The narrator views Pechorin more as a novelistic construct, whereas Maxim Maxymich maintains an (unrequited) emotional connection to him. These differing viewpoints are probably indicative of the level of removal implicit in each man's relationship to Pechorin. The narrator receives information about Pechorin second-hand (from Maxim Maximych or anonymous rumors) and is therefore able to consider him dispassionately but not disinterestedly. Maxim Maximych, on the other hand, has developed affectionate feelings toward Pechorin as a result of Maxim's close proximity with the manduring his time in the army.