Female images in the novel "Fathers and Sons": semantic and artistic significance. Quote characteristic

In the novel Fathers and Sons, Turgenev depicted the socio-political struggle in Russia on the eve of the reform of 1861. Progressive-minded Russian people understood that changes in society were necessary, that the old economic structure and the old government system had exhausted themselves. But which way should Russia develop? Liberals and Democrats solved this most important issue differently. In previous novels, Turgenev clearly sympathized with the noble liberals, although he saw and honestly portrayed their shortcomings: lethargy of character, indecisiveness, absorption in his own experiences (for example, Fyodor Lavretsky from the novel “ Noble nest", Andrey Bersenyev and Pavel Shubin from the novel "On the Eve"),

In “Fathers and Sons,” the writer made the main character a democrat, who acts as a principled opponent of the liberal nobility. Therefore, the theme of the novel is a description of the social struggle on the eve of 1861, and the idea is the image of the “new man”, as Turgenev saw and understood him.

By the way the writer presented Bazarov, one can say that two feelings were fighting in Turgenev. On the one hand, the revolutionary democrat Bazarov denies the ideals of noble society, that is, as it seemed to the author, he no longer recognizes anything and deserves the name nihilist. On the other hand, Turgenev honestly tries to understand and portray Bazarov’s character. It is this approach to the “new man” that makes the novel “Fathers and Sons” extremely interesting.

The author is not very sympathetic to Bazarov, which is evident from the description of his unattractive appearance, strange hoodie-coat, unceremonious behavior, although at the same time Turgenev recognizes in the main character an inquisitive mind, sobriety of thought, directness of feelings, composure of will, which makes him an unusual person among soft , uninitiative nobles Kirsanovs. The writer does not like Bazarov’s contempt for noble culture and its traditional values ​​(to family relations, love, art, nature), but Turgenev did not find anyone among the nobles communicating with the young nihilist who could defeat him in ideological disputes.

In the novel, Bazarov has no worthy opponents among the nobles, but he also has no real like-minded people. Arkady Kirsanov values ​​the friendship of the “doctor’s son” and sincerely believes that Bazarov is “one of the most wonderful people” (XXI) he has ever met. But at the end of the novel, Arkady says goodbye to his friend-teacher forever, since he cannot withstand the demands of Bazarov’s maximalism. For Bazarov, the matter is the fight against outdated scientific views and unjust social orders; for Arkady, the matter is love, family, so he calmly exchanges advanced social ideas for a happy life on the family estate. Bazarov treats him friendly and at the same time condescendingly ironic.

Bazarov is openly contemptuous of the other two “nihilists” - Kukshina and Sitnikov, but is forced to endure them in order to have assistants at hand intended for various dirty deeds: “It’s not for the gods, in fact, to burn pots!..” (XIX ). For all Bazarov’s dislike for aristocrats, he must admit that the nobles Kirsanovs and Loktevs are many times superior in intelligence and development to the “nihilists” Sitnikov and Kukshina.

If Turgenev portrays Bazarov seriously in the novel, and in some episodes even sympathetically, then Kukshina and Sitnikov are described simply satirically. Turgenev deliberately emphasizes their carelessness, licentiousness, and stupidity. They are quite rightly characterized by the words of Pavel Petrovich: “Before, young people had to study; They didn’t want to be branded as ignoramuses, so they worked involuntarily. And now they should say: everything in the world is nonsense! - and the trick is in the bag. (...) And in fact, before they were just idiots, but now they suddenly became nihilists” (X).

