In the novel by M.Yu Lermontov “A Hero of Our Time,” a conflict unfolds between officer Grushnitsky and the main character, Pechorin, and subsequently their clash turns into an illegal action—a duel. Grushnitsky, deciding to take revenge for the insult to his honor and dignity, entered into an agreement with his comrades, who subsequently pushed him to a terrible adventure. They decided to deceive Pechorin by giving him an unloaded pistol in the fatal duel. As fate would have it, the hero hears a conspiracy against him and begins to play his own game, in which he ultimately emerges victorious.
After the discovery of the vile plan, Pechorin, satisfied with his pride, gives the last chance for salvation to Grushnitsky. If he renounces his words and slander against him, the hero gives him life, to which the enemy refuses: “Shoot, I despise myself, but I hate you. If you don't kill me, I'll stab you at night from around the corner. There is no place for the two of us on earth.” This is how the fight ends terrible death. Not wanting to give in to each other, and not coming to a common decision, two once good friends become worst enemies, for whom there is only one place in this life.
How is Pechorin’s personality revealed in his self-assessment “I never value anything”?
Pechorin is quite smart and well understands that his attitude towards others is not particularly sincere and honest.
He is incapable of understanding the regrets of others. And she takes feelings for him for granted. The hero only uses people around him for entertainment and to satisfy his whims. He does not try to show compassion or mercy, every time he takes care of himself first. The hero knows all this, but at the same time he does not strive to become different, he continues his life, even though in the depths of his soul he understands that such an attitude will not bring happiness to him or anyone around him, he is trying to find a way out, to find himself ..but, alas...he still doesn’t find the answers. All that remains for him to do is to live, using the feelings of others, to saturate himself with at least a grain of human feelings. (p. 508) He is not capable of friendship and he himself admits this, and he talks about love as an ardent feeling of youth, which cannot exist in adulthood. Reason is above any feeling - this is the motto of the Hero of our time.
Why M.Yu. Lermontov violates chronological sequence in the arrangement of the chapters of the novel “A Hero of Our Time”?
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Updated: 2017-11-12
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One of the main characters in the novel “A Hero of Our Time” by M.Yu. Lermontov is Grigory Aleksandrovich Pechorin. The work is structured in such a way as to fully reveal the character of this hero. After all, the image of Pechorin is collective; in it the author wanted to show the hero of the time. That is why all the episodes are significant and in turn reveal one or the other facet of the hero’s personality.
Pechorin's duel with Grushnitsky is a very indicative moment of Pechorin's character, and also shows how different he is from the same Grushnitsky and other heroes. Pechorin is forced to ask for a challenge to a duel due to the fact that Grushnitsky began to weave intrigues and spread unscrupulous rumors.
Before the duel, Grigory Alexandrovich is occupied important questions, he thinks about what he lived for. In the course of reflection, he comes to the conclusion that he could not guess his purpose. It is here that an important character trait of Pechorin is revealed, this is his honesty with himself. His concentrated state allows him to see the beauty of the morning on the way to the duel site. Despite the great risk, Pechorin controls himself and is an example of self-control.
Grushnitsky was unable to carry out his cunning plan and not shoot at Pechorin. But his pride does not allow him to admit everything. He becomes a victim of his unsuccessful enterprise against Pechorin, who behaves very nobly. Even knowing about the enemy’s plan, he still gives Grushnitsky a chance.
After the duel, Pechorin feels depressed; the sun, which before this event seemed bright, now seems dim to him. The duel made the hero feel a lot and change his mind, and this is very important for the development of his personality.
In this episode, the author put the heroes in the face of death. Pechorin's contradictory character is fully revealed here, as is the pettiness of Grushnitsky's nature. Pechorin does not kill him out of anger; rather, he is not yet ready to step over public opinion. This scene shows the hero of time as the author saw him
Essay on the theme of the Duel of Pechorin and Grushnitsky
Using the description of the duel, Lermontov wanted to more accurately convey the characters’ characters. From the very beginning of the work, the reader is presented with two completely opposite heroes. Grushnitsky is more of a romantic who follows fashion rather than his soul. It follows from this that Grushnitsky plays his life and his feelings, adapting to his environment. It is filled with unreal feelings.
The duel played an important role for Pechorin. He is quite determined to die and is ready to die. Pechorin decides to change the rules of the duel and chooses a dangerous place where there is not the slightest chance of survival. The top of the mountain was chosen as such a place.
Initially, Grushnitsky’s hatred of Pechorin was noticeable; it is impossible to name the exact reason, but the enemy was clearly wiser and stronger.
