SOURCE: An introduction to Lermontov: A Study in Literary Historical Evaluation, translated by Ray Parrott and Harry Weber, Ardis, 1981, pp. 9-20.

In the following essay—originally published in Germany in 1924—Eikhenbaum analyzes Lermontov's poetry as an expression of his "historical individuality" rather than his "natural (psycho-physical) individuality."

To date Lermontov's creative work rarely has been interpreted as a literary historical fact. The traditional history of literature has regarded him only as a "reflection" of social moods, as a "confession of a member of the intelligentsia of the 30s and 40s"; other studies possess the character of impressionistic interpretations of a religio-philosophical or psychological type. Despite his extraordinary popularity, the revival of literary science begun some fifteen years ago in Russia has barely touched Lermontov. Apparently, this is explained by the fact that Lermontov does not stand in the rank of poets whose artistic influence has been clearly felt...