All heroes are fathers and sons. Heroes of the novel fathers and sons of Turgenev essay
Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev was a nobleman whose condition was not regrettable. He had a stable, permanent income and was engaged in writing for his own self-fulfillment.For a long time, the author limited himself to writing stories and short stories. He seemed to be gathering strength and life experience for his novels, which brought him worldwide fame. The writer initially defined even his first novel, “Rudin,” as a story. Later, things began to work out for the author with novels, and he wrote six works, one after another, over ten years.
The history of the creation of the novel “Fathers and Sons”
Turgenev began publishing his novels starting in 1856, and all of his works became an integral and important part of Russian literature.
Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" became the fourth novel in literary activity writer. The years of its creation were 1860-1861, when the writer began to feel more confident. This novel is rightfully considered the pinnacle of his work, where all the writer’s manners are perfectly visible. And to date this novel is the most famous work Ivan Turgenev, and his popularity is still growing, since the plot raises very important issues that are relevant today.
The author tried to convey a lot to the reader. He perfectly depicted how relationships develop between people belonging to different social strata. I tried to reflect modern reality and touched on topics that still interest people. But then Ivan Sergeevich himself more than once emphasized that it was very important for him to show his writing skills in the book, and not just to gain fame and popularity by discussing pressing problems.
A striking example of this is his novel “Fathers and Sons,” which was published already in 1862. At this time, the political situation in the country was tense. Serfdom was finally abolished, Russia and Europe began to move closer. Hence the various philosophical movements that began to emerge in Russia.
However, the main action of the novel dates back to the time before reforms took place in Russia. Approximately the action of Turgenev's novel can be dated back to 1859. It was Ivan Turgenev who first introduced such a concept as “nihilism”, which became a new direction in public life countries and gains popularity.
The main character of Turgenev's novel is Evgeny Bazarov. He is precisely a nihilist. Young people of that time took him as a role model, highlighting in him such moral qualities as
uncompromisingness, lack of any respect or admiration for what older or authoritative people say.
Turgenev's hero puts his views above all else. Everything that can be useful or beautiful, but does not coincide with his worldview, everything recedes into the background. This was unusual for the literature of that time, which is why the phenomenon depicted by the author found such a lively response among readers.
The plot of Turgenev's work "Fathers and Sons"
The action takes place in 1859. Two nihilist friends come to the Kirsanovs’ estate, which is located in Maryino. Arkady met his new friend Evgeny Bazarov at the institute where he studied to become a doctor. Nikolai Petrovich was looking forward to this arrival, who missed his son greatly. But unfortunately, Evgeny’s relationship with the elder Kirsanovs does not go well, and Evgeny decides to leave their hospitable home and moved to a small town in the province.
Arkady leaves with him. Together they have a great time in the company of young people and beautiful girls. But one day at a ball they meet Odintsova, both fall in love with her and go to her estate, accepting the invitation. They live in Nikolskoye for some time, but Evgeniy’s explanations are not reciprocated, so he leaves. This time he goes to his parents, and Arkady goes with him. But the love of the old Bazarovs soon begins to irritate Evgeny, so they again return to Maryino to the Kirsanov family. Bazarov, who is trying to find a way out of the love he has for Anna Sergeevna, kisses Fenechka. Pavel Petrovich sees this and challenges him to a duel. All this led to a scandal, and the friends parted ways.
But Arkady, who has been visiting Nikolskoye for a long time and is infatuated with Katenka, one day meets Bazarov there. After Arkady's explanation and his declaration of love to Katenka, Bazarov returns to his parents. He decides to forget Odintsova, so he begins to act decisively and helps his father treat patients with typhus. Once he became infected when he opened up a peasant who had died of typhus. He tried to invent a drug that could cure everyone. He gets sick for a long time and then dies. Just before his death, he asks Odintsova to come and she fulfills his request. Arkady marries Odintsova's sister, and Nikolai Kirsanov finally decides to legitimize his relationship with Fenechka. His older brother leaves the country forever and settles abroad.
Heroes of Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons"
Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" has a large number of heroes. Among them there are main characters who influence the entire plot of the novel. There are episodic ones that add color and allow the author to express his thoughts even brighter and more accessible.
The main characters of the work “Fathers and Sons” include the following persons:
★ Bazarov.
★ Kirsanov brothers: Nikolai Petrovich and Pavel Petrovich.
★ Arkady Kirsanov.
Bazarov is a student, a nihilist. He plans to become a doctor in the future. Evgeniy Vasilyevich has practically no friends. But then he meets the Kirsanov family. So, he first meets Arkady, who is easily influenced, so he tries to impose his nihilist views on him. He does not understand and does not at all want to accept people of the older generation, and does not take into account the opinions of his parents. Bazarov is a commoner, that is, a person who has broken away from his previously familiar environment. But falling in love with Odintsova, he suddenly changes his views, and it soon turns out that a real romantic lives in his soul. After his death, a religious ceremony is performed over his body, like a simple and ordinary person.
Nikolai Petrovich is one of the main characters of Turgenev’s novel. Kirsanov is a landowner and Arkady's father. He adheres to conservative views, and therefore does not accept Bazarov’s nihilism. His wife died long ago, but there is another love in his life - for Fenechka, a peasant woman. At the end of the novel, he, despite all the conventions of society, marries her. He is romantic, loves music and has a good attitude towards poetry. His elder brother, Pavel Petrovich, is very different in character. Pavel Petrovich was once an officer, but is now retired. He is aristocratic, self-confident, proud. He loves to talk about art and science. He was once in love, but the love ended in tragedy. His attitude towards other heroes is different: he loves his nephew and brother. He also treats Fenechka well, because she resembles that woman, the princess, with whom he was once in love. But he openly hates Bazarov both for his views and behavior, and even challenges him to a duel. In this battle, Pavel Petrovich was slightly wounded.
