An analysis of the duel between Pechorin and Grushnitsky, the reasons for the duel

"Princess Mary", the chapter of Lermontov's "Hero of Our Time", tells us about vain human passions, heartlessness, irresponsibility, and finally - immorality of the modern author of society.

The protagonist of the work - a man endowed with a sharp mind and inner nobility, used them for insignificant entertainment, to call innocent the language does not turn. He himself looks "at the sufferings and joys of others ... as a food that supports my mental strength." Much thanks to this "energy vampirism" and duel Pechorin and Grushnitsky. The analysis of the episode, as well as of all previous events, allows us to come to this conclusion.

Character of Grushnitsky

The dynamics of the development of the relationship of these characters - one of the main in the story. The author shows the reader a shortcut from hostility to hatred, from stupidity to meanness, from narcissism to aggression. Before starting the analysis of the duel between Pechorin and Grushnitsky, it is necessary to understand what made the young people take up arms.

So, in Pyatigorsk, on the waters, there are two people. They dislike each other, but at the same time they support friendly relations. Pechorin Grushnitsky despises. In his opinion, he is stupid, pompous, little capable of sincere feelings. The whole life of a young cadet-a pretense, even a soldier's overcoat, which he wears, following the new Caucasian fashion, does not mean anything, for soon a young man will be promoted to officers.

The personality of Pechorin

Pechorin has everything that Grushnitsky tries to demonstrate. And disappointment in life, and rich past, and power over the woman's heart. In principle, the analysis of the duel of Pechorin and Grushnitsky should indeed begin with the characteristics of opponents.

There is no positive hero in this work, although the character, on whose behalf the narrative is conducted, still looks preferable. Pechorin, at least, is indisputable, intelligent and able not to lie at least to himself. And this quality is quite rare in people.

The habit of the main character is constantly to dissect his own feelings, perhaps, somewhere played a cruel joke with him. He himself admits that his personality splits: one Pechorin lives, the other closely observes him. I must say that he copes with this task "perfectly", not sparing his "alter ego" not a drop. It's no surprise that the surrounding people are also receiving an object of unkind attention.

In every person Pechorin sees weaknesses and vices - and can not find in himself neither the strength nor the desire to forgive them.

Illusory love

But back to the story, the key to which is the analysis of the duel of Pechorin and Grushnitsky: the brief content of their quarrels in is fully capable of proving that the reason was not so much a woman as the characteristics of the characters' character.

A young cadet is taking care of the Moscow princess. The reason is its touching participation in the wounded soldier (Grushnitsky flaunts in a greatcoat) - the girl gives him a dropped glass.

An insignificant event is enough for a romantic hero to rush to play the role of a madly in love. Watching him amuses Pechorin - Grushnitsky completely deprived of both sense of proportion and ability to self-criticism. The young man not only seems to be in the power of a sincere feeling - he immediately convinces himself of his reciprocity and presents his non-existent rights to an outsider, in fact, a woman.

"You can not mistake real tenderness ..."

The subsequent analysis of the duel between Pechorin and Grushnitsky clearly shows how little in the heart of the young cadet of love and how much is hurt pride. After all, he does not hesitate to slander his beloved, seeking to denigrate her name - and in fact Princess Mary did him nothing wrong. Prone to exaggerate everything, Grushnitsky interpreted her innocent interest and disposition as love. But is the girl to blame for this?

The reason for the loss of interest in Grushnitsky was, among other things, Pechorin, who, in part from boredom, in part to the so-called so-called. Friend, gets from the young princess a great feeling. He is intelligent, educated, interesting as an interlocutor. It's all the more easy for him that he is cold-blooded - which means that the probability of making a mistake is not great. Using the knowledge of the female nature, Pechorin becomes the cause of sleepless nights and deep sorrow of an innocent being.

Irresponsibility and vice

In this sense, the protagonist of the story does not cause sympathy - at least in the female part of the audience. He did not behave in the best way either with Princess Mary, or with her long-standing love, Vera, and even her husband. Such behavior is all the more unforgivable, that nobility is not at all alien to the hero: the analysis of the duel between Pechorin and Grushnitsky does not contradict this version.

Events of the story begin to rush to jump after the young cadet is finally assured that the opponent was luckier. He does not hesitate to deprive Princess Mary of the Pechorin society - and makes a big mistake. Grushnitsky can not offer anything in return: his conversation is dull and monotonous, he himself is ridiculous. Convincing Mary quickly disappointed in her cavalier, which infuriates him.

Formally, it was thanks to this unsuccessful passion that the duel between Pechorin and Grushnitsky took place. The analysis of the behavior of both characters makes one pay tribute to the protagonist of the story. He, at least, can not be charged with cowardice and meanness.

His Majesty the Case

Do not be a laughing stock Pechorin helped case: a young officer accidentally becomes a secret witness to the shameful agreement between Grushnitsky and his new friend, dragoon captain. This person is very interesting and acts in the story as a kind of demon-instigator, which is confirmed by the analysis of the duel of Pechorin and Grushnitsky. According to the plan of the scoundrel (with whom, however, the young officer agreed), the conditions of the duel were to make the hated "favorite of fate" cowardice. Put opponents at six steps, give them unloaded pistols and enjoy the victim's fright - this was the original plan of the "gang of Grushnitsky."

After the incident in the garden, when the protagonist was seen near the balcony of the princess (and in fact, returning from a date with the married Vera), the plans of the dragoon captain changed. The reason was the blow that Pechorin inflicted on him in the dark. Enraged, the scoundrel set out to destroy the offender, using his young friend in low aims. Now the analysis of the duel between Pechorin and Grushnitsky, the reasons for which, in essence, consist in idleness and unimportant spiritual qualities of the participants, acquires even more food for thought: the unlucky claimant for the heart of Princess Mary agrees that the duel took place on different conditions. It is decided to charge only one gun - even if it will be a cold-blooded murder.

Test of endurance

All these secret plans become known to the protagonist: analysis of the duel of Pechorin and Grushnitsky, briefly, gives reason to think that the main character of the story is also looking for an excuse to kill yesterday's friend. Only before he wants to finally make sure of the enemy's insubordination, "to give himself the full right not to spare him."

Already in the preparation for the fight, Pechorin changes his conditions to even more severe. Now each of the duelists must wait for the shot at the very edge of the mountain platform - then almost any wound will be fatal, since the bullet-struck enemy will certainly fall on sharp stones. Pechorin patiently waits for the shot of the hesitant Grushnitsky - and only after the bullet has scratched his leg, orders him to load his pistol.

Price of fun

A young man who has not shown himself in the best way does not resist and even gives a fair assessment of his actions, responding to the enemy's proposal to make peace: "I despise myself, and I hate you ... we do not have a place on the ground together".

Only now, having achieved the desired, Pechorin shoots. When the smoke dissipates, everyone sees that the edge of the platform is empty, and the winner, who is faithful to the image of the cynic, gives a kind of assessment of what happened: finita la comedia, stunning even his own second.

So the duel between Pechorin and Grushnitsky ends. Analysis of the feelings of the protagonist tells the reader that the incident did not bring him pleasure - his heart is hard.

The denouement can hardly be considered happy: Grushnitsky died, the life of the Faith, which, in the frenzy of anxiety for the beloved, confessed to her husband in treachery, is broken by the heart of a young princess. We must admit that Pechorin was entertained for glory ...