Fathers and sons are in charge. Turgenev fathers and sons

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. Uneducated.

Odintsova Anna Sergeevna- a rich widow who sympathizes with Bazarov. But he values ​​peace in his life more.

Lokteva Katya- Anna Sergeevna’s sister, a 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 touched and doesn't know what to say.

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 carried 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 took place 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. An old acquaintance of Bazarov, 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 mentioned 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 suddenly 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 the 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, as 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. They don’t want to admit to their family the true reasons 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 his parents' house, Bazarov does not 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 the grave of their son, where two Christmas trees grew.

This brief retelling of “Fathers and Sons” will help you understand the main idea and essence of the work; for deeper knowledge, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the full version.

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The novel became a landmark for its time, and the image of the protagonist Yevgeny Bazarov was perceived by young people as an example to follow. Such ideals as uncompromisingness, lack of reverence for authorities and old truths, the priority of the useful over the beautiful, were perceived by the people of that time and were reflected in Bazarov's worldview.

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  Actions in the novel take place in the summer of 1859, that is, on the eve of the peasant reform of 1861.

  Evgeny Bazarov and Arkady Kirsanov come to Maryino and spend some time staying with the Kirsanovs (father Nikolai Petrovich and uncle Pavel Petrovich). Tensions with the elder Kirsanovs force Bazarov to leave Maryino and go to the provincial town ***. Arkady goes with him. Bazarov and Arkady spend time in the company of local “progressive” youth - Kukshina and Sitnikov. Then, at the governor’s ball, they meet Odintsova. Bazarov and Arkady go to Nikolskoye, Odintsova’s estate, and Mrs. Kukshina, wounded by them, remains in the city. Bazarov and Arkady, infatuated with Odintsova, spend some time in Nikolskoye. After an unsuccessful declaration of love, Bazarov, who frightened Odintsova, is forced to leave. He goes to his parents (Vasily and Arina Bazarov), and Arkady goes with him. Bazarov and Arkady are visiting his parents. Tired of the manifestations of parental love, Bazarov leaves his discouraged father and mother, and together with Arkady he goes back to Maryino. On the way, they accidentally stop at Nikolskoye, but, having met a cold reception, they return to Maryino. Bazarov lives for some time in Maryino. A surge of passion spills out into a kiss with Fenechka, the mother of Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov’s illegitimate son, and because of her he fights in a duel with Pavel Petrovich. Arkady, having returned to Maryino, leaves alone for Nikolskoye and stays with Odintsova, becoming more and more carried away by her sister Katya. Having completely ruined relations with the older Kirsanovs, Bazarov also goes to Nikolskoye. Bazarov apologizes to Odintsova for his feelings. Odintsova accepts the apology, and Bazarov spends several days in Nikolskoye. Arkady declares his love to Katya. Having said goodbye to Arkady forever, Bazarov returns to his parents. Living with his parents, Bazarov helps his father treat the sick and dies from blood poisoning, accidentally cutting himself during an autopsy of a man who died of typhus. Before his death, he sees Odintsova for the last time, who comes to him at his request. Arkady Kirsanov marries Katya, and Nikolai Petrovich marries Fenechka. Pavel Petrovich is leaving abroad forever.

