While reading the “Bela” section of A Hero of our Time, I was intrigued by the language used to describe love as well as the impact love had on the characters in the story.  When Pechorin first sees Bella, he is “completely absorbed” (29). However, despite this strong feeling towards Bella, the way he goes about his feelings is peculiar (along with quite problematic) to the modern reader.  The blatantly transactional road to love presented in Pechorin’s deal with Bella’s brother–that Pechorin will help him acquire a horse for “Bella in return” completely undercuts Bela’s feelings, emotions, and humanity and is quite objectifying (35).  But, it is more complex in terms of what the text is saying about love. Could it be (in a twisted way, albeit) considered romantic? Or does it comment on a larger phenomenon of Russian culture? What is love in Russian culture?  Passion? Transaction? Does one marry for love or power?

However, this idea behind love grows increasingly complex and the narrative continues.  When Pechorin first tells Bella that he loves her, she comments that she feels as though she is his “slave” and “prisoner” (40).  While women being in unhappy, oppressive relationships is, unfortunately, common throughout life and literature, the fact that Lermontov emphasizes Pechorin’s love of Bela is fascinating.  That despite being loved, Bella does not reciprocate those feelings, at first at least.  

But, as seems usual in Russian literature, happiness does not reign for long.  Soon after Bela is able to love Pechorin back, she is killed, resulting in Pechorin’s later depressed, ill state the story ends with.  All of the heartbreak and tragedy experienced at the end of the story can be traced by Pechorin’s love for Bela and his desire for her to love him too.  However, that love results in death and depression–the exact opposite of love. Perhaps “Bela” can be considered a precautionary tale of the danger of love, as love in the story lead to anything but in the long run.    Is falling in love something to look towards or something to fear in Russian culture?