Arkasha Kirsanov is Bazarov’s friend and the son of the Kirsanovs’ younger brother. He, too, will become a doctor in the future, but for now he is only a student. The nihilist Bazarov has a huge influence on him and for some time he adheres to his views and ideas, but, once in his parents’ house, he abandons them.
There are others in Turgenev's novel characters, which cannot be classified as episodic, but they do not have a major role in revealing the plot:
⇒ Bazarov, father of the nihilist Evgeniy. Vasily Ivanovich was once a surgeon in the army, and is currently retired. He is educated and smart, but not rich. He loves his son, but does not share his views, still adhering to conservative ideas.
⇒ Arina Vlasyevna is a pious woman, Bazarov’s mother. She has a small estate, which is managed by her husband and 10-15 serfs. Superstitious and suspicious, she is very worried about her son.
⇒ Odintsova. Anna Sergeevna prefers a calm and measured life. When she listens to a declaration of love from Bazarov, she refuses him, although she still liked him. She is rich and inherited this wealth from her husband.
⇒ Katenka Lokteva is a quiet and almost invisible girl, always in the shadow of her sister Odintsova. Arkady is in love with her, but he was not immediately able to sort out his feelings because of Odintsova’s infatuation with Anna. Katenka will marry Arkady.
There are many episodic persons in Turgenev’s novel:
Viktor Sitnikov is an adherent of nihilism.
Kukshina is a nihilist, but Eudoxia adheres to these ideas only for his own good.
Fenechka. She gave birth to a child for her master, and then became his wife. The eldest of the Kirsanovs and Bazarovs is fighting because of her.
Dunya, Fenechka's servant.
Peter, a servant in the Kirsanovs' house.
Princess Nellie R, with whom the elder Kirsanov was once in love.
Kolyazin is a city official.
Loktev is the father of two young and beautiful heroines of Turgenev’s novel.
Avdotya Stepanovna is the aunt of the young heroines, a princess, but an evil and very harmful old woman.
Timofeevich, clerk.
Critical reviews and ratings
Turgenev's work was perceived differently. For example, readers did not approve of the main character of Turgenev’s novel, who crossed many values. But the youth, on the contrary, tried their best to support him, believing that main character works are a vivid reflection of the world in which they live.
The opinions of the censors were also divided. An unusual and heated dispute flared up on the pages of the Sovremennik magazines and the famous Russian Word. At this time, riots broke out in the city on the Neva, when unknown aggressive young people staged a pogrom. People died as a result of the riots. Many believed that Ivan Turgenev, who wrote the novel “Fathers and Sons,” was also to blame for this, because only his new phenomenon, like nihilism, could lead to such a result. Some even believed that Turgenev's novel could not be called a work of art.
But there were also those who defended the writer and his novel, believing that these riots would have taken place without Turgenev’s work.
The critics agreed on one thing - the novel was written very worthy, from the point of view of artistic literary language. That is why the novel, written by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev a century and a half ago for his contemporaries, remains relevant today.
In 1862, Turgenev wrote the novel Fathers and Sons. During this period, a final break was outlined between two social camps: liberal and revolutionary-democratic. In his work, Turgenev showed a man new era. This is the democrat commoner Bazarov. Throughout almost the entire novel, Bazarov is accompanied by his friend Arkady. By origin, and by social status, they belong to different social classes. According to his convictions, Bazarov is “a democrat to the core.” The friends study together at university and have been friends for several years.
At first, Arkady falls under the influence of Bazarov, he wants to be like Evgeny, and at the same time he sincerely shares the views of his older and more authoritative comrade. Arkady is forced to join the nihilists by “young courage and youthful enthusiasm.” But he is not guided by Bazarov’s ideas in life. They do not become an organic part of him, which is why he will so easily abandon them later. Later, Bazarov says to Arkady: “Our dust will eat your eyes, our dirt will stain you.” That is, Arkady is not ready for the “tart, bitter botanical life” of a revolutionary.
Bazarov, assessing the life of a revolutionary, is both right and wrong. The destruction of established foundations, traditions, and views always causes fierce resistance from the old world, and it is hard for the progressive fighters. The revolutionary democratic ideal of happiness is revolutionary activity for the benefit of the people, despite personal adversity.
Arkady, of course, is not ready for this, since he is, in Evgeniy’s words, “a soft liberal barich.” In their “youthful enthusiasm,” liberals do not go beyond noble ebullience, but for Bazarov this is “nonsense.” Liberals do not “fight,” but “imagine themselves to be great; revolutionaries want to fight.” Giving an assessment of Arkady, Bazarov identifies him with the entire liberal camp. Spoiled by life in noble estate, Arkady “involuntarily admires himself,” he enjoys “scolding himself.” This is boring for Bazarov, he “needs to break others.” Arkady just wanted to seem like a revolutionary; there was a lot of youthful posturing in him, but in his soul he always remained a “liberal gentleman.”