  Main characters

  • Evgeny Vasilievich Bazarov- nihilist, student, studying to become a doctor. In nihilism, he is Arkady's mentor, protests against the liberal ideas of the Kirsanov brothers and the conservative views of his parents. Revolutionary-democrat, commoner. By the end of the novel, he falls in love with Odintsova, changing his nihilistic views on love. Love turned out to be a test for Bazarov, he understands that there is an obvious romantic in him - he even declares his love to Odintsova. At the end of the book he works as a village doctor. Opening up a man who died of typhus, he himself becomes infected through carelessness. After death, a religious ceremony is performed over him.
  • Nikolay Petrovich Kirsanov- landowner, liberal, father of Arkady, widower. Loves music and poetry. Interested in progressive ideas, including in agriculture. At the beginning of the novel, he is ashamed of his love for Fenechka, a woman from the common people, but then marries her.
  • Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov- Nikolai Petrovich’s older brother, a retired officer, an aristocrat, proud, self-confident, an ardent supporter of liberalism. He often argues with Bazarov about love, nature, aristocracy, art, and science. Lonely. In his youth he experienced tragic love. He sees in Fenechka Princess R., with whom he was in love. He hates Bazarov and challenges him to a duel, in which he is slightly wounded in the thigh.
  • Arkady Nikolaevich Kirsanov- son of Nikolai Petrovich’s first wife, Maria. Recent candidate of science at St. Petersburg University and friend of Bazarov. He becomes a nihilist under the influence of Bazarov, but then abandons these ideas.
  • Vasily Ivanovich Bazarov- Bazarov’s father, a retired army surgeon. Not rich. Manages his wife's estate. Moderately educated and enlightened, he feels that rural life has left him isolated from modern ideas. He adheres to generally conservative views, is religious, and loves his son immensely.
  • Arina Vlasevna- Bazarov's mother. It is she who owns the village of the Bazarovs and 15 souls of serfs. Devout follower of Orthodoxy. Very superstitious. She is suspicious and sentimentally sensitive. She loves her son and is deeply concerned about his renunciation of faith.
  • Anna Sergeevna Odintsova- a rich widow who welcomes nihilistic friends to her estate. He sympathizes with Bazarov, but after his confession he does not reciprocate. Considers a calm life without worries to be more important than anything, including more important than love.
  • Katerina (Ekaterina Sergeevna Lokteva) - the sister of Anna Sergeevna Odintsova, a quiet girl, invisible in the shadow of her sister, plays the clavichord. Arkady spends a lot of time with her, languishing in love with Anna. But later he realizes his love for Katya. At the end of the novel, Catherine marries Arkady.

  Other heroes

  • Victor Sitnikov- an acquaintance of Bazarov and Arkady, an adherent of nihilism. Belongs to that category of "progressives" who reject any authority, chasing the fashion for "free thinking". He really doesn’t know anything and doesn’t know how, but in his “nihilism” he leaves both Arkady and Bazarov far behind him. Bazarov openly despises Sitnikova.
  • Evdoksiya Kukshina- an acquaintance of Sitnikov, who, like him, is a pseudo-adherent of nihilism.
  • Fenechka(Fedosya Nikolaevna) - daughter of Nikolai Petrovich’s housekeeper, Arina Savishna. After the death of her mother, she became the master's mistress and the mother of his child. It becomes an occasion for a duel between Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, since Bazarov, finding Fenechka alone, kisses her tightly, and Pavel Petrovich becomes an accidental witness to the kiss, who is outraged to the core by the act of "this hairy one", he is especially indignant also because and he himself is not completely indifferent to his brother’s beloved. In the end, Fenechka became the wife of Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov.
  • Dunyasha- maid under Fenechka.
  • Peter- servant of the Kirsanovs.
  • Princess R. (Nellie)- beloved of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov.
  • Matvey Ilyich Kolyazin- an official in the City ***.
  • Sergei Nikolaevich Loktev- father of Anna Sergeevna Odintsova and Katerina. The famous swindler and gambler, after 15 years of living in Moscow and St. Petersburg, “lost to dust” and was forced to settle in the village.
  • Princess Avdotya Stepanovna- Anna Sergeevna Odintsova’s aunt, an angry and arrogant old woman. After the death of her father, Anna Sergeevna settled her with her. At the end of the novel she dies, “forgotten on the very day of death.”
  • Timofeich- clerk of Vasily Ivanovich Bazarov, former uncle of Evgeny Bazarov. A shabby and agile old man with faded yellow hair.

  Film adaptations of the novel

  • 1915 - Fathers and Sons (dir.

  The novel “Fathers and Sons,” a landmark for its time, which was written by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev in the second half of the 19th century, has not lost its relevance to this day. At one time, the image of Yevgeny Bazarov, who is the main character of the novel “Fathers and Sons,” was perceived as a model worth imitating, especially for young people. Now, considering the question of what the novel “Fathers and Sons” is about, we will only briefly mention Bazarov’s personal characteristics, focusing primarily on the plot.