Grushnitsky goes into a duel knowing that he will lose, and it turns out that he cannot even shoot. Pechorin tried in every possible way to achieve reconciliation, gave the enemy the opportunity to leave, but he, in turn, continued to play his game, not realizing that he was going too far.
The description of the duel can be divided into several parts, the first covering the day before the duel, and the second the incident itself. Pechorin always knew what he was doing and was aware of his actions, so he never doubted or regretted anything. Lermontov did not fully reveal the image of Pechorin, so the reader cannot fully answer the question of what exactly the hero was like.
But the main thing is that the author constructed the work in such a way that every reader will find something for himself. Also, the duel scene does not give us a clear idea of the person. The author added a lot of internal monologues that add atmosphere to the duel.
The main thing that can be taken away from the work is that the author, by conveying the image of Pechorin, encourages a person to look at himself from the outside and look into his soul in order to understand whether there are traces of Pechorin’s traits in himself.
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episode analysis. Duel between Pechorin and Grushnitsky
- Grushnitsky died
- Pechorin admits: I have long lived not with my heart, but with my head. I weigh and examine my own passions and actions both with strict curiosity and without participation. (recorded on June 16).
Is the hero absolutely right in this statement? (Remember his state before the duel, his behavior upon learning of Vera’s departure, and his general attitude towards her). Does this quality that he does not notice in himself enrich or impoverish his nature? - Roman M. Yu. Lermontov The hero of our time is psychological. It is dedicated to an extraordinary personality, a person who, unfortunately, cannot find application for his abilities. To further reveal the character of the main character, the author depicts his friends and enemies. Thus, the suffering Pechorin is contrasted by Grushnitsky false mirror, which wears a mask of disappointment, constantly plays with extraordinary feelings, sublime passions and exceptional suffering.
This cadet considers himself an honest and decent person, but if his pride is touched, he will immediately forget about his nobility. The best for that confirmation of the quarrel and duel of the hero with Pechorin. The episode of the duel is one of the key ones in the novel: here, being between life and death, each of the rivals reveals his true face.
The duel in Princess Mary is unlike any other in Russian literature, because this tragic way of resolving a quarrel usually excludes any deceit and is distinguished by the impeccable honesty of the participants. Here the fight is based on a vile conspiracy between Grushnitsky and a certain dragoon captain. The latter, of course, does not think about the terrible outcome of the case, his goal is to have fun by presenting Pechorin as a coward and disgracing him, but this does not reduce his guilt. Grushnitsky is stupid: he trusted a self-confident and irresponsible person. At the beginning of the duel, the captain is convinced that events will unfold according to his plan: “We have been waiting for you for a long time,” he says with an ironic smile to Werner and Pechorin, hinting at their lateness. But the heroes arrived on time! Instead of reconciling the participants in the duel, the captain tries to intensify the conflict. Grushnitsky's second violates the first rule of conduct in a duel. But Werner diplomatically corrects the situation: you, gentlemen, could explain yourself and end this matter amicably. Pechorin expresses his readiness to make peace, but here the dragoon captain enters again, blinking at Grushnitsky. Here we understand how dangerous the cadet's second is. He personifies the opinion of society, which with great pleasure will mock Grushnitsky if he refuses to duel. Now there is no turning back for the cadet. “We will shoot,” says Grushnitsky, not yet suspecting that he is signing his own death warrant.
Pechorin is a good psychologist. I think he would also make an excellent teacher, because he skillfully tries to re-educate his opponent, to awaken his conscience. Grushnitsky would have repented, but he is so weak in spirit, and here is the dragoon captain nearby!
We should also note the courage of Pechorin. Taking mortal risks, he remains confident. He even has time to notice the beauty of the landscape. The hero complicates the already cruel conditions of the duel, continuing to test not only Grushnitsky, but also himself, and in advance freeing himself from the future pangs of conscience. By lot, the cadet gets to shoot first.
He blushed; he was ashamed to kill an unarmed man, but how could he admit to such vile intent? . It's a pity for the poor fellow: he paid very dearly for pride and selfishness. Grushnitsky aims at Pechorin's forehead. Does he really want to commit murder? For what? There is only one answer: to get rid of shame, from accusations of cowardice. At the fatal moment for Pechorin, Werner behaves interestingly. He is obliged to prevent the tragedy, as an honest second who knows about the conspiracy, and finally, as a doctor who took the Hippocratic oath, but does not do this. How so? I condemn Werner and sympathize with Pechorin, who is doomed to proud loneliness among weak-willed people. Everyone obeys the main character, but this only makes things worse for him.