But Arkady doesn’t understand this yet. For the time being, he considers himself a “fighter” and appreciates Bazarov for his willpower, energy, and ability to work. At the Kirsanov estate, Bazarov is initially received cordially. Arkady asks his family to take care of Bazarov. But Bazarov’s revolutionary democracy does not at all fit in with the liberal aristocracy of the Kirsanov house. He does not fit into their life, full of idleness. And here, as a guest, Bazarov continues to work. The lifestyle of friends on the estate is expressed in the author’s phrase: “Arkady was a sybaritist, Bazarov worked.” Bazarov conducts experiments, reads special books, collects collections, treats village peasants. According to Bazarov, work is a necessary condition of life. Arkady is never shown at work. Here, on the estate, Bazarov’s attitude to both nature and the people is also revealed.
Bazarov considers nature not a temple, but a workshop, and a person in it as a worker. For Arkady, as for the rest of the Kirsanovs, nature is an object of admiration and contemplation. For Bazarov, such an attitude means lordship. He objects to prayerful contemplation of nature, meaningless from his point of view, enjoying its beauty. It requires an active attitude towards nature and the surrounding world. Himself. treats nature as a caring owner. Nature pleases him when he sees the fruits of active intervention in it. And here, too, the points of view of Arkady and Bazarov diverge, although Arkady is not talking about this yet.
Bazarov and Arkady have different attitudes towards both love and women. Bazarov is skeptical about love. He says that only a fool can feel free with a woman. But meeting Odintsova changes his views on love. She impresses Bazarov with her beauty, charm, and ability to carry herself with dignity and tact. He develops feelings for her when spiritual communication begins between them.
Odintsova is smart, able to understand Bazarov’s originality. Evgeny, despite his outward cynicism, discovers in love an aesthetic feeling, high spiritual needs, and respect for the woman he loves. But Odintsova is essentially an epicurean lady. Peace is above all for her. Therefore, she extinguishes the emerging feeling for Bazarov. And in this situation, Bazarov behaves with dignity, does not become limp and continues to work. The mention of love for Odintsova causes Bazarov to admit that he is “broken,” and he does not want to talk about it,
Arkady's acquaintance with Katya, Odintsova's younger sister, reveals that his ideal is “closer,” that is, he is in the family, on the estate. Arkady realized that he was “no longer that arrogant boy”, that he was still “asking himself tasks that were beyond his strength,” that is, Arkady admits that the life of a revolutionary is not for him. And Katya herself says that Bazarov is “predatory”, and Arkady is “tame”.
Bazarov is close to serfs. For them he is “a brother, not a master.” This is confirmed by Bazarov’s speech, which contains many folk proverbs and sayings, and his simplicity in communicating with ordinary people. Although on his father’s estate the peasants treat Bazarov as a master, in all other episodes of the novel he is more “at home” with the people than any of the Kirsanovs. Arkady remains to a greater extent a gentleman, a master for people. True, it also happens that some unfamiliar man mistook Bazarov for an eccentric when he wanted to “talk to the people.” But this didn't happen often.
In addition, Bazarov is demanding, one might even say too demanding, of himself. He tells Arkady that “every person must educate himself.” His commitment to nihilism leads him to become ashamed of natural human feelings. He seeks to suppress their manifestations in himself. Hence some of Bazarov’s dryness, even in relation to the people closest to him. But to Arkady’s question whether Bazarov loves his parents, he answers simply and sincerely: “I love you, Arkady!”
However, it should be noted that Bazarov’s parents are hopelessly “behind” their son. They cannot not only keep up with him, but also follow him. True, this “backwardness” of the old Bazarovs does not deserve Enyushka’s not entirely respectful, and sometimes even simply disregarding, attitude towards them. Is it possible to demand from old people that they think and act like young people? Is it not thanks to the efforts of his parents that Bazarov receives an education? In this case, Bazarov’s maximalism looks very unattractive; Arkady loves his loved ones, but seems to be embarrassed by this love. Bazarov gives an apt, comprehensive, but at the same time rather evil characterization of Arkady’s father and uncle, to which Arkady objects, but somehow sluggishly. By this, he seems to support the point of view of Bazarov, who believes that a nihilist should not express his feelings. Arkady flared up only when Bazarov called his uncle an “idiot” behind his back. Perhaps it was at this moment that the first serious crack appeared in the relationship between friends.
It should be noted that Bazarov's nihilism, unfortunately, leads to the denial of old and new art. For him, “Raphael is not worth a penny, and they (that is, the new artists) are no better than him.” He declares that “at forty-four years old it’s stupid to play the cello,” and reading Pushkin in general “is no good.” Bazarov considers art a form of profit. For him, “a decent chemist is more useful than any poet,” and art is not capable of changing anything in life. This is the extreme of Bazarov's nihilism. Bazarov emphasizes the importance of scientists for Russia, since Russia at that time lagged behind the West in science. But Arkady actually loves poetry, and he would read Pushkin if Bazarov were not around.
Arkady and Bazarov seem to be opposing each other; At first this confrontation is completely imperceptible, but gradually, as the action develops, it intensifies and reaches open conflict and the rupture of friendly relations. This reveals one of the aspects of the novel’s conflict, expressed through the use of contrast. Let us note that in this case it is no longer “fathers” and “children” who are in conflict, but, so to speak, “children” with “children”. Thus, the breakup between Bazarov and Arkady is inevitable.
Arkady is not ready for the “tart, bitter botanical life” of a revolutionary. Bazarov and Arkady say goodbye forever. Evgeny breaks up with Arkady without saying a single friendly word to him, and for Bazarov to express them is “romanticism,”
Arkady finds the ideal of life in a family. Bazarov dies, remaining true to his views. It is before death that the strength of his convictions is tested. Arkady did not instill nihilistic beliefs. He understands that the life of a revolutionary democrat is not for him. Bazarov dies a nihilist, and Arkady remains a “liberal gentleman.” And at the end of the novel, Arkady refuses to remember his ex-friend at a common table.
Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" was written in 1861. He was immediately destined to become a symbol of the era. The author especially clearly expressed the problem of the relationship between two generations.
To understand the plot of the work, we suggest reading “Fathers and Sons” in a chapter-by-chapter summary. The retelling was done by a teacher of Russian literature, it reflects all the important points of the work.
Average reading time is 8 minutes.
Main characters
Evgeny Bazarov- a young man, a medical student, a bright representative of nihilism, a trend when a person denies everything in the world.
Arkady Kirsanov– a recent student who arrived at his parents’ estate. Under the influence of Bazarov, he becomes interested in nihilism. At the end of the novel, he realizes that he cannot live like this and abandons the idea.
Kirsanov Nikolay Petrovich- landowner, widower, father of Arkady. He lives on the estate with Fenechka, who bore him a son. Adheres to progressive ideas, loves poetry and music.
Kirsanov Pavel Petrovich- aristocrat, former military man. Brother of Nikolai Kirsanov and uncle of Arkady. A prominent representative of the liberals.
Bazarov Vasily Ivanovich– retired army surgeon, Evgeniy’s father. Lives on his wife's estate, is not rich. He is engaged in medical practice.
Bazarova Arina Vlasevna- Evgeniy’s mother, a pious and very superstitious woman. Poorly educated.
Odintsova Anna Sergeevna- a rich widow who sympathizes with Bazarov. But he values peace in his life more.
Lokteva Katya- sister of Anna Sergeevna, modest and quiet girl. Marries Arkady.
Other characters
Fenechka- a young woman who has a small son from Nikolai Kirsanov.
Victor Sitnikov- an acquaintance of Arkady and Bazarov.
Evdokia Kukshina- an acquaintance of Sitnikov, who shares the beliefs of nihilists.
Matvey Kolyazin- city official
Chapter 1.
The action begins in the spring of 1859. At the inn, the small landowner Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov is waiting for the arrival of his son. He is a widower, lives on a small estate and has 200 souls. In his youth, he was destined for a military career, but a minor leg injury prevented him. He studied at the university, got married and began to live in the village. 10 years after the birth of his son, his wife dies, and Nikolai Petrovich throws himself into farming and raising his son. When Arkady grew up, his father sent him to St. Petersburg to study. There he lived with him for three years and returned to his village again. He is very worried before the meeting, especially since his son is not traveling alone.
Chapter 2.
Arkady introduces his father to his friend and asks him not to stand on ceremony. Evgeny is a simple person, and you don’t have to be shy about him. Bazarov decides to ride in a tarantass, and Nikolai Petrovich and Arkady sit in the carriage.
Chapter 3.
During the journey, the father cannot calm down his joy from meeting his son; he always tries to hug him and asks about his friend. Arkady is a little shy. He tries to show his indifference and speaks in a cheeky tone. He constantly turns to Bazarov, as if he is afraid that he will hear his thoughts about the beauty of nature, that he is interested in the affairs of the estate.
Nikolai Petrovich says that the estate has not changed. Hesitating a little, he tells his son that Fenya’s girlfriend lives with him, and immediately hurries to say that she can leave if Arkady wants it. The son replies that this is not necessary. Both feel awkward and change the topic of conversation.
Looking at the desolation that reigned all around, Arkady thinks about the benefits of transformations, but he does not understand how to implement them. The conversation smoothly flows into the beauty of nature. Kirsanov Sr. is trying to recite a poem by Pushkin. He is interrupted by Evgeniy, who asks Arkady for a cigarette. Nikolai Petrovich falls silent and remains silent until the end of the journey.
Chapter 4.
At the manor's house no one met them, only an old servant and a girl who appeared for a moment. Having left the carriage, the elder Kirsanov leads the guests into the living room, where he asks the servant to serve dinner. At the door they encounter a handsome and very well-groomed elderly man. This is Nikolai Kirsanov’s older brother, Pavel Petrovich. His impeccable appearance stands out strongly against the background of the unkempt-looking Bazarov. An acquaintance took place, after which the young people went to clean up before dinner. In their absence, Pavel Petrovich begins to ask his brother about Bazarov, whose appearance he did not like.
During the meal, the conversation did not go well. Everyone said little, especially Evgeniy. After eating, everyone immediately went to their rooms. Bazarov told Arkady his impressions of the meeting with his relatives. They quickly fell asleep. The Kirsanov brothers did not sleep for a long time: Nikolai Petrovich kept thinking about his son, Pavel Petrovich looked thoughtfully at the fire, and Fenechka looked at her little sleeping son, whose father was Nikolai Kirsanov. The summary of the novel “Fathers and Sons” does not convey all the feelings that the characters experience.
Chapter 5.
Waking up earlier than everyone else, Evgeniy goes for a walk to explore the surroundings. The boys follow him and everyone goes to the swamp to catch frogs.
The Kirsanovs are going to drink tea on the veranda. Arkady goes to see Fenechka, who is said to be ill, and learns about the existence of his little brother. He rejoices and blames his father for hiding the fact of the birth of another son. Nikolai Kirsanov is moved and does not know what to answer.
The older Kirsanovs are interested in Bazarov’s absence and Arkady talks about him, says that he is a nihilist, a person who does not take principles for granted. Bazarov returned with the frogs, which he took to the experiment room.
Chapter 6.
