The main characters of the early 19th century are Onegin and Pechorin. They are the creations of great writers of their time and in some ways even reflect the fate of their creators. Lermontov and Pushkin and Onegin and Pechorin had very dramatic fates.
Writers sought to capture the appearance of time in their heroes, and in many ways the authors succeeded in this task. In fact, both Onegin and Pechorin are emblematic for their time, but at the same time, each of these heroes is timeless, since they voice issues that are characteristic of all eras.
In short, we have before us images of two educated people, in many ways the best representatives of their time. Each has received an excellent education and has a sharp mind that allows them to understand people and themselves. In addition, they are sincere seekers of truth and want to understand the meaning of not only their own era, but also their personal existence.
Given the significant similarities, it is necessary to point out the differences that define the essence of these heroes. Let's start with Onegin.
Pushkin's hero has a cynical view of the world, he is spoiled and treats people with a certain degree of arrogance. At the same time, Onegin does not have a tendency to idealize reality; for the most part, he is a pragmatist. Even Onegin goes to a duel largely not of his own free will, but because of public rumor, he does not want to look ridiculous and therefore agrees to the duel.
In fact, such a detail is decisive, since the reason for Pechorin’s duel is completely different, he goes to shoot himself because he is looking for the highest truth and follows his ideals, he wants to get even with the world and for this he uses Grushnitsky. Of course, Pechorin is also deeply selfish, but his egoism (as well as Onegin’s too) is the position of a person at the top. Yes, Pechorin looks at everyone from above, but he cannot look differently, since he has really reached certain heights of spirit and remains at a height that is simply inaccessible to many.
Onegin (continuing the theme of selfishness) also treats others arrogantly, but this hero was for the most part brought up in a society where he was praised and pleased in every possible way. Therefore, such a “golden boy” finds himself completely alone in the adult world. For the most part, the defining factor for this hero is boredom, which can only be characteristic of such Moscow aristocrats who do not experience need.
Another significant difference between the two heroes is their behavior in the world. Onegin, for the most part, agrees with the world and simply allows events to happen, just as he allows Larina to love herself and belatedly reciprocates the feeling.
Pechorin, in turn, is a more active character. He does not accept the world, but completely creates it, looking for adventure as well as trying to find the truth. A distinctive feature of Pechorin is the consistency of his philosophy with his life views and behavior.
Essay Onegin and Pechorin
Perhaps in every era there are certain ideals in popular culture by which others are equal. If we talk about the first half of the 19th century, then such ideals, of course, were Pechorin and Onegin.
These heroes are like modern celebrities that people look up to and, to some extent, want to be. Moreover, they largely reflect the biography of their creators. This is not at all difficult to verify.
For example, Pushkin in his novel introduces the figure of the author, who in turn partially resembles Pushkin himself (although he is not one), and this author is a friend of Onegin and is in many ways similar to him. In the same way, Pechorin is a young officer, a thinker. Some details from A Hero of Our Time (for example, episodes of duels) almost completely repeat episodes from Lermontov’s biography.
Thus, these people (Pushkin and Lermontov) wrote what they knew about, as if following Hemingway’s maxim “you need to write truthfully” and what you know about, they really describe practically their own biographies and worldview. Therefore, when comparing Onegin and Pechorin, we can to some extent compare Pushkin and Lermontov.
So, Pushkin is a noble man from a rather noble family who leads a secular existence. Lermontov, in turn, was an officer who, although he was going to end his military career and fully engage in creativity, remained in service until the end of his earthly journey. In the same way, Onegin is more of a person who is bored, he does a lot out of boredom and cynicism, Pechorin is also a person who is bored, but he is more consciously looking for some kind of tests and adventures, in general, he is more harsh as befits a military officer.
In many ways they are similar, since both have rather pleasant living conditions. They may, so to speak, not care about their daily bread and are more prone to mental activity. They are both a little disillusioned with this world and are looking for opportunities to somehow entertain themselves.
