddenly deprived of.

Pechorin does not show off when he talks about cooling of feelings, disappointment, loss of interest in life and its complete aimlessness. This state of mind requires intense sensations, and he recklessly plays with fate, emphasizing that he does not value life. This is observed in the episode with the smugglers, and in the duel with Grushnitsky, and in the fight with the drunken Cossack.
Pechorin is indifferent to his future. How can he be not indifferent to the fate of his diary?

Maxim Maksimych, who found this abandoned confession, asks his former colleague what to do with the diary. And Pechorin answers: “Whatever you want.” By this time, he feels complete indifference to everyone and everything. He no longer wants to analyze his life, and the past is not interesting to him, just like the future. Everything loses its meaning, loses its value: people and life are not dear, old thoughts and feelings are not dear.