Grushnitsky did not have time to complete his dirty deed: the same weakness prevented him. The bullet grazed Pechorin's knee, and he was able to stay on the narrow platform. We can say that here fate is already giving Grushnitsky another chance. But instead of repentance, the hero continues his vile game. He is calm, even cheerful: everything is about to end. Now Grushnitsky is not interested in either God or the soul. But in vain. Doctor, these gentlemen, probably in a hurry, forgot to put the pool
- Pechorin fired, but missed, and Grushnitsky, because he was standing on the edge of a cliff, shuddered and fell and died.
- Pechorin and Grushnitsky in a duel scene
Main actor novel by M. Yu. Lermontov The hero of our time is Pechorin.
The events described in the work take place in the Caucasus. And this is probably not an accident, since at that time people persecuted by the government were sent here. Among them was Pechorin, who was exiled to the Caucasus for some sensational story in St. Petersburg. Here he met Grushnitsky, who had arrived at the waters to heal his wounds. Pechorin and Grushnitsky served together in the active detachment and met like old friends.
The Grushnitsky cadet, he somehow wears his thick soldier’s overcoat in a special way, speaks in pompous phrases, the mask of disappointment does not leave his face. Producing an effect is his main pleasure. The goal of his life is to become the hero of a novel. He is proud. Bored Pechorin, having nothing else to do, decided to play on his friend’s pride, foreseeing in advance that one of them would be in trouble. And the opportunity was not long in coming. Pechorin was forced to challenge Grushnitsky to a duel for the vile slander that he spread against his friend. Incited by his friends, Grushnitsky, so as not to look like a coward, accepted the challenge.
The night before the duel, Pechorin could not sleep and mentally asked himself: Why did I live? For what purpose was I born? And he noted with sadness that he had not guessed his high purpose, had forever lost the ardor of noble aspirations, best color life and played the role of an ax in the hands of fate. Pechorin feels the presence of two people in him: ...one lives in the full sense of the word, the other thinks and judges him... Our hero, deeply and subtly feeling nature, before the fight peers into every dewdrop and says: I don’t remember the morning anymore blue and fresh...
And here Pechorin stands at gunpoint. The conditions of the duel are very strict. With the slightest injury, you can find yourself in the abyss. How much self-control and endurance he has! He knows that his gun is not loaded, that in a minute his life could end. He wants to test Grushnitsky to the end. But he forgets about honor, conscience and decency when his pride is affected. No generosity awoke in Grushnitsky’s petty soul. And he shot at an unarmed man. Fortunately, the bullet only grazed his opponent's knee. Contempt and anger gripped Pechorin at the thought that this man could so easily kill him.
But despite everything, Pechorin is ready to forgive his opponent and says: Grushnitsky, there is still time. Give up your slander, and I will forgive you everything, you did not manage to fool me, and my pride is satisfied. Grushnitsky, his eyes flashing, replied: Shoot. I despise myself, and I hate you... There is no place for the two of us on earth... Pechorin did not miss.
The author showed that in the face of death, the hero of the novel turned out to be as dual as we saw him throughout the entire work. He sincerely feels sorry for Grushnitsky, who, with the help of intriguers, found himself in a stupid position. Pechorin was ready to forgive him, but at the same time he could not refuse the duel due to the prejudices that existed in society. Feeling his loneliness among the water society, among people like Grushnitsky, condemning this society, Pechorin himself is a slave to its Morality.
Pechorin repeatedly speaks of his duality, and his duality, as we see, is not a mask, but a real state of mind.
The events described in the work take place in the Caucasus. And this is probably not an accident, since at that time people persecuted by the government were sent here. Among them was Pechorin, who was exiled to the Caucasus for some sensational story in St. Petersburg. Here he met Grushnitsky, who had arrived at the waters to heal his wounds. Pechorin and Grushnitsky served together in the active detachment and met like old friends.
The confrontation between Pechorin and Grushnitsky is shown in the chapter “Princess Mary”. The story is told from the perspective of Pechorin. He is prone to analyzing situations, people and himself, so his story can be considered objective to a greater or lesser extent. He knows how to notice in people character traits and convey them in two or three words. But at the same time, all shortcomings and flaws are mercilessly ridiculed.
They saw Princess Mary for the first time almost simultaneously. From that moment on, a thin crack lay between them, which eventually turned into an abyss. Grushnitsky, a provincial romantic, is seriously infatuated with the princess. Pechorin's eternal enemy - boredom - forces him to infuriate the princess with various petty antics. All this is done without a shadow of hostility, but solely out of a desire to entertain oneself.
The behavior of both heroes in relation to Princess Mary does not evoke much sympathy. Grushnitsky is a windbag, he loves beautiful words and gestures. He wants life to resemble a sentimental novel. That is why he attributes to others the feelings that he would like them to experience.