To show his attitude towards women's emancipation (equality), Turgenev depicts two landowners in the novel - Avdotyo Nikitichna Kukshina and Anna Sergeevna Odintsova. Both heroines are free, albeit for different reasons. Odintsova is a young widow and therefore completely independent: she successfully manages her estate, takes care of her younger sister Katya and her old aunt. She, not afraid of evil gossip, invites Bazarov and Arkady to her estate. Kukshina is also independent, since she “separated” (XII) (divorces were extremely rare at that time) from her husband, but this “advanced” lady, on the recommendation of Sitnikov, does not know what to do with her independence. Her estate is practically managed by the elder Erofey, whom she beautifully compares with the famous American literary hero (!) - Pathfinder (the Pathfinder from the novel of the same name by F. Cooper), she has no children, and her poor relatives are never mentioned. In a word, Kukshina uses her freedom very unwisely: she leads a chaotic lifestyle and scandalizes provincial society from time to time.

Turgenev places two very similar episodes in his novel: first, Bazarov and Arkady easily come to visit Kukshina (XIII), and a few days later, after the ball, they pay a visit to Odintsova, at her invitation (XV). Avdotya Nikitichna’s house resembles Bedlam (the famous madhouse in London): the author does not forget to note the crooked nail business card on the front door, dust and disorder in the room, the landlady’s disheveled hair, her unkempt dress, tasteless bracelets on short hands, fingers brown from tobacco. The housewife easily judges everything, from mastic for gluing dolls to women’s labor in factories. Kukshina herself talks incessantly, jumps from one topic to another, asks questions to her interlocutor and does not listen to the answers. She sees nothing wrong with drinking champagne in the company of unfamiliar men and participating in drunken fun, which even the cynic Bazarov seemed indecent.

Odintsova decorated her room in the provincial hotel with many flowers; she went out to the guests - Arkady and Bazarov - in a “simple morning dress” (XV), which suited her, and during the entire visit “remained completely calm” (XV). Odintsova is distinguished by her tact, ability to listen to her interlocutor, unobtrusive intelligence and erudition, so that it was easy for both friends to talk to her: “The conversation lasted for more than three hours, leisurely, varied and lively” (XV).

Odintsova dresses with taste, behaves with dignity, and does not strive at all costs to attract everyone’s attention to her person, but at the governor’s ball, from the moment she meets her, she completely charms Arkady, and Bazarov also distinguishes her from the motley crowd of ladies. And Kukshina at the same ball can only “show off” with dirty gloves, a bird of paradise in her hair (XIV) and a very bold dance with Sitnikov.

Sitnikov is just as insignificant a person as Kukshina; he is intended to highlight the originality of the protagonist’s personality. Timidity and swagger are noted by Turgenev in his portrait (XII), and aplomb and uncertainty are intertwined in his behavior. So he comes to Nikolskoye without an invitation. “It’s difficult to convey in words how like a quail the young progressive flew into the room” (XIX), Turgenev sarcastically remarks. It is Sitnikov, more than anyone else, who resembles the “clown of a fool” with his ridiculous costume (Slavophile Hungarian - XII) and ingratiating behavior.

Despite his progressive beliefs, he strives with all his might to squeeze into secular society, where he is greeted with surprise and contempt. Sitnikov hurries to introduce himself to the governor; at the ball he promises to introduce Arkady to Odintsova, although he himself barely knows her. For Sitnikov, nihilism is fashion, an opportunity to show oneself interesting person and thereby hide his ordinary stupidity and dubious origin, of which he is very embarrassed (XIII): his father is a famous wine farmer. For a devastating description of this nihilist, it is enough to recall his words, which involuntarily parody the famous statement of Diogenes: “I am a student of Bazarov. I owe my rebirth to him. (...) When Evgeniy Vasilyevich said to me for the first time that he should not recognize authorities, I felt such delight... as if I had seen the light! “Here,” I thought, “I’ve finally found a man!” (XII).

Kukshina and Sitnikov - foam, which always appears on the surface, in plain sight, but one cannot judge the deep essence of the phenomenon from the foam. The son of a tax farmer, Sitnikov, and femme emancipee (a woman free from prejudice) Kukshin, distort the progressive ideas of their time; for them, nihilism is a way to scandalize society and thus distinguish themselves and become noticeable.

