Methods of The Superfluous Man
The superfluous Man is a character type brought to life by Russian authors during the 19th century. Although he previously appeared in stories from different places around the world and earlier time periods it was not until then that he received his title. According to The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica this title was given to him by Russian author Ivan Turgenev’s in his famous novel The Diary of a Superfluous Man. The main character from Turgenev’s novel shared nearly similar to identical characteristics to those that appeared before him. Leaving no doubt that this character type and those similar to it should be identified as The Superfluous Man. Turgenev was not the creator of this character nor was he the first author to use this character but he was the first to give him a name sort of an identity. That in today’s modern literature is more well known as the player or playboy.
This character possesses a great amount of qualities such as charm, handsomeness, and intellect. Even Though most of his decisions are questionable at times and make him seem foolish it is all part of his act. An act to protect his ego or social status and in most cases to conquer a challenge. Which in his case would be to win over a woman in order to prove another guy he is better or for his own satisfaction. His egoistic and narcissistic personality make him incapable of feeling sincere love or feelings for anyone other than himself. Since he is literally in love with himself regular methods of seduction do not suit him. So he come up with his own way and method of making the desired woman believe he is in love with her. In order to proceed with his plan.
The Superfluous Man changed the typical role a man was expected to play in love stories during this period of time. Love stories went from chivalry knights fairytale type were men did all sorts of heroic things in order to win over a girls minimal attention. To sensational bad boy with a criminal record or bad reputation that everyone wanted. But only a few would have something with him and even then it was all fake love. I Like to describe him or in a way imagine him as the king of the jungle who selects its prey and watches over it consecutively.
He learns the weaknesses and downfalls of this prey. When he feels time is right he attacks and devours it except that this predator is no animal. Physically at least he is a two legged human with all his body parts minus the part that feels love. But speaking metaphorically he has the mind of a predator and behaves as one.
Unlike other characters he has a particular way or method of making his desired woman fall for him. First he would have to encounter a beautiful woman preferably from nobility or a decent social status. The Superfluous man is all about looking great to others and having them speak highly about him. What better way to achieve this than by being with a beautiful lady from nobility. Second she must be a challenge of some sort whether it is that she is married, hard to get, or simply into someone else. The Superfluous Man enjoys danger and risky situations he would not mind getting into a scandalous affair. Breaking a few marriages here and there fighting a few duels over a woman.
A good example of this appears in A hero of our time by Mikhail Lermontov were the main character Pechorin expresses his feelings after a beautiful Princess shows attention to his friend. He says “I further confess that a nasty but familiar sensation, at that moment, skimmed over my heart. This sensation was envy: I boldly say ‘envy’ because I am used to being frank with myself in everything and it is doubtful if there can be found a young man who, upon meeting a pretty woman who has riveted his idle attention and has suddenly given obvious preference to another man equally unknown to her, it is doubtful, let me repeat, that there can be found a young man.” (Princess Mary pg. 89) Here we see his narcissistic attitude because his concern was not the princess but the fact that she prefers someone else. The Superfluous Man is constantly thinking about himself and his own needs.
After all he lounges around all day long figuring out what distress to cause and what plans to execute. Being so self centered and egocentric can have a person believing they are too good to do anything at all with their life. We can also see a good example of this in the same novel were Pechorin says ‘We have the beginning of a plot! ‘I cried in delight. ‘The
denouement of this comedy will be our concern. Fate is obviously taking care of my not being bored.’ ( Princess Mary pg. 93) We clearly see this is all a joke and a pastime for him that only benefits him. In order for his plan of vengeance against princess Mary to work he must rescue her. In one of the scenes from the story the princess arrives at a ball were she mistakenly is rude to another woman then this woman decides to send one of her workers to teach the princess a lesson. Prichorin overhears the conversation and decides to step in and save the princess.
We see this in the following “I went up to the drunk, took him rather firmly by the arm and looking steadily into his eyes, asked him to go away, because, I added, the princess had long ago promised to dance the mazurka with me” (Princess Mary pg. 109) By saving her from some type of distress he becomes a dreamy hero and she owes him a favor back in Order to thank him. Then part two of the plan comes into play he creates mystery and awakens curiosity in her by ignoring her and leaving any place she is present then he gets any other guy that wants to be with her out of his way. He does this by spreading rumors about this guy to others or the girl herself or by leaving during this guys presence to make it well known to the girl that he does not like her around him and the more she is around him The Superfluous Man will leave. After this he begins to show her attention but not too much just a bit to make her keep wanting more.
Then he opens up to her tells her a few things about himself some are real others are made up but for her it is something important. She takes this as a signal of love and finds it to be very romantic. They are connecting on a new level and this makes the lady feel more passionate and desire towards him. To add on to the danger of the situation he takes her on adventures were she experiences new things and feelings. Most of these activities involve things she is not used to doing or would be samed upon by everyone else if they found out. Some Superfluous Man are content with this and do not go further. But some take an extra step and persuade her to manifest her love for him. Once he gets her to give him her love he tells her that he can not love her the same way she loves him.
Once she is heartbroken and The Superfluous Man got what he wanted he moves on to another pray or scheme. He feels no remorse or shows no sign of redemption in fact he feels proud of himself and celebrates that his master plan went out so well. He has no regret for the life of the female he has ruined and her damages reputation as long as his is valued. Despite his reputation and fame he becomes more desired by females. Even though he can’t love anyone other than himself the feelings he makes his prey feel are desired by everyone. His character type will continue to be used because everyone wants to experience having bad boy in their life once.
Works Cited
Butenina, Evgeniya M. The Intext of “Superfluous Man” in Contemporary American Fiction.
Procedia- Social and behavioral Sciences, 22 August 2015, Vol.200, pp.403-407
library.ccny.cuny.edu. 27 Oct.2018
https://onesearch.cuny.edu/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=TN_sciversesciencedirect_el
sevierS1877-0428(15)04734-5&context=PC&vid=cc&search_scope=everything&tab=de
fault_tab&lang=en_US
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, Superfluous Man, Encyclopedia Britannica, inc. January
28, 2015. Web. 27 Oct. 2018 https://www.britannica.com/art/superfluous-man
Lermontov, Mikhail. A Hero of Our Time. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, inc.1992.print.
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