On the other hand, Pechorin is a sensible man who has studied women, and is also a cynic. He amuses himself with a love affair with Mary. He enjoys this game, just as he enjoys watching the development of the relationship between Grushnitsky and the princess. Pechorin, unlike Grushnitsky, perfectly foresees further development events.
In their hearts, Pechorin and Grushnitsky do not have particularly warm feelings for each other. Each of them has too many of those character traits that are unacceptable to the other.
Grushnitsky is a poser, he “somehow in a special way” wears his thick soldier’s overcoat, speaks in pompous phrases, the mask of disappointment does not leave his face. Producing an effect is his main pleasure. The goal of his life is to become the hero of a novel. He is proud. Bored Pechorin, having nothing else to do, decided to play on his friend’s pride, foreseeing in advance that one of them would be in trouble. And the opportunity was not long in coming. Pechorin was forced to challenge Grushnitsky to a duel for the vile slander that he spread against his friend. Incited by “his friends,” Grushnitsky, so as not to look like a coward, accepted the challenge.
The night before the duel, Pechorin could not sleep and mentally asked himself: “Why did I live? For what purpose was I born? And he noted with sadness that he did not guess his “high purpose”, “he lost forever the ardor of noble aspirations, the best color of life and played the role of an ax in the hands of fate.” Pechorin feels the presence of two people in him: “... one lives in the full sense of the word, the other thinks and judges him...” Our hero, who deeply and subtly feels nature, before the fight peers into every dewdrop and says: “I don’t I remember mornings more blue and
fresh..."
And here Pechorin stands at gunpoint. The conditions of the duel are very strict. With the slightest injury, you can find yourself in the abyss. How much self-control and endurance he has. He knows that his gun is not loaded, that in a minute his life could end. He wants to test Grushnitsky to the end. But he forgets about honor, conscience and decency when his pride is affected. Grushnitsky’s petty soul did not awaken to generosity, and he shot at the unarmed man. Fortunately, the bullet only grazed his opponent’s knee. Contempt and anger gripped Pechorin at the thought that this man could have killed so easily.
his.
But despite everything, Pechorin is ready to forgive his opponent and says: “Grushnitsky, there is still time. Give up your slander, and I will forgive you everything, you didn’t manage to fool me, and my pride is satisfied.” Grushnitsky, his eyes flashing, replied: “Shoot. I despise myself, and I hate you... There is no place for the two of us on earth...” Pechorin did not miss.
The author showed that in the face of death, the hero of the novel turned out to be as dual as we saw him throughout the entire work. He sincerely feels sorry for Grushnitsky, who, with the help of intriguers, found himself in a stupid position. Pechorin was ready to forgive him, but at the same time he could not refuse the duel due to the prejudices that existed in society. Feeling his loneliness among the water society, among people like Grushnitsky, condemning this society, Pechorin himself is a slave to its morality.
Pechorin repeatedly speaks of his duality, and his duality, as we see, is not a mask, but a real state of mind.
This is how the story of the relationship between Pechorin and Grushnitsky ends. You cannot judge who is right and who is wrong. And it is not known who is more sorry: the deceased Grushnitsky or the departed Pechorin. The first will never be able to fulfill his romantic dreams, and the second never had them. Grushnitsky did not want to be killed, but Pechorin did not care. Perhaps it was better for Pechorin to die, because he does not see the meaning in his existence. This is his tragedy.
SEER OR DREAMER?
P.Zabolotsky Portrait of M.Yu.Lermontov 1837
I wrote about the fact that Lermontov was a duelist and how it all ended in the post “Duels in Painting.” Here I consider the duel of the most famous characters Mikhail Yuryevich - Pechorin and Grushnitsky. The poet's contemporaries, including V.G. Belinsky, identified Pechorin with Lermontov himself. With his behavior and actions he very much resembled a daring, ironic poet. Although the author of “A Hero of Our Time” himself wrote that “Pechorin is a portrait made up of the vices of an entire generation.” I will not go into an analysis of the work and the characters, but will simply introduce them.
So, let's get acquainted with the duelists:
P. Boklevsky Pechorin illustration for the novel "Hero of Our Time"
GRIGORY ALEXANDROVICH PECHORIN
Young man 25 years old. “Recently in the Caucasus, transferred from Russia.” Hearing at the ball how Grushnitsky discredits the name of Princess Mary, he challenges the latter to a duel.