Bazarov believes that the study of natural sciences is a necessary thing, because it brings concrete benefits to people, and art is a useless activity that, perhaps, decorates life, but does not relate to pressing human needs. Therefore, according to the hero, Raphael, along with other artists, “is not worth a penny” (X). Based on such beliefs, Bazarov does not waste time studying art, demonstrating, for example, his absolute ignorance of Pushkin’s work (XXI). Kukshina adopted the same contemptuous attitude towards literature; for her, even George Sand is “a backward woman and nothing more!” (XIII). However, Bazarov is a good doctor, seriously knowledgeable about sciences related to medicine (chemistry, physics, botany), he is well-read in philosophy and political science. But Sitnikov and Kukshina don’t know anything properly, they don’t know how to do anything properly. From the last epilogue chapter, the reader learns that Kukshina abandoned her chemistry studies and no longer invents mastic, but, “hanging around” with Russian students, discovers new laws of architecture in Heidelberg (!). Sitnikov, with the most empty people, similar to himself, “hangs around” in St. Petersburg, continuing the “work” of Bazarov. Both caricatured “nihilists” are trying to cover up their worthlessness with the latest scientific and social concepts, without understanding anything about them in essence.

So, by placing Kukshina and Sitnikov next to Bazarov, Turgenev thereby emphasized all the significance of the character, all the seriousness of the protagonist’s convictions. Undoubtedly, Bazarov must have had friends and real like-minded people in social activities. “We are not as few as you think. (...) Moscow burned down from a penny candle” (X), says the young nihilist to Pavel Petrovich, but in the novel there are no hints of an important social activities hero. Turgenev showed him alone. This reflected the writer’s bias, the ideological rejection of the hero’s character and beliefs on the part of the author.

The last picture of the novel - Bazarov's grave, where only old parents come - confirms the same idea about loneliness and at the same time demonstrates the writer's sympathy for his hero. And the last act of the protagonist (a short fatal illness) is presented by Turgenev as a personal triumph of a young nihilist. After all, Bazarov accepts an accidental and absurd death with such sobriety and courage, which, of course, neither his ideological opponents nor his “devoted students” are capable of.

Characteristic literary hero Sitnikov is a pseudo-nihilist who considers himself a student of Bazarov. He tries, just like his idol, to be free and daring. However, his imitation looks comical. S. understands “nihilism” as overcoming one’s complexes. He is ashamed, for example, of his father, a tax farmer, who makes money by getting people drunk, and suffers from the insignificance and worthlessness of his personality. And “nihilism” allows the hero to feel his significance, his involvement in a “great” cause. S. is characterized by “anxious and dull tension” and dog-like devotion to the leader, Bazarov, despite the fact that he openly despises him. Bazarov believes that the Sitnikovs are needed for dirty work: “It’s really not for the gods to burn pots!” Kukshina Avdotya Nikitishna is an emancipated landowner and pseudo-nihilist. K. is very harsh in her assessments and irreconcilable in her views. She is interested in the situation of women around the world (“the women’s issue”) and is interested in natural sciences. This heroine is cheeky, vulgar, stupid. In addition, she is sloppy and unkempt. K. has an unhappy fate as a woman: she is ugly, does not enjoy success with men, and is abandoned by her husband. In “nihilism” she finds relaxation, a feeling of being busy.” important matter" In the novel, this image is presented in satirical tones.

Essay on literature on the topic: Sitnikov, Kukshina (Fathers and sons of Turgenev)

Other writings:

1. The plot of I. S. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” is contained in its very title. The involuntary confrontation between the older and younger generations, due to the changing spirit of the times, can be viewed both in a tragic way (F. M. Dostoevsky in the novel “Demons”), and in a satirical, humorous one. Read More......
2. Fathers and sons May 20, 1859 Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov, a forty-three-year-old but no longer young-looking landowner, nervously waits at the inn for his son Arkady, who has just graduated from university. Nikolai Petrovich was the son of a general, but destined for him military career Read More......
3. The problem of generations in I. S. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” When starting to work on the novel “Fathers and Sons,” I. S. Turgenev set himself the task of showing a turning point in the social development of Russia. He wanted to say goodbye to the old, passing era and Read More......
4. Bazarov Characteristics of the literary hero Evgeniy Vasilyevich Bazarov is a commoner, a medical student, a “nihilist.” It's daring, cynical, strong man. He is confident in the correctness of his ideas, does not recognize other opinions, and goes ahead. First, B. visits his friend Arkady Kirsanov. Here he proves his Read More......
5. In the novel, such people who cling to nihilism are the young merchant Sitnikov, who calls himself Bazarov’s student, and the landowner Kukshina, who talks about the emancipation of women. These stupid, cheeky people assimilate only the external side of the matter, zealously promote it and reach the point of absurdity, but the essence Read More ......
6. What is the essence of Bazarov's nihilism? The novel “Fathers and Sons” is directed against the nobility. This is not the only work of Turgenev written in this spirit (just remember “Notes of a Hunter”), but it especially stands out because in it the writer denounced not individual nobles, but the entire Read More ......
7. “Where, show us, are the fathers of the fatherland, Whom we should take as models?” A. S. Griboyedov From the middle of the 19th century, the era of realism in Russian literature began. More and more people realized that the policy was outdated and the country had stopped developing, as did its society. Read More......
8. Odintsova Characteristics of the literary hero Anna Sergeevna Odintsova is an aristocrat whom Bazarov fell in love with. O. displays features characteristic of the new generation of nobles: the absence of snobbery and arrogance, freedom of judgment and democracy. O. is smart and proud. Her deceased old husband left O. a huge inheritance. This Read More......

Not a single work of Turgenev caused so many heated debates, so many contradictory opinions, as the novel “Fathers and Sons”. Revolutionary-democratic criticism of the Sovremennik magazine saw in Bazarov “slander” and a “caricature” of the younger generation. The nihilist denier did not correspond to the younger generation's idea of ​​a revolutionary. Noble criticism also did not accept the main character Turgenev, who was placed on a very high pedestal by the author.

“Fathers and Sons” is a novel that sums up the long period of Turgenev’s work. In it, the writer realized his previously unsuccessful plan for the epic canvas “Two Generations”.

The central character of the novel “Fathers and Sons” is Yevgeny Bazarov, personifying the Russian “novelty”. He is a nihilist, denying everything that was outdated, outdated, unnecessary in noble society and in the aristocrats themselves. Is Bazarov alone in his nihilism or does he have friends and like-minded people? This question can be answered by analyzing the images of Arkady, Sitnikov and Kukshina.

Sitnikov and Kukshina, of course, are not the central figures of the work, but their images are interesting in their own way, since they appear in the novel as Bazarov’s pseudo-disciples.

Sitnikov, for example, says that he considers Bazarov his teacher: “I owe my rebirth to him.” Turgenev describes “Bazarov’s student” as a short man dressed in a Slavophile Hungarian robe. He has a quite pleasant face, but all his features show an “anxious and dull expression.” All this, like the “shrill” and “wooden” laughter, shows that this person is the opposite of the calm, self-confident and, of course, smart Bazarov. Sitnikov is verbose and fussy; in all his actions one can see a desire to serve. The statements of this hero turn out to be empty words. Sitnikov calls himself a nihilist, but at the same time loves the “comfort of life.” “The young progressive,” as Turgenev mockingly characterizes him, emphasizes that he despises women, but the author immediately notes that in a few months Sitnikov, having married, will grovel before his wife only because she was born Princess Durdolesova.

It is Sitnikov who introduces Bazarov and Arkady to one “progressive” lady. And here before us is Evdokia Kukshina - another “nihilist”. In her house we encounter signs of the owner’s “emancipation”: a sign hanging crookedly on the door, cigarette butts scattered everywhere, neglect and dirt.

The appearance of “emancipe” Kukshina is defiantly sloppy: she is a somewhat disheveled young lady in a not entirely neat dress. It would seem that Bazarov does not attach importance to clothes, but when he saw Kukshina, he winced. The author informs the reader that the expression on her face somehow had an unpleasant effect on everyone who saw her.

