Narcissism is a pattern of self-centered and arrogant behavior intermingled with feelings of extreme self-entitlement, inability to feel empathy towards others, and the overbearing need for admiration from their peers. Narcissism presents within people through multiple levels of severity, having a range of emotional displays. Grandiose narcissism is displayed through an unrealistic sense of superiority and the need for dominance over public attention and status. Graniodise narcissist people have an overconfident understanding of their behavior, believing their actions are justified when about  their “self-image.” Narcissistic behavior stems from a lack of confidence and self-love as narcissists rely on others’ praise to shield themselves from their emotional inadequacy. This emotional praise dependency causes narcissistic people to form relationships based on their own needs for approval rather than a genuine connection. The cycle of emotional manipulation and dependency leads to the formation and quick destruction of the relationship as the person becomes no longer useful to the narcissistic individual leading them to find someone else to supply the admiration they need. The novel “ A Hero Of Our Time” by Mikhail Lermontov examines this phenomenon of narcissistic based relationships as the main character Pechorin’s platonic and romantic are all unsuccessful because they all serve his narcissistic ego’s needs, and as such, are only useful until the individuals lose their purpose for him, after which he seeks a new challenge. In this way, Lermontov’s text illustrates the issues with narcissism and how it negatively impacts relationships. 

Pechorin’s narcissistic behavior plays a significant role in the development of his romantic relationships. Pechorin’s interest in Princess Mary was not based on his attraction but instead used to repair his bruised ego as Mary acknowledged Grushnitsky before him by merely picking up a  glass he dropped on the floor. After witnessing this act between Mary and Grushnitisky, Perochin claims, “I further confess that a nasty but familiar sensation, at that moment, skimmed over my heart. This sensation was envy… a young man (provided, of course, that he has lived in the grand monde and is accustomed to indulge his vanity), who would not be unpleasantly struck by this (Lermontov 89)”. Pechorin’s narcissistic mentality seeks any form of validation regardless of the situation, as Pechorin’s excessive vanity was tainted due to Mary’s simple act of noticing Grushinity before him. This simple act unravels Perochin’s fragile ego as the impulsive need to dominate others fuels his formulation of a plan to seduce Mary to gain a sense of control over her emotions. Perochin extreme self-centeredness causes him to pursue his own self- satisfaction as a way to reclaim his pride due to  Mary’s action no matter what the emotional consequences it has on her. 

Pechorin meticulously begins to manipulate Mary by playing physiological games as Pechorin complements her and has mentally engaging conversations while ignoring her, leaving Mary with a sense of interest in his behavior.  Pechorin fabricates a new image of his personality within Mary’s mind through these manipulation tactics. He causes Mary to become emotionally dependent by increasing her need for Perochin’s constant approval. Pechorin’s ego relies on this emotional dependency as a form of validation as Pechorin gains control of Mary’s perception of him, ultimately allowing him to gain emotional control. This emotional control grants Pechorin dominance over others and caters to his narcissistic mindset of being the center of attention. (Quote #1)Pechorin feeds on this attention, whether negative or positive, as his desire to have sole mental and physical control of those around him to cover his vulnerability and the need for affirmation regardless of the person’s well-being.  He admits his selfishness and manipulative behavior towards others stating, “ my main pleasure – which is to subjugate to my will all that surrounds me and to excite the emotions of love, devotion, and fear in relation to me – is it not the main sign and greatest triumph of power? (Lermontov 116)” . Pechorin acknowledges the emotional damage he will eventually cause Mary but willingly chooses to ignore the consequences of his narcissistic need to have the power over those he involves in order to have a constant supply of approval. This praise dependency and need for control created a continuous cycle of him using other people’s emotions as a  source of self-satisfaction, causing his life to be filled with constant emotional emptiness. 

Pechorins’s need for control and gratification displays itself in different aspects within his relationship with his former lover, Vera. In the past, Vera left Pechorin before he could fully exploit her and got married, making Perchorin consider her as a “strong-willed woman, whom I could never conquer  (Lermontov 102)”.  After reuniting, Pechorin and Vera reconnected, and Pechorin was able to emotionally control her and make Vera fall in love again to which she accepted. Pechorin even goes as far as to use Vera as a pawn within his psychological games against Mary to manipulate her further.  For instance, while Mary was performing, Pechorin deliberately went to talk to Vera to make her jealous as Pechorin claims, “ Meanwhile, my indifference was annoying to the young princess, as I could conjecture by a single angry, blazing glance … Oh, I understand wonderfully that kind of conversation, mute but expressive, brief but forcible (Lermontov 112)”.  Pechorin thrives on being the center of someone’s’ attention to provide himself with a sense of worth as Perchorin says, “To be to somebody the cause of sufferings and joys, without having any positive right to it – is this not the sweetest possible nourishment for our pride? (116)”. Vera supplied Pechorin’s ego with emotional validation and control by repeatedly admitting his control over her mind inflating his sense of self-importance. 