Detailed description of Pechorin’s image:
Mikhail Vrubel Mary and Grushnitsky illustration for the novel "Hero of Our Time"
GRUSHNITSKY
He is 21 years old. He is a cadet, however, he already has the St. George Cross. He is on leave due to injury. According to Pechorin, “he suffers from romantic fanaticism.”
Pechorin met Grushnitsky while in the active detachment. Grushnitsky went to the waters a week earlier than Pechorin, after being wounded in the leg. “He has only been in service for a year, and wears, out of a special kind of dandyishness, a thick soldier’s overcoat. He is well built, dark and black-haired.”
He speaks quickly and pretentiously: he is one of those people who have ready-made pompous phrases for all occasions, who are not touched by simply beautiful things and who are solemnly draped in extraordinary feelings, sublime passions and exceptional suffering. To produce an effect is their delight; Romantic provincial women like them crazy. He is quite sharp: his epigrams are often funny, but they are never pointed or evil: he will not kill anyone with one word; he does not know people and their weak strings, because his whole life he has been focused on himself. His goal is to become the hero of a novel. He tried so often to convince others that he was a being not created for the world, doomed to some kind of secret suffering, that he himself was almost convinced of it. Pechorin writes in his diary: “I understood him, and he doesn’t love me for this, although outwardly we are on the most friendly terms. Grushnitsky is reputed to be an excellent brave man; I saw him in action: he waves a saber, shouts and rushes forward, closing his eyes. This is something not Russian courage!.. I don’t like him either: I feel that we will someday collide with him on a narrow road, and one of us will be in trouble.” Grushnitsky is in love with Princess Mary.
The story “Princess Mary” is written in the form of diary entries. On May 11, Pechorin arrives in Pyatigorsk. On June 17, his duel with Grushnitsky takes place.
The history of the duel itself fits into ten days.
June 5th.
Grushnitsky appears at Pechorin’s and “rather casually” asks: “They say, these days you... have been hanging around after my princess?” He denies this rumor.
At the ball, Pechorin dances with Mary and kisses her hand. Grushnitsky is going to take revenge on him, and he manages to unite several people against Pechorin, including the dragoon captain. Pechorin is pleased with this, as he craves thrills.
June 12th.
Pechorin, through the window of the settlement house, watches a military feast, at which the dragoon captain, getting excited, demands: “Pechorin must be taught a lesson!” Those gathered discuss how they can do this. It was decided that Grushnitsky should challenge Pechorin to a duel. There will be no bullets in the pistols, but Pechorin will not know about this. Grushnitsky supports the conspirators.
June 15th.
Magician Apfelbaum comes to Kislovodsk. Everyone is going to the show. Pechorin passes by Vera's windows and picks up a note in which Vera invites him to her place in the evening. Closer to the appointed time, he gets up and leaves. On the way, he notices that someone is following him. He spends the whole evening with Vera. Around two o'clock in the morning he comes down from upper balcony to the bottom and glances at Princess Mary's window. When Pechorin jumps onto the turf, Grushnitsky and the dragoon captain grab him and try to detain him, but he breaks free.
Everything else will be “told” to you by the source.
Postcard with a view of the outskirts of old Kislovodsk. Place of Pechorin's duel with Grushnitsky
I will continue my journal, interrupted by so many strange events.
I re-read the last page: funny! I thought about dying; this was impossible: I have not yet drained the cup of suffering, and now I feel that I still have a long time to live.
How clearly and sharply everything that happened was cast in my memory! Not a single feature, not a single shade has been erased by time!
I remember that during the night preceding the fight, I did not sleep for a minute. I could not write for a long time: a secret anxiety took possession of me. I walked around the room for an hour; then I sat down and opened Walter Scott’s novel, which was lying on my table: it was “The Scottish Puritans” I read at first with effort, then I forgot, carried away by the magical fiction... Is it really that the Scottish bard in the other world is not paid for every joyful minute that he gives His book?..
Finally it was dawn. My nerves calmed down. I looked in the mirror; dull pallor covered my face, which bore traces of painful insomnia; but the eyes, although surrounded by a brown shadow, shone proudly and inexorably. I was pleased with myself.
Having ordered the horses to be saddled, I got dressed and ran to the bathhouse. Plunging into the cold boiling water of Narzan, I felt my physical and mental strength returning. I came out of the bath fresh and alert, as if I was going to a ball. After this, say that the soul does not depend on the body!..
When I returned, I found a doctor at my place. He was wearing gray leggings, an arkhaluk and a Circassian hat. I burst out laughing when I saw this small figure under a huge shaggy hat: his face was not at all warlike, and this time it was even longer than usual.