However, neither Onegin nor Pechorin are spoiled or mean people. For example, when Pechorin meets with Princess Mary to annoy Grushnitsky, he understands the essence of his own action and does not create illusions for himself, he simply acts as a kind of natural scientist who studies human psychology. Probably, deep psychologism and sincerity with themselves distinguishes these heroes; they feel the spirit of their time and accept it as it is.
Option 3
We are presented with two novels, by Lermontov and Pushkin. In Lermontov's work "Hero of Our Time" the main character is Pechorin, and in A.S. Pushkin's novel "Eugene Onegin" the main character is Onegin. Two completely different works, two completely different times, but so many similarities between the characters. There are also differences, because time has left its mark on the behavior and character of each person. The authors conveyed through these two characters all the power of those generations.
Pechorin is a nobleman. His social status allows him to abandon labor efforts and live for his own pleasure. But despite this, he serves in the Caucasus. Pechorin has many positive qualities. He is smart and has extraordinary willpower. Onegin the aristocrat. This allows him to live for his own pleasure, like Pechorin, and not think about anything. Both characters were well-read and educated, which in turn also placed them above other people. But unfortunately, with such a list of advantages, not one of the heroes managed to realize themselves in life.
The youth of the two characters proceeded approximately the same way; both led a riotous lifestyle and relaxed, without knowing any worries. Pechorin, talking about himself, says that at the first meeting with a girl he could tell whether she would love him or not. But, unfortunately, he only brought misfortune to women. Onegin in this area is not very different from Pechorin and does not set an example of a gentleman. At one time, Onegin rejects Tatiana and breaks her heart. Tatiana suffers from unrequited love, but over time he finds the strength to overcome this feeling.
Both Evgeny Onegin and Grigory Pechorin are not very friendly, this is clearly visible in their works. Evgeny says that he is friends with Lensky only out of boredom and just like that, and Pechorin demonstrates an indifferent attitude towards his comrade Maxim Maksimych.
Still, there are differences between them. Onegin is an egoist. This can be explained by remembering Evgeniy’s childhood. His father did not work with him; Onegin was always surrounded by tutors who only praised him. This is what gave rise to the egoistic view. Unlike Pechorin, Evgeniy never served; this feature distinguishes him from his contemporaries.
Pechorin is a suffering egoist. He realizes that I am losing a generation, it is insignificant. He considers himself among the pitiful descendants who lack pride and convictions. He does not believe in love, in deeds and in friendship. This deprives him of all the charm of life. Unlike Onegin, Pechorin is not just smart, he is a thinker and philosopher.
Both heroes go to a duel, but with different goals. Onegin is influenced by public opinion, and Pechorin wants to take revenge on society.
Pechorin goes to meet life and accepts all its trials, while Onegin simply goes with the flow. After comparison, you can be convinced that these are two very different personalities similar to each other.
Comparative characteristics of Onegin and Pechorin
Onegin is one year older than Pechorin. Both look great and follow fashion, especially Onegin. When he turns into the light, you need to create the impression of a fashionista. An interesting feature is that both have cold, like dead, expressionless eyes. But it is by them that one can judge a person’s state of mind.
Both Onegin and Pechorin were born in St. Petersburg, nobles. They grew up in luxury and knew no need. But they quickly got bored with it. Their strange behavior is striking. But, despite this, society considers them sweet, charming young people.
Both have a sober, calculating mind. Pechorin is even somewhat cynical. But at the same time, they are windy rakes. There is no need to think about your daily bread. You don't need to earn a living either. What else should they do if not seduce women? Onegin is a hypocritical person who could make a lady believe what he needed. In a word, both are good manipulators.
But both of them quickly got tired of the women. They did not intend to have wives or children. They haven't had their fun yet. Onegin considers marriage to be torture. He openly admits that when passion and love pass, he will stop loving the woman. He doesn't hide it. You just need to listen to him carefully.
Pechorin is disgusted by the very thought of marriage. As soon as a woman hints at marriage, his love immediately evaporates. In short, at their age they feel like old men who are tired of both women and secular society. And they are not interested in science, they are bored, they constantly yawn demonstratively.
