Dr. Werner is a minor character in the novel by M.Yu. Lermontov "A Hero of Our Time". The article provides information about the character from the work, quotation characteristic.
Full name
Not mentioned. The non-Russian surname of the doctor is emphasized:
This morning the doctor came to see me; his name is Werner, but he is Russian. What's so amazing? I knew one Ivanov, who was a German.
Age
It is not known exactly, but probably from 20 to 25.
Attitude towards Pechorin
Friendly at first. and Dr. Werner agreed on the characters:
We soon understood each other and became friends.
The doctor agreed to be my second
After the duel, condemning.
There is no evidence against you, and you can sleep peacefully ... if you can ... Goodbye ... "
The doctor went up: his forehead was furrowed; and he, contrary to his custom, did not extend his hand to me.
Appearance of Dr. Werner
His appearance was one of those that strike unpleasantly at first sight, but which one likes later, when the eye learns to read in irregular features the imprint of a tried and lofty soul. There were examples that women fell in love with such people to the point of madness and would not exchange their ugliness for beauty.
Werner was short and thin and weak; one leg was shorter than the other, like Byron's; in comparison with his body, his head seemed huge: he cut his hair with a comb, showing strong irregularities of the skull. Black eyes, always restless, tried to penetrate your thoughts. ; his lean, sinewy, and small hands showed off in pale yellow gloves. His coat, tie and waistcoat were always black.
He sat down in an armchair, put his cane in the corner
He was wearing gray breeches, an archaluk and a Circassian hat. I burst out laughing when I saw this little figure under a huge shaggy hat: his face was not at all warlike, but this time it was even longer than usual.
Taste and neatness were noticeable in his clothes.
social status
Doctor with a bad reputation
He is a skeptic and a materialist, like almost all doctors, and at the same time a poet, and in earnest - a poet in deed, always and often in words, although he did not write two poems in his life.
his rivals, envious water doctors, spread the rumor that he was drawing caricatures of his patients - the patients became furious, almost everyone refused him.
The princess is being treated for rheumatism, and the daughter, God knows what; I told them both to drink two glasses a day of sour water and bathe twice a week in a adjustable bath (oh and her mother)
Have you been to Moscow, doctor? – Yes, I had some practice there.
He was poor
Further fate
Most likely continued to live as before. Nothing else is said in the novel.
Personality of Dr. Werner
Werner, like him, is an extraordinary person. Which brought him closer to the main character.
Werner is a wonderful person for many reasons.
He is a skeptic and a materialist, like almost all doctors
the conversation took a philosophical and metaphysical direction towards the end of the evening; talked about beliefs: each was convinced of different differences
We often got together and talked together about abstract subjects very seriously, until both of us noticed that we were mutually fooling each other.
The youth nicknamed him Mephistopheles; he showed that he was angry at this nickname, but in fact it flattered his pride
He is talented, smart and accurate, but not recognized by others.
smart people like you love listeners better than tellers (about Werner)
Look, there are two of us smart people; we know in advance that everything can be argued ad infinitum, and therefore we do not argue
Taste and neatness were noticeable in his clothes.
I once saw him cry over a dying soldier
I have a presentiment,” said the doctor, “that poor Grushnitsky will be your victim.”
He had an evil tongue: under the sign of his epigram, more than one good-natured man was known as a vulgar fool
a poet, and in earnest - a poet in deed always and often in words, although in his life he has not written two verses
Dr. Werner is a minor character who serves as a kind of reflection of Pechorin himself. The characters are very similar internally, but completely dissimilar externally. Dr. Werner "A Hero of Our Time" is a representative of the same type of people as main character novel: inactive, bored, looking for meaning life, but in pursuit of illusions.
Description of Werner's appearance
Dr. Werner is not handsome, rather, on the contrary: “Werner was small, and thin, and weak as a child; one leg was shorter than the other, like Byron's; in comparison with the body, his head seemed huge: he cut his hair with a comb ... ”. He limps in one leg, does not have a strong physique, his face is also unattractive. The only outward merit is the doctor's habit of dressing beautifully, tastefully, neatly: “His small black eyes, always restless, tried to penetrate your thoughts.
Taste and neatness were noticeable in his clothes; his lean, sinewy, and small hands showed off in pale yellow gloves. His coat, tie and waistcoat were always black.”
