Transformative Women In A Hero Of Our Time

Lermentov's most iconic novel, A Hero of Our Time tells the tale of a wandering soldier, Pechorin. Pechorin encounters many transformative women throughout his journey. A fateful prophecy about his death shapes all his interaction with these women. "When I was still a child, an old woman told my fortune to my mother. She predicted of me "death from a wicked wife"" (137). In A Hero of Our Time, Lermentov's hero tries to escape his fate through women when, ironically, they are his fate.

Pechorin uses women as distractions, regardless of the adverse consequences. Pechorin kidnaps Bela to appease his infatuation, without any consideration for her desires. Pechorin uses her for pleasure and throws her aside when he's done. Pechorin defends his
Vera is the "only woman on earth whom [Pechorin] could not bear to deceive", the only one Pechorin truly loves. Likewise, Vera is "the only woman who has completely understood [Pechorin]" and she loves him, regardless of his many faults (114). Despite their emotional connection, Pechorin toys with her by flirting with Princess Mary. Yet, when "faced by the possibility of losing Vera forever, [Pechorin] felt that she had become dearer to [him] than anything in the world." (158). Pechorin spends his entire life running away from women because of the prophecy. In this scene, Pechorin's facade of indifference dissolves and he chases someone who could be the cause of his death. In that moment, she becomes his "true, infinite passion", the impossible goal (116). He pursues her, in a "senseless" and "useless" manner (158). The irony is that Pechorin will die anyways. But, unlike the rest of the novel, Pechorin acts as though he believes his life is his to live in this moment. The fate of his death has been decided, but he feels as though he can still decide his life. But when he is unable to reach her, he breaks down, "crying like a child" (158). He missed his opportunity to change his life. Afterwards Pechorin wonders "why [he] had not wanted to tread that path, which fate had opened for me, where quiet joys and peace of mind awaited [him]" (162). Herein lies the truth to Pechorin's character. Though Pechorin pretends otherwise, he wants to live with companionship and hope. He hides that desire because he knows that any such life would be absurd and meaningless after his death. So, he returns to his swashbuckling, dispassionate attitude where he prolongs his life by living it alone. "I am like a sailor born and bred on the deck of a pirate brig. His soul is used to storms and battles, and, when cast out on the shore, he feels bored and oppressed."