 However, Vera became one aspect of Pechorin he could no longer control or manipulate anymore as Vera abruptly leaves with her husband due to rumors spreading about her relationship with Pechorin.  He goes into an emotional spiral because his narcissistic personality demands total control of every aspect of his life and those around him. Pechorin claims, “Faced by the possibility of losing Vera forever, I felt that she had become dearer to me than anything in the world – dearer than life, honor, happiness (158)”. He experiences vulnerability as his dominance over the situation has ended as Vera will no longer be within his life and no longer be a part of his safety net of people who provide admiration.  Pechorin’s profoundly ingrained need for self-satisfaction causes emotional breakdown as when he loses Vera, he becomes unable to dismiss her on his terms and instead is left alone abruptly unbeknownst to him. Vera was the first woman from his past to which he could not end the relationship as he does typically by mentally breaking down the women to their core emotions and exploiting them for his physical and emotional purposes.  

Pechorin narcissistic control manifests within his platonic relationships as well as demonstrated through his connection with Grushnitisky. Pechorin openly declares he does not honestly care for Grusnitisky but instead uses his company as a sense of entertainment. While talking to Grushnitisky, Pechorin claims, “I have seen through him, and that is why he dislikes me, although outwardly we are on the friendliest of terms… I don’t like him either,  I feel that one day we shall meet on a narrow path, and one of us will fare ill. (Lermontov 85)”. Pechorin uses his “companionship” with Grusnitisky to provide his prideful ego with a confidence boost as he considers himself better than Grushnistisky in every aspect of life. Hence why Pechorin felt Mary acknowledging Grushinisky was considered a personal attack on his ego.  Pechorin begins to pursue Mary for his ego and out of vindictive feelings toward Grushnistsky as Pechorin wants to destroy Grushinisly chances of ever being with Mary. Pechorin sabotages Grushnitsky’s chances because his vulnerability to being needed by others makes himself feel whole. He has developed this delusion where his actions are justifiable as Pechorin has this narcissistic need to prove his superiority. When thinking about the reasoning behind his manipulative actions towards others, Pechorin states, “ The outcome of that nasty but unconquerable feeling which urges us to destroy the sweet delusions of a fellow man, in order to have the petty satisfaction of saying… ‘My friend, the same thing happened to me, and still, you see, I dine, I sup, I sleep in perfect peace, and hope to be able to die without cries and tears (Lermontov 116)”.  Pechorin’s narcissistic ego wants Grushnitsky to submit to ultimately provide his ego with the self-satisfaction of bettering a man who considers himself in every aspect superior. Acquiring Mary’s affections would provide validation directly to Pechorin but defeating Grushnitysky ambitions having him subconsciously admit defeat to Pechorin would serve as a more significant achievement within his narcissistic mindset. 

Nevertheless, Perochin’s selfish delusion causes their relationship to spiral as Grushnitsky damages his ego by creating rumors. Pechorin’s personality dictates that he must have dominance over any situation and control others’ emotions as Pechorin takes over the entire situation and challenges Grushnitsky to an exceptionally deadly duel. Pechorin allowed his extreme deep-rooted self-importance to carry him throughout this duel without realizing he would kill somebody over a situation he created. His narcissistic mindset justified the death of Gursiniksty as he tainted the honorable self-image to which Perochin perpetrated to others for validation.  Since Pechorin holds his self-importance in such high regard when someone else questions his narcissist’s self-view,  Pechorin tends to lash out in response as, In the duel’s final moments, Pechorin did not even consider his wrongdoings and claimed,  “There is still time: retract your slander, and I shall forgive you everything. You did not succeed in fooling me, and my self-esteem is satisfied. ( Lermontov 154)”. Instead of admitting they were both wrong and understanding his part within the emotional turmoil and despair in Grushnitsky’s life, Pechorin wanted him to admit defeat to inflate his excessive ego allowing his egotistical behavior override his better judgment.  He murders Grushinisky without considering their relationship due to a narcissistic need to be superior regardless of consequence, continuing the emptiness within his life. 