A sharp mind, charm, manners and inner depth of nature are what attract women to a young man. They feel the subtle nature of a person, which the doctor carefully hides behind sarcasm, indifference, feigned nihilism. Werner loves women, he is an expert and connoisseur in this area. The author describes the nature of this character in a very interesting way: “a poet, and in earnest, is a poet in deed always and often in words, although he has not written two poems in his life ...”. He is a man of high nature, a subtle romantic, a passionate connoisseur of beauty, but all these qualities are hidden behind a mask that is more in line with time and society.
Werner and Pechorin
A former military doctor, Werner treats wealthy aristocrats who have a rest "on the waters". He quickly got along with Pechorin, feeling the kinship of natures, and also quickly realized that true friendship between them was impossible. Pechorin's invitation to Werner to play the role of a second, the disclosure of Grushnitsky's conspiracy against Grigory - all this suggests that the main character can only trust the doctor. During his life, he did not make real friends, he only knows how to take something from any relationship.
People like Pechorin do not know how to create, give, donate. Grigory uses his comrade Werner as a second, as he is very convenient in this situation: honest, truthful, respected, smart, knows how to be silent. In addition, he is well aware that if Grushnitsky dies, Werner will accept this outcome indifferently - he has seen thousands of deaths, one more will not excite his mind. The duel really remained a secret.
The true face of Werner
The events that took place during the duel indicate that Dr. Werner is cowardly and weak-willed, or simply cowardly and vile. The author does not give an unambiguous assessment of what happened. In any case: Werner is not distinguished by high moral principles, he is not capable of actions. A kind of waiting genius: he could become a great man, but he is too prone to laziness, inactivity and dreams. Such a man of genius spends his days vainly but uselessly. The knowledge that Werner possesses could save many lives, but he does not have the willpower and character that could change his nature. In addition, Dr. Werner is caustic and sharp-tongued, he taunts his patients, this mask of irony has become familiar to him. Werner lacks the spirit to be himself, he is subject to public opinion.
Pechorin and Werner. Friends or pals?
The protagonist of Lermontov's novel is a man disappointed in life, he does not hope for sincere love, the thought of true and pure friendship also seems unrealistic to him. "Of two friends, one is always the slave of the other." He cannot be a slave, but to command is "tedious work." Pechorin becomes close to only one person in the novel - Dr. Werner. But even this short friendship fails.
What are the similarities and differences between Pechorin and Werner?
Like Pechorin himself, everything in Werner was unusual, starting even with his appearance. The appearance of the doctor at first sight "struck unpleasantly": Werner was small, thin and weak, in addition, one of his legs was shorter than the other, like Byron's.
At the first meeting, both heroes distinguished each other among the large and noisy society of young people. Pechorin liked the wit and difficult character of Werner, later in his journal he would make the following entry: “Werner is a wonderful person for many reasons. He is a skeptic and a materialist, like almost all doctors, and at the same time a poet, and in earnest - a poet in deed, always and often in words, although he has not written two poems in his life.
Both characters behave independently. They are ironic both to others and to themselves. Independence causes irritation in secular society. Therefore, the doctor, like Pechorin, had many ill-wishers and envious people. But, despite external independence and pride, both Pechorin and Werner hide their inner life full of drama. Pechorin knew and observed more than once what feelings were hidden under the mask of a strict skeptic, he wrote in his journal: “Usually, Werner surreptitiously mocked his patients; but I once saw him weep over a dying soldier.”
Pechorin, despaired of life and chose, in his own words, the path of hatred and evil. Werner honestly worked as a doctor, but he also acutely felt the injustice and imperfection of the world around him.
How are these characters different from each other?
According to Maxim Maksimych, Pechorin was the kind of person who was born in order for something to happen to him. Indeed, the main character more than once got into adventurous stories. During this time, he gathered a wealth of experience and knowledge, which he willingly applied in life, in dealing with people. And Werner, in whom one could easily discern “the imprint of a tried and high soul,” remained aloof. Pechorin creates adventures for himself, actively interfering in the fate and lives of those around him, often bringing people pain and suffering. Werner, dreaming of escaping poverty, would not have taken an extra step for money. He also experiments on people, but unlike Pechorin, he is passive, trying to avoid collisions with them. Pechorin, even in a conversation, goes to the end, infuriating the interlocutor. For him, happiness is “saturated pride.”
Werner blindly follows the lead of Pechorin, a stronger man, in the story of the duel, although this business is unpleasant for him, and he is afraid for his reputation. Tormented by moral doubts before the duel, Dr. Werner quickly calms down from Pechorin's simple joke about meaninglessness and emptiness. human life. But when the deed is already done - Grushnitsky is killed, and a serious wound is inflicted on Princess Mary's feelings, Werner begins to realize the full depth of Pechorin's selfishness, he reproaches his friend for cold prudence, sending him a note: "There is no evidence against you, and you can sleep peacefully, if you can". But Werner himself showed in this situation no less indifference and cruelty than the main character, being an accomplice in the duel and all the intrigues.