Everything is unnatural in Kukshina. She wants to be independent and even cheeky, but at the same time everything turns out awkward and unnatural for her. She strives to show herself as an educated woman and tries to drag Bazarov into a pseudoscientific conversation about the women's issue and the backwardness of George Sand. It is clear from everything that she constantly has the same conversations with Sitnikov, surprising provincial townspeople with her “knowledge”. But Bazarov, who understands the emptiness of these arguments, is not interested in such discussions.

No matter how much Kukshina boasts of her “emancipation,” she still lives with an eye on public opinion. So, for example, at the governor’s ball, when Arkady and Bazarov left, the “independent” lady “nervously” angrily, but timidly laughed after them. Her pride was hurt by the fact that no attention was paid to her.

So who is Kukshina? Progressive educated woman? Of course not. She doesn't even read magazines - they lie in her room with uncut pages. Apparently it didn't work out for her family life. She has no children to pay attention to. And in order to somehow declare herself, on the one hand, and justify herself to provincial society, on the other, she declares marriage a prejudice and even a crime.

Bazarov says: “I don’t share anyone’s opinions. I have mine." “Down with authorities!” - Kukshina and Sitnikov echo him. But do they really have an opinion about anything? No. They are attracted to nihilism as a fashion. They see in it an opportunity to force people to talk about themselves and behave with a great deal of promiscuity.

Using their example, Turgenev shows how great the difference is between the words “to be” and “to be reputed.” Sitnikov and Kukshina are reputed to be progressive people, but they are not. Having surrounded Bazarov with imaginary students, pathetic and mediocre imitators, the author entrusted the mission of representing the generation of “children” entirely to the main character.

Sitnikov and Kukshina, imitating the nihilists, hide their feelings of inferiority. For Kukshina, this manifests itself in her inability to be a wife and mother. Sitnikov is ashamed of his simple origins.

And yet, it is no coincidence that these heroes appear in Turgenev’s novel. They emphasize Bazarov's loneliness, intensifying his tragedy. Eugene has no allies, like-minded people, followers or continuers of his work. Even Arkady turned out to be a temporary traveling companion. The teacher failed to re-educate his best and only student. But he had no intention of re-educating Sitnikov and Kukshina. Has his theory really cracked? Where did he go wrong? Why is he lonely? Maybe Bazarov needs to look for a new social theory? As an unyielding and tragic personality, he goes to the end, choosing consistent individualism on the basis of old views.

The main character of I. S. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” is Evgeny Bazarov. He calls himself a nihilist. Nihilism is a belief based on the denial of all previous experience of human thought, on the destruction of traditions and social norms. In Russia it's...

In the novel by I.S. Turgenev “Fathers and Sons” political, philosophical and moral problems. The work touches on the so-called “eternal issues”: the relationship between the older and younger generations (“fathers and sons”), love and friendship, life choices...

Turgenev’s six novels, created over a period of more than twenty years (“Rudin” -1855, “Nove” -1876), represent an entire era in the history of the Russian socio-psychological novel. The first novel "Rudin" was written in a record short time - 49 days (with...

Lesson objectives: Educational - deepening students' knowledge about the character of the main character based on comparing him with other characters in the novel through revealing their complex relationships; Educational - fostering a culture of feelings, a serious attitude...

1. New!

   I. S. Turgenev belongs to those unique artists who are able to catch the breath of time in everyday life, discern the social and eternal conflicts of the era, capturing them in their works. This largely applies to the novel...

After its publication in 1862, Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” caused a literal flurry of critical articles. None of the public camps accepted Turgenev’s new creation. Liberal criticism could not forgive the writer for the fact that representatives of the aristocracy...

Kukshina is a minor heroine in Turgenev's novel Fathers and Sons. This is a fairly young woman, she adheres to modern views, she does not live with her husband and devotes all her free time to taking care of the estate. In addition, she fights for women's independence.