While having morning tea together, a serious argument breaks out between Pavel Petrovich and Evgeniy. Both do not try to hide their dislike for each other. Nikolai Kirsanov tries to take the conversation in a different direction and asks Bazarov to help him with the choice of fertilizers. He agrees.
In order to somehow change Evgeny’s ridicule towards Pavel Petrovich, Arkady decides to tell his friend his story.
Chapter 7.
Pavel Petrovich was a military man. Women adored him, and men envied him. At 28, his career was just beginning and he could go far. But Kirsanov fell in love with a princess. She had no children, but had an old husband. She led the life of a flighty coquette, but Pavel fell deeply in love and could not live without her. After the separation, he suffered greatly, quit his service and followed her all over the world for 4 years.
Returning to his homeland, he tried to lead the same lifestyle as before, but, having learned about the death of his beloved, he went to the village to live with his brother, who at that time became a widower.
Chapter 8.
Pavel Petrovich does not know what to do with himself: he is present during the conversation between the manager and Nikolai Kirsanov, and comes to Fenechka to look at little Mitya.
The story of how Nikolai Kirsanov and Fenechka met: three years ago he met her in a tavern, where things were going badly for her and her mother. Kirsanov took them to the estate, fell in love with the girl, and after the death of her mother began to live with her.
Chapter 9
Bazarov meets Fenechka and the child, says that he is a doctor, and if the need arises, they can contact him without hesitation. Hearing Nikolai Kirsanov play the cello, Bazarov laughs, which causes Arkady's disapproval.
Chapter 10.
In two weeks, everyone got used to Bazarov, but they treated him differently: the servants loved him, Pavel Kirsanov hated him, and Nikolai Petrovich doubted his influence on his son. One day, he overheard a conversation between Arkady and Eugene. Bazarov called him a retired man, which greatly offended him. Nikolai complained to his brother, who decided to fight back against the young nihilist.
An unpleasant conversation occurred during evening tea. By calling one landowner a “rubbish aristocrat,” Bazarov displeased the elder Kirsanov, who began to argue that by following principles, a person benefits society. Eugene responded by accusing him of living meaninglessly, like other aristocrats. Pavel Petrovich objected that the nihilists, with their denial, are only aggravating the situation in Russia.
A serious argument broke out, which Bazarov called senseless, and the young people left. Nikolai Petrovich suddenly remembered how a long time ago, when he was just as young, he quarreled with his mother, who did not understand him. Now the same misunderstanding arose between him and his son. The parallel between fathers and children is the main thing the author draws attention to.
Chapter 11.
Before going to bed, all the inhabitants of the estate were busy with their thoughts. Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov goes to his favorite gazebo, where he remembers his wife and reflects on life. Pavel Petrovich looks at the night sky and thinks about his own things. Bazarov invites Arkady to go to the city and visit an old friend.
Chapter 12.
The friends went to the city, where they spent time in the company of a friend of the Bazarov family, Matvey Ilyin, visited the governor and received an invitation to the ball. Bazarov’s longtime acquaintance Sitnikov invited them to visit Evdokia Kukshina.
Chapter 13.
They didn’t like visiting Kukshina, because the hostess looked untidy, had meaningless conversations, asked a lot of questions, but did not expect answers to them. In conversation she constantly jumped from subject to subject. During this visit, the name of Anna Sergeevna Odintsova was heard for the first time.
Chapter 14.
Arriving at the ball, friends meet Odintsova, a sweet and attractive woman. She shows attention to Arkady, asking him about everything. He talks about his friend and Anna Sergeevna invites them to visit.
Odintsova interested Evgeny because she was different from other women, and he agreed to visit her.
Chapter 15.
Friends come to visit Odintsova. The meeting made an impression on Bazarov and he, unexpectedly, became embarrassed.
Odintsova's story makes an impression on the reader. The girl's father lost the game and died in the village, leaving his two daughters a ruined estate. Anna was not at a loss and took up housekeeping. I met my future husband and lived with him for 6 years. Then he died, leaving his young wife his fortune. She did not like city society and most often lived on an estate.
Bazarov behaved differently than always, which greatly surprised his friend. He talked a lot, talked about medicine and botany. Anna Sergeevna willingly supported the conversation, since she understood the sciences. She treated Arkady like a younger brother. At the end of the conversation, she invited the young people to her estate.
Chapter 16.
In Nikolskoye, Arkady and Bazarov met other inhabitants. Anna's sister Katya was shy and played the piano. Anna Sergeevna talked a lot with Evgeniy and walked with him in the garden. Arkady, who liked her, seeing her passion for her friend, became a little jealous. A feeling arose between Bazarov and Odintsova.
Chapter 17.
While living on the estate, Bazarov began to change. He fell in love, despite the fact that he considered this feeling a romantic billbird. He could not turn away from her and imagined her in his arms. The feeling was mutual, but they did not want to open up to each other.
Bazarov meets his father’s manager, who says that his parents are waiting for him, they are worried. Evgeniy announces his departure. In the evening, a conversation takes place between Bazar and Anna Sergeevna, where they try to understand what each of them dreams of getting from life.
Chapter 18.
Bazarov confesses his love to Odintsova. In response, he hears: “You didn’t understand me,” and feels extremely awkward. Anna Sergeevna believes that without Evgeny she will be calmer and does not accept his confession. Bazarov decides to leave.
Chapter 19.
There was a not entirely pleasant conversation between Odintsova and Bazarov. He told her that he was leaving, he could stay only on one condition, but it was unrealistic and Anna Sergeevna would never love him.
