A Hero of Our Time by Alexander Pushkin, Eugene Onegin and Mikhail Lermontov both develop self-centered characters in Onegin and Pechorin respectively. Onegin's dissatisfaction in his personal life led him to disrespect the rules of society despite being aware of social reality. Meanwhile, Pechorin's boredom led him to his dark forces through awareness of his thoughts. Both characters' awareness of their own reality and dark forces is depicted through their self-centered beings. The introduction is much better. Onegin and Pechorin have many main characteristics in common mainly because they have been described as the superfluous men of their respective novels. Superfluous characters are usually wealthy, privileged individuals who have a sense of not belonging. They typically have contempt for social values, no sense of purpose, and an inability to lay the foundation for their lifestyle which leads to boredom. These superfluous traits in Onegin and Pechorin are manifested in their love of gambling, romantic intrigues and duels. Both characters are unstable, morally weak men who deal with spiritually strong women, which leads to their emotions going uncontrolled and disrespecting women. Self-centeredness is a big focus in both novels. Alienation from the political and intellectual life of their country was a key factor, even though both Onegin and Pechorin came from the noble class. They are searching for who they really are, but are only met with disappointment and desperation. Onegin and Pechorin both accept fate, but in different ways. Onegin states in his letter to Tatyana: “The die is cast: I am in your power. And I surrender to my fate (VIII, Onegin's Letter to Tatyana)”, essentially saying that his life is in Tatyana's hands. Since Tatyana did not accept his letter at this time, Onegin deserves hers