  The plot of the novel "Fathers and Sons"

  Evgeny Bazarov embodied a whole bunch of ideals that can be clearly seen in his worldview. He was uncompromising, did not bow to authoritative people and their principles, did not follow previously established truths, giving priority to concepts that were useful in his opinion, and not beautiful.

  So, in order to clearly show what the novel “Fathers and Sons” is about, we will now look directly at the events and main characters. It is important to remember that the peasant reform of 1861 played a significant role in Russian history, and the events described by Turgenev unfold just on the eve of this reform - in the summer of 1859. Let's begin to analyze the plot of the novel "Fathers and Sons".

  Evgeny Bazarov and Arkady Kirsanov visit Maryino to stay briefly with the elder Kirsanovs - this is Arkady's father (Nikolai Petrovich) and uncle (father's brother Pavel Petrovich). However, Bazarov does not get along with them, and soon decides to leave. He goes, accompanied by Arkady, to a provincial town. The friends are happy to spend time in the company of Kukshina and Sitnikova, who belong to the ranks of progressive youth. And a little later they are invited to the governor’s ball, where they meet Odintsova.

  Having left for the estate of Odintsova, with whom Bazarov and Arkady are already carried away, they have fun in Nikolskoye, but Bazarov makes an unsuccessful attempt to explain his feelings to Odintsova, and he has to retreat. Bazarov has parents - Vasily and Arina, and it is to them that Bazarov goes again with Arkady. After a while, Bazarov gets bored of sitting in his parents’ house, so they, stopping at Nikolskoye (where they are coldly greeted), go to Maryino.

  Nikolai Petrovich, the father of Arkady Kirsanov, has an illegitimate son born from Fenechka, a girl who is kept in the Kirsanovs’ house. One day, out of boredom and incomprehensible passion, Bazarov kissed a young woman, Fenechka, but this scene was seen by his father’s brother Pavel Petrovich, which is why he and Bazarov had a duel. Arkady decides to return to Nikolskoye, where he falls in love with Odintsova’s sister Katya. Bazarov also comes there a little later, apologizing for his confession to Odintsova, but does not stay long, again deciding to live with his parents.

  There, Bazarov, helping his father treat the sick, becomes infected with typhus and dies, having met Odintsova before his death. Arkady and Katya get married, Arkady's uncle Pavel Petrovich leaves his homeland, going abroad, and his father, after all, marries Fenechka.

  In this article we only looked at what the novel “Fathers and Sons” is about and briefly saw the characteristics of Bazarov. You can read more about the main characters of the novel and its analysis in other articles on our blog. We hope that you also found the plot of the novel “Fathers and Sons” useful.

  Illustrations for the novel “Fathers and Sons”

  I. S. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” is dedicated to the state of mind in Russia in the mid-19th century, when, after a humiliating defeat in the Crimean War, on the eve of the peasant reform, the enlightened part of society was looking for ways for Russia to maintain its place among the great civilized states of the world

  Turgenev wrote the novel “Fathers and Sons” throughout 1861. Published it in the second issue of the literary and socio-political magazine “Russian Messenger” in February 1862

  The main characters of the novel

  • Evgeniy Bazarov – medical student
  • Arkady Kirsanov is a recent student. Bazarov's friend
  • Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov - landowner, father of Arkady
  • Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov - brother of Nikolai Kirsanov and uncle of Arkady
  • Vasily Ivanovich Bazarov – Evgeny’s father, doctor
  • Arina Vlasevna Bazarova - Evgeniy's mother
  • Anna Sergeevna Odintsova - a rich widow, Bazarov's love
  • Katya Odintsova - sister of Anna Sergeevna