The next day, Arkady and Bazarov leave for Evgeny’s parents. Saying goodbye, Odintsova expresses hope for a meeting. Arkady notices that his friend has changed a lot.
Chapter 20.
They were received well in the house of the elder Bazarovs. The parents were very happy, but knowing that their son did not approve of such a manifestation of feelings, they tried to remain more restrained. During lunch, the father talked about how he runs the household, and the mother just looked at her son.
After dinner, Evgeniy refused to talk to his father, citing fatigue. However, he did not fall asleep until the morning. In the novel "Fathers and Sons" the description of relations between generations is shown better than in other works.
Chapter 21
Bazarov spent very little time at his parents’ house, as he was bored. He believed that with their attention they were interfering with his work. There was an argument between friends that almost escalated into a quarrel. Arkady tried to prove that it was impossible to live like this, Bazarov did not agree with his opinion.
Parents, having learned about Evgeniy’s decision to leave, were very upset, but tried not to show their feelings, especially his father. He reassured his son that if he had to leave, then he had to do it. After leaving, the parents were left alone and were very worried that their son had abandoned them.
Chapter 22.
On the way, Arkady decided to take a detour to Nikolskoye. Friends were greeted very coldly. Anna Sergeevna did not come down for a long time, and when she appeared, she had a dissatisfied expression on her face and from her speech it was clear that they were not welcome.
The elder Kirsanovs' estate was delighted with them. Bazarov began to engage in wholesale and his own frogs. Arkady helped his father manage the estate, but constantly thought about the Odintsovs. Finally, having found correspondence between his mothers and Odintsova’s, he finds an excuse to go visit them. Arkady is afraid that he will not be welcome, but he alone was greeted warmly and cordially.
Chapter 23.
Bazarov understands the reason for Arkady’s departure and devotes himself completely to work. He retires and no longer argues with the inhabitants of the house. He treats everyone badly, making an exception only for Fenechka.
One day in the gazebo they talked a lot, and, deciding to test their thoughts, Bazarov kissed her on the lips. This was seen by Pavel Petrovich, who silently went into the house. Bazarov felt awkward, his conscience awoke.
Chapter 24.
Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is offended by Bazarov's behavior and challenges him to a duel. Confess to home in true reasons they don’t want to and say that they shot because of political differences. Evgeny wounds Kirsanov in the leg.
Having completely ruined his relationship with the elder Kirsanovs, Bazarov leaves for his parents, but on the way he turns to Nikolskoye.
Arkady becomes more and more interested in Anna Sergeevna's sister, Katya.
Chapter 25.
Katya talks to Arkady and convinces him that without his friend’s influence he is completely different, sweet and kind. They try to declare their love to each other, but Arkady gets scared and hurriedly leaves. In his room he finds Bazarov, who has arrived, who told him about what happened in Maryino in his absence. Having met with Odintsova, Bazarov admits his mistakes. They tell each other that they want to remain just friends.
Chapter 26.
Arkady confesses his love to Katya, asks for her hand in marriage and she agrees to become his wife. Bazarov says goodbye to his friend, angrily accusing him of being unsuitable for decisive matters. Evgeniy goes to his parents' estate.
Chapter 27.
Living in parental home, Bazarov doesn’t know what to do. Then he begins to help his father, treating the sick. While opening up a peasant who died of typhus, he accidentally injures himself and becomes infected with typhus. A fever begins, he asks to send for Odintsova. Anna Sergeevna arrives and sees a completely different person. Before his death, Evgeniy tells her about his real feelings, and then dies.
Chapter 28.
Six months have passed. Two weddings took place on the same day, Arkady and Katya and Nikolai Petrovich and Fenya. Pavel Petrovich went abroad. Anna Sergeevna also got married, becoming a companion not out of love, but out of conviction.
Life went on and only two old people constantly spent time at their son’s grave, where two Christmas trees grew.
Given brief retelling“Fathers and Sons” will help you understand the main idea and essence of the work; for deeper knowledge, we recommend that you read the full version.
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IVAN SERGEEVICH TURGENEV
(1818–1883)
NOVEL "FATHERS AND CHILDREN"
IN TABLES
The history of the creation of the novel “Fathers and Sons”
The idea appeared in the summer of 1860. In August 1861, the novel was completed.
In 1862 it was published as a separate publication. Turgenev dedicates it
V. G. Belinsky. The dedication had a programmatic and polemical tone.
The release of the novel became a public event. Criticism reacted vigorously to the novel; many articles and reviews appeared that were of a sharp polemical nature. The most famous reviews are articles
M. Antonovich “Asmodeus of our time”, D. Pisarev “Bazarov”,
N. Strakhova “Fathers and Sons” of Turgenev.” They also wrote about the novel
F. M. Dostoevsky, A. I. Herzen, M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin, N. S. Leskov.
Conflicts of the novel
External
Interior
Confrontation between different generations.
It manifests itself in the relationships between Pavel Petrovich and Bazarov, Nikolai Petrovich and Arkady, Bazarov and his parents.
The struggle between Bazarov’s worldview and feelings, the inapplicability of his theory in practice.
Plot of the novel
Chapter 1.
Exposition of the Kirsanovs.
The life story of Nikolai Petrovich, awaiting the arrival of his son Arkady
Chapters 2–3.
Bazarov's exposition
A portrait and first characteristics of the main character of the novel are given - Evgeny Vasilyevich Bazarov, Arkady's friend, who came with him.“Wonderful guy, so simple” (Arkady about Bazarov)
Chapters 4–11.