Outwardly, she was not distinguished by beauty - she dressed very casually and untidy, and at the same time behaved very cheekily and indecently. She loves to drink and smoke, she has cigarette butts and dirty things scattered everywhere in her house.

She does not have those signs of spiritual qualities that any woman should have. She can easily start a conflict out of nowhere.

With all this, she believes that she is a kind and generous woman who performs any of her actions solely out of good intentions. She is ready for absolutely any action in order to achieve what she wants or in order to take revenge on her offender.

Her facial expression is always the same, it does not express any emotions or feelings.

In the eyes of others, she also does not look like an interesting conversationalist. She, while defending nihilistic ideas, does not even really know the meaning of this teaching. People feel this insincerity and understand how ridiculous and absurd this woman is in her thoughts.

The main characters of the novel, when visiting Kukshina, are quite patient with her, with her disorder and fiery speeches, but after a while, they, disappointed, stop communicating.

Her interest in promoting nihilistic beliefs is explained by the absence of a loved one nearby. To escape from worries and unsettledness in her personal life, she goes into discussion of public life.

She is not interested in men, most of her emotional movements seem insincere and unreal. Her first husband left her, after which she ceased to be attractive to other males.

The image of this woman appears in the novel for a reason. Despite her caricature, she is, in a way, a litmus test for understanding other, more important characters.

Essay about Kukshina

Avdotya Nikitishna Kukshina is minor character works and one of the brightest female images novel.

Kukshina is described by the author as an emancipated representative of the landowner class, imitating radical views and being an adherent of nihilism. Having once been abandoned by her husband and not arousing the interest of other men, Avdotya is interested in exact sciences, studies the situation and rights of women in other countries of the world, since she considers herself a feminist, does not accept compromises and sharply expresses her own opinion in an unceremonious manner.

At the same time, in communication with her interlocutors, Kukshina reveals herself as a cheeky, vulgar, unkempt woman of unpleasant appearance, who loves booze and tobacco products. In her house, where she manages single-handedly, there is constant disorder and chaos, things, books, cigarette butts, clothes are scattered everywhere.

Avdotya is characterized by a lack of human, spiritual feelings and the manifestation of signs of stupidity, rudeness, and rudeness. She is able to easily start a quarrel for no reason, in which she will not think about expressions and statements. However, the woman herself positions herself as a generous, good and decent person, but never forgets the insults that were caused to her personally. Having set a goal for herself, Kukshina strives to achieve it by any available means and means, ready even to commit an unseemly and unsightly act, but at the same time confident in her own sinlessness.

Looking at Kukshina, who dresses sloppily and tastelessly with a feigned and faceless expression, one gets a repulsive, unpleasant impression, since all the woman’s emotions and actions carry a tinge of unnaturalness.

Participating in conversations and self-confidently thinking that she is an active nihilist, Avdotya is perceived in the eyes of the people around her as an awkward and clumsy woman who does not have any elements of femininity, charm, charm.

Kukshina’s comrades treat the woman with incredible patience and try to calmly accept all her antics and bitchy character, but gradually, they turn away from Avdotya and stop communicating.

Revealing the image of Avdotya Kukshina, the writer emphasizes that everything characteristic features the heroine is determined by her female inferiority, inferiority and lack of full-fledged personal happiness. A woman internally convinces herself that she is engaged in a noble and worthy cause, agitating for nihilistic principles, in which she finds a way out of salvation from worries about her failed life. female share and drawing inner inspiration for yourself.

From the point of view of the author of the novel, who portrayed Avdotya Kukshina using the method of satire and parody as a caricature of the main character Evgeny Bazarov, such women are capable of depriving even the most literate and far-sighted people of their authority, but, unfortunately, these female representatives are very numerous in modern society.

Option 3

Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons,” written in 1860, reflected a global problem in society and politics before the reform of 1861. One of minor characters, but playing an important role in the novel is Avdotya (Evdokia) Nikitishna Kukshina.