  The action takes place in 1859 on the noble estates of the Kirsanovs and Bazarovs, where two young men Arakdiy Kirsanov and Evgeny Bazarov alternately come to stay with their parents. In conversations and disputes between the older and younger generations of nobles, a fundamental dissimilarity in their positions and views on reality is revealed. The exponent of the “fathers” point of view is Arkady Kirsanov’s uncle Pavel Petrovich, his opponent is Evgeny Bazarov. Pavel Petrovich is a liberal. His beliefs are based on the ideals of respect for human rights, freedom, honor, and dignity. He believes in progress, the progressive movement of history from bad to better, and calls for gradual transformations of society that will turn Russia into a truly civilized country. Evgeny Bazarov is a nihilist, that is, a person of revolutionary sentiments. He argues that in order to carry out just reforms, the existing order must be completely destroyed, while denying not only slow, careful reformation, but also everything that is dear to the civilization of the “fathers”: love, poetry, music, the beauty of nature, such moral categories as duty, right, obligation

  “Your father is a good fellow,” said Bazarov, ... “The other day, I see, he is reading Pushkin, ... please explain to him that this is no good. After all, he is not a boy: it’s time to quit this nonsense “

  “I already told you, uncle, that we do not recognize authorities,” Arkady intervened. “We act because of what we recognize as useful,” said Bazarov. - At the present time, denial is the most useful thing - we deny. - All? - All. - How? not only art, poetry... but also... it’s scary to say... “That’s it,” Bazarov repeated with inexpressible calm. Pavel Petrovich stared at him. He did not expect this, and Arkady even blushed with pleasure. “But excuse me,” Nikolai Petrovich spoke. - You deny everything, or, to put it more precisely, you destroy everything... But you also need to build. “This is no longer our business... First we need to clear the place” (Chapter 10)

  There is also a love line in the novel. Bazarov meets Anna Sergeevna Odintsova, with whom he falls in love, confesses this to her, but does not receive reciprocity. Touching and outrageous in the novel are the pages where Bazarov’s parents are described, their love for their son and his indifference to them.

  Nihilist, nihilism (lat. nihil) - the denial of all norms, principles, laws - the concepts that Turgenev introduced into the novel have become household names in Russian society

  — “I also had to see a frightened, elderly, good-natured official who suspected her old husband based only on the fact that he did not go to make congratulatory visits to friends at Easter, reasonably saying that at his age it is already hard to chatter on visits... But his wife, frightened by rumors about nihilists, she was so alarmed that she kicked out of her house her nephew, a poor student, to whom she had previously been disposed... for fear that her husband would finally turn into a nihilist from cohabitation with a young man."

  — “Some young ladies frightened their parents with what would happen if they were not given entertainment, that is, taking them to balls, theaters and sewing outfits for them. To avoid shame, parents went into debt and fulfilled the whims of their daughters.”

  — “In one family, a daughter wanted to study, and the mother, fearing that she would not succeed, rebelled against this; discord arose, and it ended with the mother, after a heated scene, driving her daughter out of the house. The girl was lost for six months, running around in the cold for penny lessons in bad shoes and a cold coat and was seized with consumption. When the news reached the mother that her daughter was hopelessly ill, she rushed to her..., but it was too late - the daughter died, and the mother soon went mad with grief."

  — “Cut hair, the absence of a crinoline or a lambskin hat on a woman’s head created a sensation in the public and horrified many. Such a woman could not escape the contemptuous glances and ridicule accompanied by the nickname (Panaeva “Memoirs”)

  The novel “Fathers and Sons” in society

  “I don’t remember that any literary work caused so much noise and aroused so many conversations as Turgenev’s story “Fathers and Sons”(Panaeva)
  — According to some readers, Turgenev ridiculed the “nihilists.”
  “This general, as soon as he entered, already started talking about “Fathers and Sons”: Well done writer; he deftly defamed these shaggy gentlemen and learned whores! Well done!.. He came up with a name for them - nihilists! It simply means worm!.. Well done "Let him write another book about these nasty worms that have spread among us!"

  — For others, Bazarov became a role model.
  “our entire young generation, with its aspirations and ideas, can recognize itself in the characters in this novel” (D. I. Pisarev).