The beginning of an external conflict. Development of action.
Bazarov meets Arkady's uncle, Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov.
An ideological polemic unfolds between the characters, the irreconcilability of their views turns into contempt on the part of Bazarov and hatred on the part of Pavel Petrovich.
Chapters 12–13.
Development preparation
The struggle of Bazarov’s feelings and worldview, a parody of “provincial nihilists.”
Chapter 14.
Tie internal
conflict.
At the governor's ball, Bazarov meets Anna Sergeevna Odintsova.
Chapters 15–17.
Development of action
Bazarov and Arkady's trip to Nikolskoye, Bazarov's unexpected feelings.
Chapters 18–19.
Climax
internal conflict.
The hero's explanation with Odintsova, Bazarov's departure.
Chapters 20–21.
Worsening internal
conflict.
A visit by friends to Bazarov’s parental home, a trip to Nikolskoye, return to Maryino.
Chapters 22–23.
Development of external
conflict.
Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich collide again in their interest in Fenechka, a girl from the people who gave birth to a child for Nikolai Petrovich. Fenechka reminds Pavel Petrovich of his former love, Nelly, while Bazarov, through courting Fenechka, is trying to assert himself after his failure with Odintsova.
Chapter 24.
Climax
and decoupling of external
conflict.
A duel occurs between Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich, as a result of which Pavel Petrovich is slightly wounded, and Bazarov leaves Maryino. The ideological struggle fades into the background; personal feelings dominate in the relationships between the characters.
Chapters 25–26.
Bazarov goes through the city *** to Nikolskoye.
He breaks off relations with the Kirsanovs, with Arkady, his only friend, with Odintsova.
Chapter 27.
Worsening
and permission of internal
conflict
In the parental home, where memories of childhood are alive, natural, spontaneous feelings appear - something that Bazarov tried to suppress in himself, armed with the “latest theories.” During one of the operations, Bazarov becomes infected with typhus through a cut in his finger. With the death of the hero, an internal conflict that cannot be resolved in life comes to an end.
Chapter 28.
Epilogue.
Six months after Bazarov’s death, the weddings of Arkady and Odintsova’s sister, Katya Lokteva, and Nikolai Petrovich and Fenechka took place. Pavel Petrovich went abroad. Anna Sergeevna Odintsova married “not out of love, but out of conviction.” Bazarov's grave is visited by his old parents.
Evgeny Vasilievich Bazarov
Bazarov's Nihilism
Bazarov calls himself a nihilist (from lat.nihil - nothing).
Bazarov's complex of beliefs is not an artistic exaggeration; his image reflects characteristic features representatives of democratic youth of the 1860s.
Nihilists deny their contemporary social order, oppose admiration for any authorities, reject principles taken for granted, deny art and beauty, and explain any feelings, including love, physiologically.
“We guessed that chatting, just chatting about our ulcers, is not worth the effort, that it only leads to vulgarity and doctrinaire; we saw that our wise men, the so-called progressive people and exposers, are no good, that we are engaged in nonsense, talking about some kind of art, unconscious creativity, about parliamentarism, about the legal profession and God knows what, when it comes to the urgent bread, when the grossest superstition is strangling us, when all our joint-stock companies are bursting solely because there is a shortage of honest people, when the very freedom that the government is fussing about will hardly benefit us, because our peasant is happy to rob himself in order to get drunk on dope in a tavern.”
“Nature is not a temple, but a workshop, and man is a worker in it.”
“A decent chemist is twenty times more useful than any poet.”
“The important thing is that two and two make four, and the rest is all nonsense.”
“Every person must educate himself - well, at least like me, for example...”
“We act on what we recognize as useful. At the present time, the most useful thing is denial - we deny.”
“We break because we are strong.”
“But it’s necessary to build.
- This is no longer our business... First we need to clear the place.”
“So what? Are you acting, or what? Are you going to take action?
- Bazarov didn’t answer anything.”
Dynamics of Bazarov's image
At the beginning of the novel, Bazarov appears as a person confident in the correctness and indisputability of his view of life. However, gradually living life makes adjustments to his worldview.
Turgenev leads Bazarov through the tests of love and death - two ontological situations through which, according to Turgenev, only true knowledge of life is possible. (Ontology (from Greek.ун ( untos ) - existing andlogos - doctrine) - a section of philosophy that studies the foundations of existence, the world order, its structure).
Bazarov's initial self-confidence disappears, his inner life becomes more and more complex and contradictory.
The “blinders” of nihilism are pulled aside, and life in all its complexity appears before the hero.
Before his death, Bazarov becomes simpler and softer: he does not resist when his father insists on confession before his death, asks Odintsova to “caress” his parents. A complete reassessment of values takes place in the hero’s mind:
“And I also thought: I’ll screw up a lot of things, I won’t die, no matter what!” There is a task, because I am a giant! And now the giant’s whole task is to die decently.”
Criticism's perception of Bazarov's image
Two points of view
M. Antonovich (Sovremennik magazine). Articles “Asmodeus of our time”, “Mistakes”, “ Contemporary novels»
He interpreted the image of Bazarov as a caricature of modern youth in the image of a “glutton, talker and cynic”
D. Pisarev “Bazarov”
Reveals the historical significance of the type depicted by Turgenev. Believed that Russia was modern stage its development requires people like Bazarov: they are critical of everything that has not been verified by them personal experience, accustomed to relying only on themselves, have reason and will
Novel character system
Two camps
"Fathers"
"Children"
Younger generation
Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov;
Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov;
Bazarov's parents
(Vasily Ivanovich and Arina Vlasevna)
Evgeny Vasilievich Bazarov;
Arkady Nikolaevich Kirsanov;
Kukshina Avdotya Nikitishna;
Victor Sitnikov
Bazarov's doubles
Sitnikov
Kukshina
He calls himself an “old acquaintance” of Bazarov and his student.
