SOURCE: Ekshtut, Semyon. “Pushkin's Heir.” Russian Life 42, no. 6 (30 November 1999): 19-32.

In the following essay, Ekshtut explores the influence of Pushkin on Lermontov's life and work.

The Lermontov family cherished their links to the 13th century Scottish poet Sir Thomas Learmont, dubbed “The Rhymer.” According to Scottish legend, Sir Thomas was enchanted by a beautiful Elfin princess and spent seven years in her fairy kingdom, where he could not utter a word, lest he never return home again. He endured the silence and so the princess rewarded him on his departure with an apple from the Tree of Knowledge. This enchanted apple bestowed upon him “a tongue that could never lie.” It was a gift, the queen said, “not to be taken lightly by any man. Greater than you imagine, it will bring you lasting fame …” Learmont used his gift wisely and did indeed gain lasting fame, yet this...