They lost interest in life and became disillusioned with friendship. Both Onegin and Lensky are complete egoists. And what do women find in them that make them hang themselves around their necks? Pechorin and Onegin are similar in their actions. Pechorin refuses Princess Mary in the same way as Onegin refuses Tatiana.
Pechorin's meeting with Vera in the Caucasus is similar in meaning to the second meeting of Onegin and Tatyana. Only Tatyana turned out to be smarter than Vera. She did not succumb to the charms and sweet nightingale trills of Onegin.
Unlike Pechorin, Onegin does not go to work. Pechorin serves in the Caucasus. Onegin is languid and gloomy. And Pechorin makes everyone happy. Onegin does not like nature; he is frankly bored in the village. And the views of lovely village landscapes lull him to sleep. Pechorin contemplates the beauty of the Caucasus, this distracts him from his problems.
To relieve boredom, Onegin can play billiards all day. And Pechorin goes boar hunting alone. He can walk all day and not get tired. And the rain doesn't bother him. Onegin is trying to read Adam Smith's book on economics. And Pechorin novels by Walter Scott.
But both of them never found a place in life. They are "extra" people. They are alone among other people.
One of the interesting genres of literature for children is the classic Russian folk tale. These tales contain witchcraft, magical transformations, miracles, and adventures.
One of the most famous portraits painted by the painter is the painting Horsewoman
The painting by the Russian painter Shcherbakov “Rus near Moscow” is one of his most famous works. It is simple and at the same time accurately reflects the spirit of its people.
Belinsky said about Pechorin: “This is the Onegin of our time, the hero of our time.
Their dissimilarity is much less than the distance between Onega and Pechora.”
Herzen called Pechorin “Onegin’s younger brother.”
The similarities of the heroes.
Representatives of secular society.
What is common in the life story of the heroes is: first the pursuit of secular pleasures, then disappointment in them and this way of life.
Then an attempt to find an application for one’s spiritual powers in some activities: reading books, housekeeping, but disappointment in this too.
The heroes are overcome by boredom (spleen).
They are critical not only of the people around them, but also mercilessly judge themselves and their actions.
How does Pechorin differ from Onegin?
Pechorin is a man of the 30s (reaction time). A gifted, extraordinary personality, which manifests itself in intelligence, strong passions, and will. His character and behavior are distinguished by inconsistency: in him rationality struggles with the demands of the senses of the mind and heart. Capable of deep love (attitude towards Faith). A typical hero of his time.
In Russian literature of the 19th century, the images of Eugene Onegin and Pechorin became symbols of the era. They combined the typical features of representatives of the noble class with outstanding personal qualities, deep intelligence and strength of character, which, alas, were not used in conditions of a deep moral crisis, which became the main sign of the times in the 30s and 40s. Misunderstood in their circle, superfluous, they wasted their strength in vain, unable to overcome the moral deafness of their contemporaries and the pettiness of public opinion, which was considered the main measure of human values in high society. Despite all their similarities, Onegin and Pechorin are endowed with bright individual traits, thanks to which modern readers also show interest in these literary heroes.
Pechorin- the main character of the novel by M. Yu. Lermontov “Hero of Our Time”, a Russian nobleman, an officer who, due to his duty, found himself in the war zone in the Caucasus. The extraordinary personality of this literary hero caused heated controversy among critics and the ardent interest of contemporary readers.
Onegin- the main character of the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin”, written by A. S. Pushkin. Onegin belongs to the noble aristocracy. His biography, according to V. G. Belinsky, became an encyclopedia of Russian life in the first half of the 19th century.
What is the difference between Pechorin and Onegin?
Comparison of Pechorin and Onegin
The first chapters of “Eugene Onegin” were published by A. S. Pushkin in 1825. Readers met Pechorin in 1840. The slight difference in the time of creation of these literary images was nevertheless of fundamental importance for the revelation of their personal qualities, which contemporaries perceived as a reflection of deep social processes.
