SOURCE: "Lermontov as a Poet," in Mikhail Lermontov, Major Poetical Works, University of Minneapolis Press, 1983, pp. 8-22.

In the following essay, Lieberman studies Lermontov's poetics, demonstrating that the poet "became the first impressionist in the history of Russian letters."

Lermontov was confronted with the most difficult poetic task—to overcome the Pushkin canon (Eikhenbaum). To be so dependent on Pushkin, so totally, so completely, so slavishly; and to shake off this dependence—this is where Lermontov's genius manifested itself

(Anna Akhmatova, as reported by Lidia Chukovskaya).

The enormous literature on Lermontov falls roughly into six groups.

1) Gi; 1) biography =~ Sbiography

In 1841 Lermontov's readers knew nothing at all about his life. Even several decades later, the political scandal associated with his name sealed many mouths. His letters were destroyed, and his friends kept their recollections to themselves. At the same time his enemies spoke often and readily. Thanks to the...