Sitnikov’s commitment to new ideas is ostentatious: he is dressed in a Slavophile Hungarian dress, his business cards, in addition to French, there is also a Russian text written in Slavic script.
Sitnikov repeats Bazarov's thoughts, vulgarizing and distorting them.
In the epilogue Sitnikov“hangs around in St. Petersburg and, according to his assurances, continues the “work” of Bazarov.<…>His father still pushes him around, and his wife considers him a fool... and a writer.”
She considers herself one of the “emancipated ladies.” She is “concerned” with the “women’s issue”, physiology, embryology, chemistry, education, etc. She is cheeky, vulgar, stupid.
In the epilogue:“She is now in Heidelberg and is no longer studying natural sciences, but architecture, in which, according to her, she has discovered new laws.
She still hangs out with students, especially young Russian physicists and chemists,<…>who, at first surprising the naive German professors with their sober view of things, subsequently
surprise the same professors with their complete inaction and absolute laziness.”
The doubles are parodies of Bazarov and reveal the weaknesses of his maximalist worldview.
For Sitnikov and Kukshina, fashionable ideas are just a way to stand out.
They contrast with Bazarov, for whom nihilism is a consciously chosen position.
Anna
Sergeevna
Odintsova
A young beautiful woman, a rich widow.
Odintsova's father was a famous card sharper. She received an excellent upbringing in St. Petersburg, raising her younger sister, Katya, whom she sincerely loves, but hides her feelings.
Odintsova is smart, reasonable, and self-confident. She exudes calmness and aristocracy.
Most of all she values peace, stability and comfort. Bazarov arouses her interest, gives food to her inquisitive mind, but her feelings for him do not lead her out of her usual balance.
She is incapable of strong passion.
Fenechka
A young woman of “ignoble origin” whom Nikolai Petrovich loves. Fenechka is kind, selfless, simple-minded, honest, open, she sincerely and deeply loves Nikolai Petrovich and her son Mitya. The main thing in her life is family, so Bazarov’s persecution and Nikolai Petrovich’s suspicions offend her.
Kate
Lokteva
Younger sister of Anna Sergeevna Odintsova.
Sensitive nature - loves nature, music, but at the same time shows strength of character.
Katya does not understand Bazarov, she is even afraid of him; Arkady is much closer to her. She tells Arkady about Bazarov:“He is predatory, and you and I are tame.”
Katya is the embodiment of the ideal family life, which Arkady secretly strived for, thanks to her, Arkady returns to his fathers’ camp.
Events described in I. S. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” on the eve of the peasant reform. The progressive public was divided into liberals and revolutionary democrats. Some welcomed the reform, while others were against such reform.
Evgeny Bazarov appears at the center of the novel. And Turgenev’s novel begins with Bazarov’s arrival at the Kirsanovs’ estate. Bazarov was the son of a doctor, he also went through a harsh school, then studied at the university on pennies, was interested in various sciences, knew botany, agricultural technology, geology well, never refuses medical care to people, in general he is proud of himself. But he aroused rejection and interest among people with his appearance: tall, old cloak, long hair. The author also emphasized his intelligence, pointing to his skull and face, expressing self-confidence. But the Kirsanovs were the best of the nobles. Bazarov's views evoke different feelings in them.
The characterization of Bazarov in the novel “Fathers and Sons” sounds in one word: he is a nihilist, he clearly defends his position of denying everything. He speaks poorly about art. Nature is not an object of admiration for the hero; for him it is not a temple, but a workshop, and man is a worker in it. And Bazarov calls love an unnecessary feeling. Bazarov's views are not typical for representatives of the radical nobility.
The author takes his hero through many trials, as well as through trials of love. When he had a meeting with Odintsova, Bazarov was sure that there was no love and there would not be any. He looks at women indifferently. For him, Anna Sergeevna is only a representative of one of the categories of mammals. He said that her rich body was worthy of the theater, but he did not think about her as a person. Then, unexpectedly, a feeling flares up for him, which puts him into a state of absent-mindedness. The longer he was visiting Madame Odintsova, the closer he became to her, the more attached he became to her.
A person who strongly believed in his theory of nihilism, accepting it 100%, breaks down at the first real life situation. True love overtakes the hero of Bazarov's novel and he does not know what to do or how to act correctly. He does not lose his pride because of unrequited feelings, he simply steps aside.
Bazarov's attitude towards others is different. He tries to captivate Arkady with his theory. Kirsanov hates Pavel Petrovich, and considers Nikolai Petrovich a kind, but already obsolete person. A feeling of internal confrontation with himself grows inside him. Trying to build his life on the basis of nihilism, he cannot subordinate it to all these dry canons.
Denying the existence of honor, he, at the same time, accepts the challenge to a duel, because he considers it right. Despising the principle of nobility, he actually behaves in a noble manner, which Pavel Kirsanov himself admits. Actions that require a certain analysis frighten Bazarov and he does not always understand what to do.
No matter how Bazarov tries, he cannot hide his tender feelings for his parents. This is especially evident when Bazarov’s death approaches. Saying goodbye to Odintsova, he asks not to forget the old people. The realization that Bazarov is a nihilist, but he believes in the existence of love, is painful and painful for him.