At the beginning of the novel, Onegin is a social dandy. He is rich, educated and constantly under the close attention of high society. Tired of idleness, Evgeniy makes an attempt to get down to serious business: reforming the economy he inherited. The novelty of village life turned into boredom for him: the lack of the habit of working gave rise to melancholy, and all the endeavors of the learned economist came to naught.
Both characters are representatives of the capital's aristocracy. The heroes received an excellent education and upbringing. Their intelligence level is higher than the average level of the people around them. The characters are separated by ten years, but each of them is a representative of their era. Onegin's life takes place in the twenties, the action of Lermontov's novel takes place in the 30s of the 19th century. The first is influenced by freedom-loving ideas in the context of the flourishing of an advanced social movement. Pechorin lives in a period of brutal political reactions to the activities of the Decembrists. And if the first one could still join the rebels and find a goal, thus giving meaning to his own existence, then the second hero no longer had such an opportunity. This already speaks of the greater tragedy of Lermontov’s character.
Onegin's drama lies in the uselessness of his own powers and the emptiness of his lifestyle, which was imposed by public opinion and accepted by the hero as a standard, beyond which he never dared to step. The duel with Lensky, the difficult relationship with Tatyana Larina are a consequence of deep moral dependence on the opinions of the world, which played a primary role in Onegin’s fate.
Pechorin, unlike Onegin, is not so rich and noble. He serves in the Caucasus, a place of dangerous military operations, showing miracles of courage, demonstrating endurance and strength of character. But his main feature, repeatedly emphasized in the novel, is the dual contradiction of spiritual nobility and selfishness, bordering on cruelty.
The reader learns about Onegin’s personality from the narrator’s remarks and Tatyana Larina’s observations. The narrator and Maxim Maksimych express judgments about Pechorin. But his entire inner world is revealed in his diary - the bitter confession of a man who failed to find his place in life.
Pechorin's diary entries are the philosophy of the Byronic hero. His duel with Grushnitsky is a kind of revenge on secular society for its heartlessness and passion for intrigue.
In his confrontation with the light, Pechorin, like Onegin, suffers defeat. Strength without application, life without purpose, inability to love and friendship, secular tinsel instead of serving a high goal - these motives in “Eugene Onegin” and “A Hero of Our Time” have a common sound.
Pechorin became a hero of his time: the second half of the 30s of the 19th century, marked by a deep social crisis after the events associated with the Decembrist movement in Russia.
Both characters are very critical of people and life. Realizing the emptiness and monotony of their existence, they show dissatisfaction with themselves. They are oppressed by the surrounding situation and people mired in slander, malice, and envy. Disillusioned with society, the heroes fall into melancholy and begin to get bored. Onegin tries to start writing to satisfy his spiritual needs. But he quickly gets tired of "hard work." Reading also fascinates him for a short time. Pechorin also quickly gets tired of any business he starts. However, once in the Caucasus, Grigory still hopes that there will be no room for boredom under the bullets. But he also gets used to military action very quickly. Lermontov's character also became bored with his love adventures. This can be seen in Pechorin's attitude towards Mary and Bela. Having achieved love, Gregory quickly loses interest in the ladies.
A comparative description of Onegin and Pechorin would be incomplete without mentioning the self-criticism of the heroes. The first is tormented by remorse after the duel with Lensky. Onegin is unable to stay in the places where the tragedy occurred, he gives up everything and begins to wander around the world. The hero of Lermontov's novel admits that he has caused quite a lot of grief to people throughout his life. But, despite this understanding, Pechorin is not going to change himself and his behavior. And Gregory’s self-criticism does not bring relief to anyone - neither himself nor those around him. This attitude towards life, himself, and people portrays him as a “moral cripple.” Despite the differences between Pechorin and Onegin, both of them have many common features. Each of them has a particularly pronounced ability to understand people well. Both heroes are good psychologists. So, Onegin singled out Tatyana immediately, at the first meeting. Of all the representatives of the local nobility, Eugene became friends only with Lensky. Lermontov's hero also correctly judges the people who meet him on the way. Pechorin gives quite accurate and accurate characteristics to those around him. In addition, Gregory has an excellent knowledge of female psychology, can easily predict the actions of the ladies and, taking advantage of this, wins their love. A comparative description of Onegin and Pechorin allows us to see the true state of the characters’ inner worlds. In particular, despite all the misfortunes that each of them caused to people, both of them are capable of bright feelings.