- Why are you so sad, doctor? - I told him. “Didn’t you see people off to the next world a hundred times with the greatest indifference?” Imagine that I have bilious fever; I can recover, I can die; both are in order; try to look at me as at a patient obsessed with a disease still unknown to you - and then your curiosity will be aroused to the point of highest degree; You can now make several important physiological observations on me... Waiting violent death Isn't there already a real disease?
This thought struck the doctor, and he became amused.
We mounted; Werner grabbed the reins with both hands, and we set off - instantly galloped past the fortress through a settlement and drove into a gorge along which a road wound, half-overgrown with tall grass and every minute crossed by a noisy stream, through which it was necessary to ford, to the great despair of the doctor, because that his horse stopped in the water every time.
................
Mikhail Vrubel Duel of Pechorin and Grushnitsky 1890-91
There the path became narrower, the cliffs became bluer and more terrible, and, finally, they seemed to converge like an impenetrable wall. We drove in silence.
-Have you written your will? - Werner suddenly asked.
- No.
- What if you are killed?..
- The heirs will find themselves.
- Don’t you have friends to whom you would like to send your last farewell?..
I shook my head.
- Is there really no woman in the world to whom you would like to leave something as a keepsake?..
“Do you want, doctor,” I answered him, “for me to reveal my soul to you?.. You see, I survived those years when people die by pronouncing the name of their beloved and bequeathing to a friend a piece of pomaded or unpomaded hair.” Thinking about imminent and possible death, I think about one thing: others don’t even do this. Friends who will forget me tomorrow or, worse, construct God knows what kind of lies about me; women who, hugging another, will laugh at me, so as not to arouse in him jealousy for the deceased - God be with them! From the storm of life I brought only a few ideas - and not a single feeling. For a long time now I have been living not with my heart, but with my head. I weigh and examine my own passions and actions with strict curiosity, but without participation. There are two people in me: one lives in the full sense of the word, the other thinks and judges it; the first, perhaps, in an hour will say goodbye to you and the world forever, and the second... the second? Look, doctor: do you see three black figures on the rock to the right? These seem to be our opponents?..
We set off at a trot.
Three horses were tied in the bushes at the base of the rock; We tied ours right there, and along a narrow path we climbed to the platform where Grushnitsky was waiting for us with the dragoon captain and his other second, whose name was Ivan Ignatievich; I have never heard his name.
“We’ve been waiting for you for a long time,” said the dragoon captain with an ironic smile.
I took out my watch and showed it to him.
He apologized, saying his watch was running out.
An awkward silence continued for several minutes; Finally the doctor interrupted him, turning to Grushnitsky.
“It seems to me,” he said, “that if you both showed a willingness to fight and paid this debt to the conditions of honor, you, gentlemen, could explain yourself and end this matter amicably.”
“I’m ready,” I said.
The captain blinked at Grushnitsky, and this one, thinking that I was a coward, assumed a proud look, although until that moment a dull pallor had covered his cheeks. It was the first time since we arrived that he looked up at me; but there was some kind of anxiety in his gaze, revealing an internal struggle.
“Explain your conditions,” he said, “and whatever I can do for you, rest assured...
“Here are my conditions: you will now publicly renounce your slander and ask me for an apology...
- Dear sir, I am surprised, how dare you offer me such things?..
- What could I offer you besides this?..
- We will shoot...
I shrugged.
- Perhaps; just think that one of us will certainly be killed.
- I wish it were you...
- And I’m so sure otherwise...
He was embarrassed, blushed, and then laughed forcedly.
The captain took him by the arm and led him aside; they whispered for a long time. I arrived in a rather peaceful mood, but all this was starting to infuriate me.
The doctor came up to me.
“Listen,” he said with obvious concern, “you probably forgot about their plot?.. I don’t know how to load a pistol, but in this case... You a strange man! Tell them that you know their intention, and they will not dare... What a hunt! They'll shoot you down like a bird...
- Please don’t worry, doctor, and wait... I’ll arrange everything in such a way that there will be no benefit on their side. Let them whisper...
- Gentlemen, this is getting boring! - I told them loudly, - fight like that, fight; you had time to talk yesterday...
“We are ready,” answered the captain. - Stand up, gentlemen!.. Doctor, if you please measure six steps...
M. Zichy Duel of Pechorin with Grushnitsky
Stand up! - Ivan Ignatich repeated in a squeaky voice.
- Allow me! - I said, - one more condition; since we will fight to the death, we are obliged to do everything possible so that this remains a secret and so that our seconds are not held accountable. Do you agree?..
- We completely agree.
