EN
In his prosaic texts, Lermontov often makes his characters spy on what is unconsciously said or done by others. This ordinary and naive device, ingeniously adopted by Lermontov, helps him to render more vivid and relevant the psychological background for the action. Sometimes critics and common readers are not able to appreciate the profundity and precision of the descriptions given by him to his heroes. One of the gravest misinterpretations of this kind (generally accepted!) is too superficial and inadequate approach to the life and ideas of Grigori Petchorin, the central figure of Lermontov's prosaic works.