Grigory Pechorin

a nobleman belongs to a privileged class; an officer of the Russian army, serves in the Caucasus (at the beginning of the novel — in a fortress; then visits Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk, travels through villages); a man of means — has means of livelihood, does not depend on the service financially; secular man — educated and educated, familiar with the rules of high society, has been to St. Petersburg; "superfluous person" — formally having all the opportunities for a successful career and life, does not find use for his powers and talents in the conditions of Nikolayev Russia

Pechorin is a complex, contradictory type of "superfluous person": Positive traits: sharp, analytical mind, observation; strong will, self-control, composure in dangerous situations; honesty to oneself, the ability to introspect (diary entries); courage, determination; charm, the ability to influence people. Negative traits: selfishness, indifference to the feelings of others; boredom and frustration leading to senseless adventures; cynicism, skepticism, loss of faith in high ideals; a tendency to manipulate people for entertainment or "experiment"; inner emptiness, lack of purpose in life. Key motives of behavior: thirst for strong sensations and novelty; an attempt to understand oneself and human nature through "experiments" on others; tragic awareness of one's own destructive power: he brings misfortune to those who love him.

a young man of about 25 years old; slender and sturdy, of medium height; thin, aristocratic features; brown eyes — intelligent, penetrating, but cold; according to the narrator, "they did not laugh when he laughed"; pale skin; blond, curly hair; black mustache and eyebrows (contrast with blond hair emphasizes the unusual appearance); the gait is careless, slightly lazy, but the movements are precise and collected. Clothing: Pechorin looks after his appearance and dresses fashionably; in secular society, he wears elegant, expensive clothes that emphasize his status; while serving in the Caucasus, he wears an officer's uniform, but without ostentatious panache; sometimes elements of Caucasian costume (burka, Circassian), which helps to adapt to local conditions and customs