Throughout the novel “A Hero of Our Time” by Mikhail Lermontov, the story consistently demonstrates narcissism and how the main character of the story, Pechorin’s own narcissism becomes the cause of all events that occur. As we know, Pechorin makes it his mission to pursue Princess Mary, but at what cost and with what intentions? It is known that in narcissistic love, the only purpose their significant other’s love serves is to boost the narcissist’s ego. Pechorin seeks for the validation and attention of Princess Mary’s, only to fuel his ego and how highly he thinks of himself, all while sabotaging the potential he has in finding happiness and hurting others as well.
Pechorin’s ego plays a major part in his narcissistic behavior, since it is what encouraged him into wanting to have Princess Mary fall for him. You can date all the way to the beginning of the chapter how from the moment he saw her, he expected that she would notice and admire him, and when his expectations were not met, he only saw it as a challenge. Pechorin often played mind games with Mary to manipulate her into becoming interested in him, since she did not pay any mind to him at all. There are several examples of Pechorin manipulating Princess Mary and many places in the text that mention Pechorin plays with Mary’s feelings solely for his own entertainment. He admits here that he felt “a boundless delight in the possession of a young, barely unfolded soul…” and compares Princess Mary to a flower and that she “should be plucked that very minute and after inhaling one’s fill of it, one should throw it away on the road…” (p. 116). This quote itself goes to show that his fueled ego and narcissism influence him to think this way of others and not care about their emotions. When he saw the results he wanted, he would only continue to manipulate others.
Another example of his ego becoming a result to him acting out on his narcissism and manipulating people is not only from the control he has gained on Mary, but from the control he has on Grushnitsky too. Throughout the story, as Princess Mary shows more interest in Pechorin, Grushnitsky grows more with envy and jealousy towards Pechorin. Grushnitsky’s reaction satisfies Pechorin because it shows the effect he can easily have on people, only making him feel more superior. There are several examples of Grushnitsky growing more and more angry with Pechorin. One of the major examples is when Pechorin begins to plot against Pechorin for his own downfall. Pechorin makes and observation and thinks “Many are ill-disposed toward me since the last ball, especially the Captain of Dragoons, and now, it seems, an inimical gang is actually being organized against me, under the leadership of Grushnitsky” (p. 126). From here it became obvious that Grushnitsky began to plan Pechorin’s downfall and have people go against him. However, like I previously said, this only amused Pechorin since his narcissism plays a part in his self-assurance and cockiness. I response, he says “I am very glad; I love my enemies, although not in a Christian sense: they amuse me, they quicken my pulses” (p. 126).
To further explain, while both Mary and Pechorin entertained him and increased his narcissistic supply in his narcissism, it only fueled the ego that was already there. He thought of himself superior and expressed how he saw those he manipulated as inferior, even before playing mind games with them. It is revealed in the story that Pechorin and Grushnitsky were never friends and more so like frenemies. They were friendly with each other, yet still against each other like they were competing. Pechorin has always thought lowly of Grushnitsky, with his age and rank playing a part. In the text he gives a detailed description of him and in a part of his many thoughts he mentions “Grushnitsky has the reputation of an exceptionally brave man. I have seen him in action: he brandishes his sword, he yells, he rushes forward with closed eyes. Somehow, this is not Russian courage!” (p. 85). He views Grushnitsky as a fraud and this, he looks down on. With Princess Mary is a similar thing. She is young and naïve and “the young princess looks at them [men] with a certain contempt” (p. 94), hinting that she is inexperienced with love and romance. He takes advantage of this and uses it for his own benefit.
What’s equally important to mention is the kind of narcissist Pechorin is and how the kind of person he is reflects on something deeper within his earlier years. As you observe Pechorin’s thoughts and actions, you can infer that he is a vulnerable narcissist. While trying to woo Princess Mary, one of the ways he does so is by opening up to her on a personal level. He explains to her why he may act cold towards her and come off as mysterious. He admits here and says “…I became secretive. I felt deeply good and evil – nobody caressed me, everybody offended me: I became rancorous. I was gloomy – other children were merry and talkative. I felt myself superior to them – but was considered inferior” (p. 119). This quote perfectly demonstrates how he became a vulnerable narcissist: becoming secretive and then still being quiet in his adulthood in addition to him viewing himself as above others. It was noticed by many from the way he carried himself.
A more critical thing to mention is that his narcissism had a long-term effect in his life by the way he leads his own life. Several things he has done was unethical, especially in Russian society in the 19th century. Having been in an affair between two women and dueling over a woman was the icing on the cake. He was a what you would consider a player and a womanizer. He let his narcissism have control over his own life leading to his own destruction.
Some former readers of this novel might disagree that Pechorin has led himself to his own fall in the way he did but on the contrary of what they say, Pechorin chooses this path of wickedness, aware that he could lead a better life instead of always having to prove to himself and others that he can get what he pleases. As previously said, Pechorin orchestrates the act of hurting people close to him (such as Vera and her marriage, Princess Mary and Grushnitsky) for his own pleasure. However, he often questions his own actions, knowing he could do things differently, in a more morally correct way. Here, he thinks to himself “I sometimes despise myself. . . Is this not why I despise others? . . . I have become incapable of noble impulses… I am afraid of appearing laughable to myself. Another man in my place would offer the young princess son caeur et sa fortune…” (p. 137). In this quote he wonders why it is so difficult for him to commit any good deeds, that if he does, he could make a fool out of himself which could bruise his ego. He also mentions Princess Mary does not deserve to get the treatment he is gives her. This, he dislikes himself for. Apart of him wants to be a good person instead of acting upon his narcissism. Knowing he can change himself and still develop good relationships with people, he continues to sabotage his own potential future with either Princess Mary or Vera and develops more people against him. An example of this is at the end of the chapter, when Pechorin leaves the resort empty handed and alone, having nothing change from the beginning. He then reflects on his stay at the resort, “And now here, in this dull fort, I often scan the past in thought, and wonder why I had not wanted to tread that path, which fate had opened for me, where quiet joys and peace of mind awaited me? No, I would not have got used to such an existence!” (p. 162). Pechorin again wonders why he does not let himself choose the path of living happily without tormenting himself and others. At the end, he is alone, awaiting the next phase in his journey. He describes himself as “… 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, no matter how the shady grove lures him, no matter how the peaceful sun shines on him” (p.162). This proves that in the end, Pechorin will always choose to play the villain in his own story. He plays villain in other people’s lives just for him to eventually face the consequences for his bad deeds. He claims to easily get bored and that is why he would rather interfere in other people’s lives.
Some readers may think otherwise and say that Pechorin is not causing damage to his own life. But there are many examples of Pechorin doing so throughout the story. It is obvious that he does so because of his narcissistic tendencies and conflicts with himself, unsure of what he truly desires. Pechorin’s actions and how he not only tears down others but himself too, bring attention to how narcissism can contribute greatly to one’s life.