(Naysayers) Alternatively, not all of Pechorin’s relationships serve his narcissistic ego’s needs as a source of self- satisfaction through validation and emotional superiority through viewing his connection with an individual that could be considered his companion, Dr. Werner. Pechorin’s relationship with Dr.Werner can be viewed as one of the only people Pechorin has developed a genuine connection with rather than being based on his narcissistic need to dominate and control people.  Pechorin reminisces on the first time he meets Werner, commenting, “Everybody found that we were talking nonsense, but, really, not one of them said anything more intelligent than that. Henceforth, we distinguished each other in the crowd. We would often see each other and discuss, together, with great seriousness, abstract matter (Lermontov 91)”. Pechorin connects with Werner on an intellectual level, causing their relationship to more than surface level as it is with Grusnitisky, Mary, and Vera. Pechorin and Werner bond over their belief of having a higher intelligence than those around them as they are both cynical and witty. 

 Due to their similarities, Pechorin confides with Werner about his schemes as he asks for information to understand Princess Mary better and asks him to be his second for his duel with Grushnitsky. Wener forms a deeper bond with Perochin due to seeing his personality’s inner workings through how he treats others, causing them to be close to the other characters.  Pechorin says to Werner. “ We know almost all the secret thoughts of each other; one word is a whole story for us; we see the kernel of our every emotion through a triple shell (Lermontov 91)”. Pechorin and Werner’s attachment is based on their comparable personalities. They can demonstrate how Pechorin can form a deeper relationship with other people without the need for self-satisfaction and be solely based on each other’s emotional understanding. Their relationship may highlight how the other relationships’ failure may be partly the fault of those involved as they did not genuinely understand Pechorin on the same level as  Werner, causing a rift between the characters. 

While it is true that Pechorin formed a more in-depth understanding with Werner, it does not necessarily follow that Pechorin’s relationship with Dr. Werner was not based on his narcissistic ego. Narcissistic people tend to surround themselves with individuals who have a similar mindset as someone with a different mindset would criticize their actions rather than provide the approval to which narcissistic s emotionally rely on. Pechorin connects with Werner on a platonic level better than Grushnity due to this as Werner assists his plans of manipulation by providing direct assistance and information for Pechorin, while Grusnitsky stands in the way of his goals. Pechorin uses Wener’s knowledge to further his selfish plans without Wener scrutinizing his decisions, ultimately giving the silent approval he seeks. Once Pechorin completes his goals, Wener was no longer considered a companion as their relationship had lost its significance to Pechorin’s needs. While meeting Werner for the last time, Peochrin recalls, “On the threshold, he stopped. He would have liked to shake my hand, and had I displayed to him the slightest desire for it, he would have thrown himself on my neck; but I remained as cold as stone -and he left (Lermontov 159)”.  Although the bond developed between them and the amount of help Wener provided for Pechorin, he no longer considers Werner useful, explaining his cold behavior towards his departure.  

Another reason why Pechorin’s relationship with Werner could not be as an honest friendship as Pechorin’s excessively fragile mindset considers friendship to be based on exploitation rather than a real connection between people. Pechorin claims, “ One of the two friends is always the slave of the other… neither of the two admits this to himself. I can be nobody’s slave, while to assume command in such cases is tiresome work because it has to be combined with deceit (Lermontov 91)”. Pechorin views friendships as taking advantage of one other emotion showing how deeply seated his narcissism is as he believes a friendship will be one-sided. Pechorin had no desire to continue or develop a genuine friendship with Werner as he could not allow someone to control his emotions as his narcissistic mentality requires him to control those around him. 

(Conclusion)Lermontov uses Pechorin’s narcissistic and egotistical behavior to demonstrate to readers the emotional and physical damage to which narcissism can cause others’ lives and one’s own life. Pechorin continuous usage of people causes his constant state of emotional emptiness as his reliance on others as sources of validation through mental manipulation, always causing the eventual downfall of the relationship, whether plantation or romantic. This essay highlights the specific behavior to which narcissistic people may emulate while forming relationships as narcissistic people tend to form relationships based on their personal needs rather than forming real connections causing the relationship to be emotionally draining, leading to its eventual demise. 

Work Cited Page 

Lermontov, Mikhail. A Hero Of Our Time. ALFRED A. INC, 1840.