This is a young woman, a landowner. Her views on life are progressive, she is an active fighter for women's rights, and is constantly interested in the “women's issue.” Kukshina was married for some time, but her husband left her, and she continued to run her household alone. Outwardly, Evdokia is unremarkable; most consider her ugly. Likes to read a lot, study natural sciences, plays the piano and smokes cigarettes. Kukshina behaves cheekily in society, looks sloppy and untidy.

Evdokia Kukshina has a dual nature. On the one hand, when we first meet her, she seems quite ordinary, sometimes even an interesting person. But on the other hand, upon closer acquaintance, her image reveals itself more vividly. In fact, this is an unnatural, homely woman, trying in her passion for nihilism to hide her personal drama and female failure. Her image is satirical in nature; she does not have that femininity that should be present in every representative of the fair sex.

Evdokia Kukshina is frankly stupid, it is not so much her appearance as her demeanor that repels men from her, even her own husband left her. Her strange expression on her face was especially repulsive, and many wanted to ask the question: “Are you hungry? Are you shy? Are you hungry? Any mannerisms, whether she moved or spoke, seemed unnatural and forced to everyone. Although Evdokia herself most likely considered herself a simple and good-natured lady. But, whether because of her timidity or shyness, it seemed to everyone that she was being dishonest with them.

The image of Kukshina shows the reader that a woman in those days, just like today, strives to be independent. She actually tried to defend her rights as an individual, maintain conversations on any topic, read a lot and was interested in the lives of women abroad. But because of her stupidity and uncertainty, she seemed to others to be an unnatural and strange person.

Essay Image and characteristics of Kukshina

In the book by Ivan Turgenev, the image of an emancipatory woman, new for that era, is well revealed. This image is displayed too sharply, feignedly and exaggeratedly in the person of Avdotya Nikitishna Kukshina. She is like a twisted mirror of Bazarov’s image and the direct antipode of Fenechka.

The novel clearly shows the negative attitude of the author, Ivan Turgenev, towards his character; apparently, he was greatly irritated by the trends that were beginning in society at that time, in particular, the fashion for emancipation and emancipated women. Maybe that’s why even at the first meeting with Eudoxia main character he just frowns, although there is nothing negative in the description of the heroine’s appearance, or rather “there was nothing ugly in her “figure....” Nevertheless, she plays her role in the novel, since it was in a conversation with her that the name Odintsova was first heard, who later played an important role in the development of the characters.

Avdotya Nikitishna Kukshina is a liberated mistress, a pseudo-nihilist. Avdotya expresses radicalism, is decisive and principled in her assessments and views. She is interested in the “women's issue” in various countries, she has an interest in exact sciences. She's opinionated, rude, and definitely ridiculous. On top of everything else, she is ugly and sloppy; it is difficult to find anything human, much less charming, about her. It can be assumed that the heroine’s interest in “nihilism” may help her forget about the feeling of disadvantage from her own female insufficiency. She is ugly, has never been the center of male attention, and her husband abandoned Avdotya. “Nihilism” instills in her a feeling of being busy with a very “important matter”, in which she finds joy, having forgotten about her bitter fate. However, this image is more of a mocking character. After all, even in the heroine’s surname, which corresponds to the word “kukish”, there is a comic orientation of this hero.

In the image of Avdotya Nikitishna, the terrible sides of the female population are presented. Avdotya is an inconspicuous woman who has confusion in her head, everything is mixed up, and there is no worldview of her own. She is incredibly harsh in her views and uncompromising in her assessments. She loves to argue and create problems for people without noticing it. He can make a scandal out of any trifle. If someone does any harm to her, she will remember it for a very long time, but if they do harm to her, she may be offended. He will always achieve his goal, even if it means doing something bad. Most often he overdoes it with emotions.

The main character of the work is Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin, whom the writer presents as a twenty-six-year-old tall young man with thick blond hair, bluish eyes, sunken cheeks and a pointed beard.