Love in the lives of heroes
Realizing his love for Tatyana, Onegin is ready to do anything just to see her. Lermontov's hero immediately rushes after the departed Vera. Pechorin, not having caught up with his beloved, falls in the middle of the path and cries like a child. Pushkin's hero is noble. Onegin is honest with Tatyana and does not think of taking advantage of her inexperience. In this, Lermontov's hero is the direct opposite. Pechorin appears as an immoral person, a man for whom the people around him are just toys.
Pechorin and Onegin belong to that social type of the twenties of the nineteenth century, who were called “superfluous” people. “Suffering egoists”, “clever uselessness” - this is how Belinsky figuratively and accurately defined the essence of this type.
So, how are the characters in Pushkin’s and Lermontov’s works similar and different?
First of all, the heroes of both novels appear before us as historically and socially determined human characters. The social and political life of Russia in the twenties of the nineteenth century - the strengthening of political reaction, the decline of the spiritual forces of the younger generation - gave birth to a special type of incomprehensible young man of that time.
Onegin and Pechorin are united by their origin, upbringing and education: both of them come from wealthy noble families. At the same time, both heroes do not accept many of the secular conventions and have a negative attitude towards external secular splendor, lies, and hypocrisy. This is evidenced, for example, by Pechorin’s extended monologue about his “colorless” youth, which “passed in a struggle with himself and the world.” As a result of this struggle, he “became a moral cripple,” quickly becoming fed up with “all the pleasures that can be obtained for money.” The same definition is quite applicable to Pushkin’s hero: “a child of fun and luxury,” he quickly got tired of the bustle of society, and “the Russian melancholy took possession of him little by little.”
The heroes are also united by spiritual loneliness among the secular “motley crowd.” “... My soul is spoiled by light, my imagination is restless, my heart is insatiable,” Pechorin bitterly notes in a conversation with Maxim Maksimych. The same is said about Onegin: “... the feelings in him cooled down early; he was tired of the noise of the world.”
This is where the idea of escapism arises in both works - the desire of both heroes for solitude, their attempt to distance themselves from society and worldly vanity. This is expressed both in a literal departure from civilization and in an escape from society into the world of internal experiences, “throwing off the burden of the conditions of light.” Onegin and Pechorin are also united by the common motif of “wandering without a goal,” “wanderlust” (Pechorin’s wanderings in the Caucasus, Onegin’s fruitless travels after the duel with Lensky).
Spiritual freedom, which is understood by the characters as independence from people and circumstances, is the main value in the worldview of both characters. So, for example, Pechorin explains his lack of friends by the fact that friendship always leads to the loss of personal freedom: “Of two friends, one is always the slave of the other.” The similarity between Onegin and Pechorin is also manifested in their identical attitude towards love and inability for deep affection:
“We have had time to tire of the betrayals;
I’m tired of friends and friendship.”
Such a worldview determines the special significance of the heroes’ actions in the lives of other people: both of them, in Pechorin’s different expressions, play the role of “axes in the hands of fate,” causing suffering to the people whom their fate encounters. Lensky dies in a duel, Tatyana suffers; similarly, Grushnitsky dies, Bela dies, kind Maxim Maksimych is offended, the smugglers’ way of life is destroyed, Mary and Vera are unhappy.
The heroes of Pushkin and Lermontov are almost equally likely to “assume a form”, “put on a mask”.
Another similarity between these heroes is that they embody the type of intellectual character who is characterized by originality of judgment, dissatisfaction with oneself, a penchant for irony - everything that is brilliantly defined by Pushkin as a “sharp, cooled mind.” In this regard, there is a direct overlap between Pushkin’s and Lermontov’s novels.
However, there are clear differences between the characters of these characters and the means of their artistic depiction in both novels.