  “Soon after the appearance of Fathers and Sons, Turgenev came from abroad to reap laurels. Admirers almost carried him in their arms, organized dinners and evenings in his honor, gave speeches of gratitude, etc. I think that not a single Russian writer received so many ovations during his lifetime" (Panaeva)

  Still from the film “Fathers and Sons” (1983)

  May 20, 1859 Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov, a forty-three-year-old but already middle-aged 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 his intended military career did not materialize (he broke his leg in his youth and remained “lame” for the rest of his life). Nikolai Petrovich married the daughter of a lowly official early and was happy in his marriage. To his deep grief, his wife died in 1847. He devoted all his energy and time to raising his son, even in St. Petersburg he lived with him and tried to get closer to his son’s friends and students. Lately he has been intensively busy transforming his estate.

  The happy moment of the date arrives. However, Arkady does not appear alone: ​​with him is a tall, ugly and self-confident young man, an aspiring doctor who agreed to stay with the Kirsanovs. His name, as he attests to himself, is Evgeniy Vasilyevich Bazarov.

  The conversation between father and son does not go well at first. Nikolai Petrovich is embarrassed by Fenechka, the girl whom he keeps with him and with whom he already has a child. Arkady, in a condescending tone (this slightly offends his father), tries to smooth out the awkwardness that has arisen.

  Pavel Petrovich, their father’s elder brother, is waiting for them at home. Pavel Petrovich and Bazarov immediately begin to feel mutual antipathy. But the yard boys and servants willingly obey the guest, although he does not even think about seeking their favor.

  The very next day, a verbal skirmish occurs between Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich, and it was initiated by Kirsanov Sr. Bazarov does not want to polemicize, but still speaks out on the main points of his beliefs. People, according to his ideas, strive for one or another goal because they experience different “sensations” and want to achieve “benefits.” Bazarov is sure that chemistry is more important than art, and in science the practical result is most important. He is even proud of his lack of “artistic sense” and believes that there is no need to study the psychology of an individual: “One human specimen is enough to judge all others.” For Bazarov, there is not a single “resolution in our modern life... that would not cause complete and merciless denial.” He has a high opinion of his own abilities, but assigns a non-creative role to his generation - “first we need to clear the place.”

  To Pavel Petrovich, the “nihilism” professed by Bazarov and Arkady, who imitates him, seems to be a daring and unfounded teaching that exists “in the void.”

  Arkady tries to somehow smooth out the tension that has arisen and tells his friend the life story of Pavel Petrovich. He was a brilliant and promising officer, a favorite of women, until he met the socialite Princess R*. This passion completely changed the existence of Pavel Petrovich, and when their romance ended, he was completely devastated. From the past he retains only the sophistication of his costume and manners and his preference for everything English.

  Bazarov’s views and behavior irritate Pavel Petrovich so much that he again attacks the guest, but he quite easily and even condescendingly breaks down all the enemy’s “syllogisms” aimed at protecting traditions. Nikolai Petrovich strives to soften the dispute, but he cannot agree with Bazarov’s radical statements in everything, although he convinces himself that he and his brother are already behind the times.

  The young people go to the provincial town, where they meet with Bazarov’s “student”, the son of a tax farmer, Sitnikov. Sitnikov takes them to visit the “emancipated” lady, Kukshina. Sitnikov and Kukshina belong to that category of “progressives” who reject any authority, chasing the fashion for “free thinking.” They don’t really know or know how to do anything, but in their “nihilism” they leave both Arkady and Bazarov far behind them. The latter openly despises Sitnikova, and with Kukshina he “is more interested in champagne.”

  Arkady introduces his friend to Odintsova, a young, beautiful and rich widow, in whom Bazarov immediately becomes interested. This interest is by no means platonic. Bazarov cynically says to Arkady: “There is profit...”

  It seems to Arkady that he is in love with Odintsova, but this feeling is feigned, while mutual attraction arises between Bazarov and Odintsova, and she invites young people to stay with her.

  At Anna Sergeevna's house, guests meet her younger sister Katya, who behaves stiffly. And Bazarov feels out of place, he began to get irritated in the new place and “looked angry.” Arkady is also uneasy, and he seeks solace in Katya’s company.

  The feeling instilled in Bazarov by Anna Sergeevna is new to him; he, who so despised all manifestations of “romanticism,” suddenly discovers “romanticism in himself.” Bazarov explains to Odintsova, and although she did not immediately free herself from his embrace, however, after thinking, she comes to the conclusion that “peace is better than anything in the world.”