- So, here's what I came up with. Do you see a narrow platform at the top of this steep cliff, to the right? from there to the bottom there will be thirty fathoms, if not more; there are sharp rocks below. Each of us will stand at the very edge of the site; thus, even a slight wound will be fatal: this must be in accordance with your desire, because you yourself have prescribed the six steps. Anyone who is wounded will certainly fly down and be broken into pieces; The doctor will remove the bullet. And then it will be very easy to explain this sudden death as an unsuccessful jump. We'll draw lots to see who should shoot first. In conclusion, I announce to you that otherwise I will not fight.
- Perhaps! - said the dragoon captain, looking expressively at Grushnitsky, who nodded his head in agreement. His face changed every minute. I put him in a difficult position. Shooting under ordinary conditions, he could aim at my leg, easily wound me and thus satisfy his revenge without burdening his conscience too much; but now he had to shoot into the air, or become a murderer, or, finally, abandon his vile plan and expose himself to the same danger as me. At this moment I would not want to be in his place. He took the captain aside and began to say something to him with great fervor; I saw how his blue lips trembled; but the captain turned away from him with a contemptuous smile. "You're a fool! - he said to Grushnitsky quite loudly, - you don’t understand anything! Let's go, gentlemen!
A narrow path led between the bushes onto a steep slope; fragments of rocks formed the shaky steps of this natural staircase; clinging to the bushes, we began to climb. Grushnitsky walked in front, followed by his seconds, and then the doctor and I.
“I’m surprised at you,” said the doctor, shaking my hand firmly. - Let me feel the pulse!.. Oh-ho! feverish!.. but nothing is noticeable on your face... only your eyes shine brighter than usual.
Still from the 1928 film.
Suddenly small stones rolled noisily at our feet. What is this? Grushnitsky stumbled, the branch he clung to broke, and he would have rolled down on his back if his seconds had not supported him.
- Be careful! - I shouted to him, - don’t fall in advance; this is a bad omen. Remember Julius Caesar!
So we climbed to the top of a protruding rock: the area was covered with fine sand, as if purposely for a duel. All around, lost in the golden fog of the morning, the peaks of the mountains crowded together like a countless herd, and Elborus in the south stood up as a white mass, closing the chain of icy peaks, between which the stringy clouds that had rushed in from the east were already wandering. I walked to the edge of the platform and looked down, my head almost started spinning, it seemed dark and cold down there, like in a coffin; Mossy teeth of rocks, thrown down by thunder and time, awaited their prey.
The area where we were supposed to fight depicted almost regular triangle. They measured six steps from the prominent corner and decided that the one who would be the first to meet enemy fire would stand at the very corner, with his back to the abyss; if he is not killed, the opponents will switch places.
I decided to provide all the benefits to Grushnitsky; I wanted to experience it; a spark of generosity could awaken in his soul, and then everything would work out for the better; but pride and weakness of character should have triumphed... I wanted to give myself every right not to spare him, if fate had mercy on me. Who has not made such conditions with his conscience?
- Cast lots, doctor! - said the captain.
The doctor took a silver coin from his pocket and held it up.
- Grate! - Grushnitsky shouted hastily, like a man who has suddenly been awakened by a friendly push.
- Eagle! - I said.
The coin rose and fell jingling; everyone rushed to her.
“You’re happy,” I said to Grushnitsky, “you should shoot first!” But remember that if you don’t kill me, then I won’t miss - I give you my word of honor.
He blushed; he was ashamed to kill an unarmed man; I looked at him intently; for a minute it seemed to me that he would throw himself at my feet, begging for forgiveness; but how can he admit to such a vile intention?.. He had only one remedy left - to shoot into the air; I was sure that he would shoot into the air! One thing could prevent this: the thought that I would demand a second fight.
- It's time! - the doctor whispered to me, tugging at my sleeve, - if you don’t say now that we know their intentions, then everything is lost. Look, he's already loading... if you don't say anything, then I myself...
- No way in the world, doctor! - I answered, holding his hand, - you will ruin everything; you gave me your word not to interfere... What do you care? Maybe I want to be killed...
He looked at me in surprise.
- Oh, this is different!.. just don’t complain about me in the next world...
Meanwhile, the captain loaded his pistols, handed one to Grushnitsky, whispering something to him with a smile; another one for me.
I stood on the corner of the platform, firmly resting my left foot on the stone and leaning forward a little so that mild case the wounds do not tip back.
Grushnitsky stood against me and, at this sign, began to raise his pistol. His knees were shaking. He aimed right at my forehead...
An inexplicable rage began to boil in my chest.
Suddenly he lowered the muzzle of the pistol and, turning white as a sheet, turned to his second.
“I can’t,” he said in a dull voice.
- Coward! - answered the captain.
