Abstract: This article is aimed to research the concept of Mstislav Cherny as a source of the plot for the novel “Vadim” by M. Yu. Lermontov. The idea of “Vadim” as an epic work formed in the merging of two literature genre-generics: poem and drama (the lyrics formed the internal, “soulful” basis of the novel). The outline of the plan for the work about Mstislav Cherny, placed under No. Sixteen in “Plans, Sketches, Plots” in Eleventh notebook (1831), should be considered as the “pre-story” version of the plan. Both the plan and the following “Plot” under No. Seventeen, which was dated 1832 after being found in Forth notebook, contain plot, plot-motivational features, as well as features of the image of the supposed heroes that will become widespread in “Vadim”. The main research methods are comparative, hermeneutic, axiological, literary-historical and textual. The novelty of the article lies in the fact that the concept of the work about Mstislav Cherny as the source of the plot for the novel “Vadim” is researched in detail for the first time. The author claims that both notes contain a forecast of the novel, but, oiented towards the implementation in different genre-generic forms: the first draft was an epic work; the second was supposed to be embodied in a historical drama, – both sketches were written during the period, when the young author was hesitating to select genre for combining the story of Pugachev's rebellion to the work: drama, or novel. The sketches also reflected young Lermontov’s intention to create the imagination of a modern protagonist, combining historical and romantic types of personality. Therefore, the author concludes that there is no doubt about the idea of Mstislav Cherny in its basic, combative ideas will be transformed in “Vadim”.

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the question that has not been previously raised within the framework of Lermontov studies, namely analysis of the essay of Lermontov’s late period “The Caucasian” from the perspective of reflection of existential problematic of literature of the early XIX century therein. The research is conducted on the ideological and artistic arrangement of the text, which represents the socio-psychological aspects of human adaptation to life. The author underlines that Lermontov chose the Caucasian discourse for expressing the personal biographical experiences and creative ideas of his novel “A Hero of Our Time”, which coincide with the period the writer’s military service in the Caucasus and vacation in St. Petersburg in 1841. This essay generalizes the threads of personal life and fate, featuring all possible characters representing the theme: natural. Georgian, state Caucasians, among them are the unnamed heroes of the entire textual space of Lermontov’s mature prose (Maxim Maksimych, Grushnitsky, wandering literary artist, Grigory Alexandrovich Pechorin, as well as female images Bela, Undine, Cossack woman, Nastya). The essay finale is an emotional outcome of futile existence of a human. The author follows the life path of the composite character – the Russian Caucasian from the initial novella “Bela” to finale of the essay “The Caucasian”, which appears to be emotional outcome of vain existence of a human having no real substance.

Abstract: This article explores the questions associated with the latter three days in the novels “Princess Mary” saturated with dramatic events: duel with Grushnitsky, breach in friendship with Dr. Werner, Vera’s departure, farewell to Princess Mary. Special attention is given the text, referred to as narrative interlude, which reflects the night and early morning events before the duel. The text is comprised of a lyrical part (from 2 am on June 17 to Pechorin's exclamation “amusing and upsetting”); the story continues in reminiscences of the hero a month and a half later in a different stylistic reflection. The author examines literary motifs underlying the decision of Lermontov to describe the events of the night before duel using different genre and styles – lyrical confession and novel narration, and believes that one of the key factors for understanding Lermontov’s plot lies in replacement of Walter Scott's novels for Pechorin’s night reading (“The Fortunes of Nigel” with “The Scottish Puritans”). According to the author, the novel “Scottish Puritans” is similar to the finale of “Princess Mary”. For substantiating this thesis,, the article focuses on the original title of the novel – “Old Morality”, translated into French as “The Scottish Puritans” and into Russian – “The Puritans”. It is assumed that the meaning of Scottish title was understandable to Lermontov; thus the author suggests a congenial collocation – "the frail dust". Events of the finale should be comprehended as a purifying catastrophe; its artistic idea meets requirement of the time – describe birth of a Christian person as a new stage of spiritual evolution.