  Not wanting to become a slave to his passion, Bazarov goes to his father, a district doctor who lives nearby, and Odintsova does not keep the guest. On the road, Bazarov sums up what happened and says: “...It is better to break stones on the pavement than to allow a woman to take possession of even the tip of a finger. This is all nonsense."

  Bazarov’s father and mother can’t get enough of their beloved “Enyusha,” and he gets bored in their company. After just a couple of days, he leaves his parents’ shelter, returning to the Kirsanov estate.

  Out of heat and boredom, Bazarov turns his attention to Fenechka and, finding her alone, kisses the young woman deeply. An accidental witness to the kiss is Pavel Petrovich, who is deeply outraged by the act of “this hairy guy.” He is especially indignant also because it seems to him that Fenechka has something in common with Princess R*.

  According to his moral convictions, Pavel Petrovich challenges Bazarov to a duel. Feeling awkward and realizing that he is compromising his principles, Bazarov agrees to shoot with Kirsanov Sr. (“From a theoretical point of view, a duel is absurd; well, from a practical point of view, this is a different matter”).

  Bazarov slightly wounds the enemy and himself gives him first aid. Pavel Petrovich behaves well, even makes fun of himself, but at the same time both he and Bazarov feel awkward. Nikolai Petrovich, from whom the true reason for the duel was hidden, also behaves in the most noble manner, finding justification for the actions of both opponents.

  The consequence of the duel is that Pavel Petrovich, who had previously strongly opposed his brother’s marriage to Fenechka, now himself persuades Nikolai Petrovich to take this step.

  And Arkady and Katya establish a harmonious understanding. The girl astutely notes that Bazarov is a stranger to them, because “he is predatory, and you and I are tame.”

  Having finally lost hope of Odintsova’s reciprocity, Bazarov breaks himself and breaks up with her and Arkady. In parting, he says to his former comrade: “You are a nice fellow, but you are still a soft, liberal gentleman...” Arkady is upset, but soon enough he is consoled by Katya’s company, declares his love to her and is assured that he is loved too.

  Bazarov returns to his parents’ home and tries to lose himself in his work, but after a few days “the fever of work disappeared from him and was replaced by dreary boredom and dull anxiety.” He tries to talk to the men, but finds nothing but stupidity in their heads. True, even the peasants see in Bazarov something "like a pea jester."

  While practicing on the corpse of a typhoid patient, Bazarov wounds his finger and gets blood poisoning. A few days later he notifies his father that, by all indications, his days are numbered.

  Before his death, Bazarov asks Odintsova to come and say goodbye to him. He reminds her of his love and admits that all his proud thoughts, like love, have gone to waste. “And now the giant’s whole task is to die decently, although no one cares about this... All the same: I won’t wag my tail.” He says bitterly that Russia does not need it. “And who is needed? A shoemaker is needed, a tailor is needed, a butcher is needed ... "

  When Bazarov is given communion at the insistence of his parents, “something similar to a shudder of horror was instantly reflected on his dead face.”

  Six months pass. Two couples are getting married in a small village church: Arkady and Katya and Nikolai Petrovich and Fenechka. Everyone was happy, but something in this contentment felt artificial, “as if everyone had agreed to act out some kind of simple-minded comedy.”

  Over time, Arkady becomes a father and a zealous owner, and as a result of his efforts, the estate begins to generate significant income. Nikolai Petrovich takes on the responsibilities of a peace mediator and works hard in the public sphere. Pavel Petrovich lives in Dresden and, although he still looks like a gentleman, “life is hard for him.”

  Kukshina lives in Heidelberg and hangs out with students, studying architecture, in which, according to her, she discovered new laws. Sitnikov married the princess who pushed him around, and, as he assures, continues Bazarov’s “work”, working as a publicist in some dark magazine.

  Decrepit old men often come to Bazarov’s grave and cry bitterly and pray for the repose of the soul of their untimely deceased son. The flowers on the grave mound remind of more than just the tranquility of “indifferent” nature; they also talk about eternal reconciliation and endless life...

  Retold