The shot rang out. The bullet grazed my knee. I involuntarily took a few steps forward in order to quickly move away from the edge.
Duel between Pechorin and Grushnitsky
Well, brother Grushnitsky, it’s a pity that I missed! - said the captain, - now it’s your turn, stand up! Hug me first: we won't see each other again! - They hugged; the captain could hardly restrain himself from laughing. “Don’t be afraid,” he added, looking slyly at Grushnitsky, “everything is nonsense in the world!.. Nature is a fool, fate is a turkey, and life is a penny!”
After this tragic phrase, spoken with decent importance, he retreated to his place; Ivan Ignatich also hugged Grushnitsky with tears, and now he was left alone against me. I am still trying to explain to myself what kind of feeling was seething in my chest then: it was the annoyance of offended pride, and contempt, and anger, born at the thought that this man, now with such confidence, with such calm insolence, was looking at me , two minutes ago, without exposing himself to any danger, he wanted to kill me like a dog, because if I had been wounded in the leg a little more, I would certainly have fallen off the cliff.
I looked closely at his face for several minutes, trying to notice at least the slightest trace of repentance. But it seemed to me that he was holding back a smile.
“I advise you to pray to God before you die,” I told him then.
- Don't care about my soul more than your own. I ask you one thing: shoot quickly.
- And you do not renounce your slander? don’t ask me for forgiveness?.. Think carefully: isn’t your conscience telling you something?
- Mister Pechorin! - shouted the dragoon captain, - you are not here to confess, let me tell you... Finish quickly; No matter if someone drives through the gorge, they will see us.
- Okay, doctor, come to me.
The doctor came up. Poor doctor! he was paler than Grushnitsky ten minutes ago.
I deliberately pronounced the following words with emphasis, loudly and clearly, like pronouncing a death sentence:
- Doctor, these gentlemen, probably in a hurry, forgot to put a bullet in my pistol: I ask you to load it again - and well!
- Can't be! - shouted the captain, - it can’t be! I loaded both pistols; unless a bullet rolled out of you... it's not my fault! - And you have no right to reload... no right... this is completely against the rules; I will not let...
- Fine! - I said to the captain, - if so, then we will shoot under the same conditions... He hesitated.
Grushnitsky stood with his head bowed to his chest, embarrassed and gloomy.
- Leave them! - he finally said to the captain, who wanted to snatch my pistol from the doctor’s hands... - After all, you yourself know that they are right.
It was in vain that the captain did to him different signs, - Grushnitsky didn’t even want to look.
Meanwhile, the doctor loaded the pistol and handed it to me. Seeing this, the captain spat and stamped his foot.
“You’re a fool, brother,” he said, “a vulgar fool!.. You’ve already relied on me, so obey in everything... Serves you right!” kill yourself like a fly... - He turned away and, walking away, muttered: - Still, this is completely against the rules.
- Grushnitsky! - I said, - there is still time; renounce your slander, and I will forgive you everything. You failed to fool me, and my pride is satisfied; - remember - we were once friends...
His face flushed, his eyes sparkled.
- Shoot! - he answered, “I despise myself, but I hate you.” If you don't kill me, I'll stab you at night from around the corner. There is no place for the two of us on earth...
I shot...
When the smoke cleared, Grushnitsky was not on the site. Only the ashes still curled in a light column on the edge of the cliff.
Everyone screamed in one voice.
- Finita la comedy! - I told the doctor.
He did not answer and turned away in horror.
I shrugged my shoulders and bowed to Grushnitsky’s seconds.
Going down the path, I noticed the bloody corpse of Grushnitsky between the crevices of the rocks. I involuntarily closed my eyes... Having untied the horse, I walked home. I had a stone on my heart. The sun seemed dim to me, its rays did not warm me.
Before reaching the settlement, I turned right along the gorge. The sight of a person would be painful for me: I wanted to be alone. Throwing away the reins and lowering my head to my chest, I rode for a long time, finally finding myself in a place completely unfamiliar to me; I turned my horse back and began to look for the road; The sun was already setting when I rode up to Kislovodsk, exhausted, on an exhausted horse.
My lackey told me that Werner had come in and gave me two notes: one from him, the other... from Vera.
I printed out the first one, it was as follows:
“Everything was arranged as best as possible: the body was brought in disfigured, the bullet was taken out of the chest. Everyone is sure that the cause of his death was an accident; only the commandant, who probably knew about your quarrel, shook his head, but said nothing. There is no evidence against you, and you can sleep peacefully... if you can... Goodbye..."
The text of the novel “Hero of Our Time” by M.Yu. Lermontov was used.
materials from the site.