A NOVEL OF THE TRANSITORY AND THE ETERNAL: THE SOCIO-HISTORICAL AND UNIVERSAL IN "A HERO OF OUR TIME"

Abstract

Mikhail Lermontov’s A Hero of Our Time (1840) is a multifaceted novel that skillfully blends socio-historical analysis with universal explorations of human nature. Through the complex character of Pechorin, Lermontov critiques the moral disillusionment and alienation of the Russian aristocracy in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars while simultaneously addressing timeless themes of existential crisis, emotional detachment, and the search for meaning. The novel, often considered a precursor to existentialist literature, presents a fragmented narrative structure that reflects the ambiguity of human experience and identity. This article explores the novel's dual focus on the transitory nature of individual lives and the eternal struggle for existential understanding. By examining the socio-historical context of early 19th-century Russia and the universal themes Lermontov raises through Pechorin’s journey, this study reveals the novel's enduring relevance and profound insight into both the fleeting and the eternal aspects of human existence.