So what's the difference? If Pechorin is characterized by a boundless need for freedom and a constant desire to “subordinate to his will what surrounds him,” “to arouse feelings of love, devotion and fear,” then Onegin does not strive for constant self-affirmation at the expense of other people, and takes a more passive position.
Pechorin’s worldview is also distinguished by great cynicism and some disdain for people
The difference between Pechorin and Onegin
- Onegin is a literary hero who could devote his life to democratic changes in society, but due to his personal qualities he became a hostage of high society.
- Pechorin understands the worthlessness of his own existence and tries to change it: at the end of the novel he leaves Russia.
- Onegin does not seek to change anything in his destiny: all his actions are a consequence of the current circumstances.
- Pechorin is able to objectively evaluate himself and honestly admits his passions and vices.
- Onegin understands his own imperfection, but is not able to analyze his own actions and their consequences. Read more:
In life, things don't always work out the way we would like. We see this in the real world, this is what great books teach us. I liked the proposed topic because I really love A.S. Pushkin, and by reading the novel “Eugene Onegin”, you can study not only the poem, but also the history of the noble society of the 19th century.
The main characters of both works are young people. What did the young generation of that time dream of? Eugene Onegin, being a charming, handsome nobleman, received a “French” upbringing, however, the author emphasizes not strong abilities for mathematical sciences, foreign languages, but more for the “science of tender passion”, he lived the ordinary riotous life of the younger generation: he followed fashion, shone in balls, spent time in theaters in the company of rakes. But, in the end, all this “tinsel” of life bothers him, he becomes disappointed in both lives and people. In his soul there is emptiness, coldness, indifference. He is sick. And the name of this disease is “blues”.
Onegin begins to shun society, despises everyone, and is arrogant with everyone. This would have continued if not for the death of his uncle and his subsequent acquaintance with Lensky and the Larin family.
The Larins are wonderful, open, kind and simple people. Lensky is an educated man who studied in Germany, a romantic poet with high ideals and a romantic soul and capable of great love. The Larin family greeted Evgeny Onegin with parental care, as if they were a loved one. Little by little, his soul began to thaw, but overall he remained the same. But the tragedy of the work is when Tatyana Larina fell in love with Onegin, but was rejected and ridiculed by him.
Tatyana dreamed of finding a husband in Onegin, expects sublime love from him, having read French novels, immediately sees in him her dream of a romantic hero, but she was mistaken and, in the end, was forced to marry an “old man,” a rich man with a high rank. Lensky dreamed of a wedding with his beloved Olga, but dies in a stupid and senseless duel from a friend’s bullet.
Larina’s old people dream of a calm old age, of peace, of the happiness of their daughters, but reality contradicts their dreams. Eugene Onegin is forced to wander around different countries after a duel with Lensky, but life again brings a surprise: at the ball he meets a luxurious, secular lady, a trendsetter, who, among other things, is in the center of attention of the entire high society and shines with her beauty, manners, with his mind and recognizes Tatyana in her: “Is it really the same Tatyana?” He was amazed, his heart was pierced by love, he was sick with love!
Onegin dreamed of Tatyana, suffered, realized what a big mistake he had made by not appreciating her real merits: kindness, purity of soul, inner beauty. But Tatyana Larina is noble and honest, she cannot betray her husband, although she still loves Eugene Onegin. This work has been analyzed by thousands of critics from different countries, so it remains relevant today. Not only as a study of the high society of that time and the customs of Moscow, St. Petersburg, provincial Russia of those times, but also as the relationship between a man and a woman.
Thus, Onegin’s side appears here as an “extra person”, no one needs.
The same motif of the “superfluous man” is described in Lermontov’s work “Hero of Our Time,” where the inner world of the hero Pechorin, living in another generation, is similar to the world of Onegin in that he is also disappointed in life, gloomy, cynical, and strange.
