A hero of our time
Author's name: Mikhail Lermontov
This book has recently suffered the misfortune of being subjected to the kind of naive skepticism of some readers, and even of magazines that take things too literally. Some were utterly outraged that we were portrayed as a model as far removed from morality as "A Hero of Our Time." Others, with much delicacy and sensitivity, said that the author had undoubtedly painted a picture of himself and of people he knew... What an old, petty accusation! Everything is renewed in Russia except such nonsense. And how difficult it is for any story, however imaginative, to escape the accusation that it intended to insult a particular person. Dear readers, "A Hero of Our Time" is indeed a portrait, but it is not of a single man. It is a portrait that encompasses the vices of our entire generation, in their full bloom. You might say to me again: No human being could reach such a level of depravity. My answer is: Why do you believe in the existence of all the villains in tragedies and romantic novels, yet refuse to believe that someone like Pechorin could be based on reality? How can you find the most horrific and dreadful fantasies appealing, yet reject the image of this person, even if it were merely a figment of your imagination? Is it not because this image is more truthful than what you prefer? And some of you might say: Morality will gain nothing from this; so take it easy. People have been fed sweets for too long until their stomachs are rotten. Now they must take bitter medicine and taste the stinging truth. And do not imagine, however, that the author of this book ever harbored the delusional dream of appointing himself guardian of the people, reforming their corrupt morals. May God protect us from the evil of such grandiose pretensions. I simply wanted to humorously portray the human being of this era, as I understand him, and as I have encountered him far too often, due to my own misfortune and yours. It suffices for me to point out the ailment; the means of cure are known only to God.