Therefore, Pechorin does not experience disappointment in this person after parting. He is arrogantly calm, he assumed the following outcome of their relationship: “Here are the people! All of them are like this: they know in advance all the bad sides of an act, they help, advise, even approve of it ... - and then they wash their hands and turn away indignantly from the one who had the courage to take bear the full burden of responsibility."
Pechorin and Werner cannot be called friends. The friendly relations of these people broke up, without turning into friendship, broke up from the very first serious life test. After all, friendship only develops into something more when people find in each other not only an opportunity for entertainment, a way to disperse boredom, dispel loneliness. True friendship is a disinterested interest in the fate of a person close to you, it is self-sacrifice. Neither Pechorin nor Werner are capable of such deep feelings. Their destiny is loneliness, a joyless and meaningless living of life.
The image of Werner contributes to a more complete disclosure of the inner appearance of the protagonist. Next to the smart Werner, Pechorin is just as lonely as with other characters in the novel.
The protagonist of the work, Grigory Pechorin, while on vacation in the Caucasus, meets Dr. Werner on the waters, who is minor character novel.
Men are very different from each other not only in appearance, but also in character traits, but they have a large number of similar qualities among themselves.
Pechorin and Werner are people of the same origin, revolving in the same circle and being connoisseurs secular society who love to philosophize and talk on abstract topics.
Both received an excellent education, have logical thinking, observation, a sharp mind and an evil tongue.
The characteristic features of the heroes are an independent disposition, pride, based on their own principles, personal opinion, sometimes expressed in skeptical and cynical views. At the same time, men have insight and the ability to subtle psychology, studying the secrets human soul.
The doctor and Gregory are endowed with exquisite taste, they are genuinely attracted to women, but they never entered into marriage. To each other, the characters feel mutual trust and interest.
However, despite the similarities between men, there are fundamental differences between them.
By age and position, Pechorin is a young rich man, while the doctor is much older than Grigory and belongs to the circle of impoverished intellectuals. Outwardly, Pechorin is very attractive, and Werner cannot boast of a beautiful appearance.
Werner, being a doctor by profession, by virtue of his activities, strives to save the patient's life, and Pechorin, being a military officer, aims to take the life of others, even from the enemy.
Having psychological knowledge, the doctor never puts them into practice, while Pechorin constantly and with great activity uses this talent to satisfy his ambitions and whims.
Dr. Werner is laconic, not subject to the desire to pour out emotional experiences to anyone, Grigory, on the contrary, feels the need to reveal his secrets and thoughts and chooses Werner as a vest in which to cry
Werner loves the female sex with a fierce passion, comparing women to a magical forest, he is capable of long romances, deep love and compassion. Pechorin, on the other hand, treats women consumeristically, believing that it is unacceptable to become a slave to his beloved girl, he tries to bypass women who have a strong will and a strong character.
Composition by Pechorin and Dr. Werner
In the chapter “Princess Mary”, Pechorin meets the doctor and their communication allows Lermontov to reveal the character traits of his hero.
The protagonist of the work and Werner are people of the same social stratum, but who have chosen different occupations. They became friends with the desire inherent in both to destroy their lives. Pechorin was exiled to the Caucasus for misconduct. Werner lost his practice due to bullying and ridicule of patients.
The chapter pays great attention to Pechorin's relationship with the princess and his view of women. The officer looks at them like they are toys.
Werner is introduced into the novel to demonstrate another more noble type of behavior. He is ready to sacrifice a lot for the sake of love, seeks to conquer the fair sex. Easy victories are enough for Pechorin, and not so much for possessing a woman, but for the sake of "winning on points." He falls in love with Princess Mary simply out of sporting interest, not even considering it necessary to explain himself after her declaration of love for him.
The attitude towards friendship between Pechorin and Werner is also different. " Extra person"It is not particularly needed, as it burdens, imposing obligations. In addition, the events described in the work take place in the nineteenth century, a time more filled with romance and stormy, flaunted expressions of feelings. Werner takes this calmly, like most of his contemporaries, Pechorin, although he got along with him, this is clearly burdensome. He does not just need openness and sacrifice, so he is soon discarded.