Pechorin, just like Onegin, personifies an entire generation of his time, however, he includes such aspects of character as anger, envy, at the same time with generosity and kindness. The whole tragedy of Pechorin is that he cannot love, find an application for his strengths and talents, he would like to serve the Motherland, but Russia was in a state of reaction, any free thoughts were punished, and he rushed about in search of an application for himself. This unites him with Onegin, since he, too, could participate in the development of Russia, and not rush around in the bustle of life.
This is a potential hero who could bring a lot of benefit to society, but there was no need for this, and he wasted his energy on stupid, thoughtless, and also discrediting actions: a duel with Grushnitsky, his attitude towards Princess Mary and Bela. The tragedy of Pechorin, like the tragedy of Onegin, is the tragedy of many of their contemporaries, similar to them in their way of thinking and in their position in society. This is the tragedy of all progressive-minded nobles who entered life after the defeat of the Decembrists.
Comparative characteristics of Onegin and Pechorin
What a short time separates Pushkin’s Onegin and Lermontov’s Pechorin! The first quarter and forties of the 19th century. And yet these are two different eras, separated by an unforgettable event for Russian history - the uprising
Decembrists. Pushkin and Lermontov managed to create works that reflected the spirit of these eras, works that touched upon the problems of the fate of the young noble intelligentsia, who did not know how to find use for their strengths.
Herzen called Pechorin “Onegin’s younger brother,” so what do these people have in common and how do they differ?
Onegin, before becoming a “young rake,” received a traditional upbringing and an extensive, but rather superficial education. Due to the fact that in the end he could express himself “perfectly” in French, dance the mazurka easily and “bow at ease,” “the world decided that he was smart and very nice.” However, quickly fed up with the fruitless bustle of social life, Onegin begins to be burdened by it, but finds nothing in return. Realizing the futility of the existence of secular people, Onegin begins to despise them, withdraws into himself, and indulges in the “Russian blues.” Living only by himself, without taking into account the feelings and experiences of other people, Onegin commits a whole series of unworthy acts. By the time he met him, Pushkin noted in Onegin “inimitable strangeness,” “a sharp, chilled mind,” “involuntary devotion to dreams,” an internal gap and misunderstanding between him and the people around him. Despite his deep contempt for the “world,” Onegin remains dependent on public opinion, and as a result kills his friend Lensky. Selfishness leads the “rake of the ardent” to severe spiritual drama and discord with oneself.
We don’t know much about Pechorin’s past, mainly from the pages of his own diary, from his conversations with other people. We learn that Pechorin’s “soul is spoiled by light”: “From childhood, everyone read on my face signs of bad qualities that were not there; but they were anticipated - and they were born.” Now those around him often do not understand either Pechorin’s thoughts or his actions, and he (and often quite justifiably) considers himself head and shoulders above those around him. Unlike Onegin, Pechorin does not shy away from people, does not avoid contact with them, but, on the contrary, becomes an extremely subtle psychologist, capable of understanding not only other people's actions and thoughts, but also feelings. Unfortunately, communication with him most often brings people and even himself only suffering and dissatisfaction. Unlike Onegin, Pechorin is not yet tired of life, he interferes in everything, is interested in many things, but he is not capable of truly loving and making friends. And if only Tatyana suffers from Pushkin’s love for Onegin (and later from Onegin’s love), then Pechorin brings misfortune to all the women he encounters: Bela, Vera, Princess Mary, even the smugglers’ friend.
Onegin's problem is his inability to make his life interesting, bright, and fill it with significant events. Pechorin is concerned about the question of the purpose of his own life, its meaning. The consciousness of lost opportunities constantly haunts him, since his belief in his “high purpose” does not find real confirmation. Both one and the other value their freedom, liberty, but it turns out that they too often sacrifice to it what is truly dear to them.
The differences in the destinies and characters of the heroes are explained by differences in eras: the life of Russia on the eve of the December uprising (Onegin) and the severe political reaction after the defeat of the Decembrists (Pechorin). Both Onegin and Pechorin belong to the type of “superfluous people,” that is, people for whom there was neither place nor work in the society around them. And yet, even despising their surroundings, Onegin and Pechorin were children of this society, that is, heroes of their time.