Both heroes have a certain attraction to death, they are not afraid of it. However, Pechorin, by and large, strives for it. The officer commits risky acts, tempts fate, while Dr. Werner calmly waits for her onset. He sees no meaning in his life. Before the duel with Grushnitsky, Pechorin is overwhelmed by thoughts about the meaning of his existence. Knowing that his gun will not be loaded and his opponent can easily kill him, he makes no attempt to avoid the duel.
During the duel, Pechorin demonstrates his courage and nobility. Having let the enemy shoot first, he invites him to end the matter amicably. Pechorin shows not only his fatalism and craving for death, not only nobility, without which the nobles would have to drag out a miserable existence, but also the absence of cruelty and thirst to destroy. He does not feel any particular craving to stay in this world, but he does not want to take someone else's life either. Werner knows that the gun of the main character of the novel is not loaded, but does not voice this fact at the duel, in fact, committing a betrayal. His image serves in the novel in order to shade the feelings and experiences of an outstanding person.
Grigory Pechorin makes acquaintance with Dr. Werner on the waters in Pyatigorsk. The characters are very different, not only in character, but also in appearance, while they have so many common features that Werner is often called the double of the protagonist.
Character appearance
It is difficult to find similarities in their appearance, but there is something in both that makes them stand out from the crowd. In Pechorin, an aristocratic breed is felt: thin hands, light hair, black mustaches and eyebrows, a slightly upturned nose, broad shoulders, sad brown eyes.
Dr. Werner is short, thin, legs of different lengths, a disproportionately large head, his eyes are small and black.
The attitude of Pechorin and Werner to society
The perception of both characters in society is ambiguous. The doctors of the “water society” spread rumors that Dr. Werner was writing caricatures of patients, after which the physician lost his practice.
Gregory is also in constant conflict with the environment, but this is more likely due to his boredom. He is luckier, more attractive and richer than his "double", which becomes the cause of a quarrel with Grushnitsky and his friends. Pechorin and Werner are sharp-tongued, even a little evil ridiculing the shortcomings of others.
Pechorin serves in the army, but is wealthy, so he does not see the need to pursue ranks. Werner is poor, he dreamed of wealth, but did nothing for this. The doctor is bored with treating imaginary illnesses of wealthy patients (just remember what treatment he prescribed for Ligovsky), often laughs at them, but is able to sincerely cry over a dying soldier, which Pechorin once observed.
Heroes' thoughts about women
The opinions of both characters about the opposite sex are similar: Gregory believes that the female mind is extremely paradoxical, in order to convince a lady of anything, you need to forget even the elementary rules of logic. For Werner, the fair sex is like an enchanted forest: at first, monsters surround, but if you persist, a quiet green meadow opens.
Pechorin is more successful in relationships: he is young, smart, attractive and rich. But he himself is not able to love, sincere feelings are inaccessible to him, he is very quickly fed up with even the most beautiful and desirable woman. His attention brings only pain and suffering. Bela, through his fault, is deprived of her father's home, family, and then life. Vera almost loses her honor, and the young Princess Mary suffers such a blow from which she can hardly recover.
Werner, on the other hand, passionately loves women, and often achieves reciprocity, despite external unattractiveness.
The relationship between Pechorin and the doctor
The characters find common ground. Werner takes part in the fate of the main character of the novel, agrees to be his second. During the duel, he calls to expose the conspirators, sincerely caring for his younger friend. But it gives him the opportunity to make decisions on his own, retreating, having heard about his readiness to die in a duel. The doctor's attachment to Pechorin is stronger than the protagonist's attachment to him.
Psychological similarity of heroes
Pechorin is afraid sincere feelings: passionate love, true friendship, and this is the real reason for his tragedy. Reason prevails over emotional sphere. He probably realizes that he brings only pain and death to loved ones, destroys their lives, and therefore seeks death either in war or in a duel. He seems to be experimenting on others and on himself, regardless of other people's opinions and other people's feelings.
This is also characteristic of Werner in full measure, but he does not go into open confrontation, while Pechorin goes to the end, infuriating the interlocutor. Not without reason, when the doctor tells the main character that the princess is infatuated with Grushnitsky, both perceive this fact as the plot of a story that can decorate the boredom that reigns in the "water society". At the same time, Pechorin begins to actively act, and Werner continues to observe.
The image of Werner was necessary in order to demonstrate the danger of the individualistic philosophy inherent in romanticism. M. Yu. Lermontov clearly demonstrated the tragedy of the human soul, devoid of faith in anything.
