Fathers and Sons covers the growing divide between two
generations of 19th-century Russians: the conservative Slavophiles, who
believed that Russian tradition should continue, and the young
nihilists like Yevgeny Bazarov, who questioned preconceived ideas and
the old order. Author Ivan Turgenev''''s Fathers and Sons influenced many of the great Russian novelists to come, most obviously Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky.Turgenev weaves contrasting characters representing divergent traditions of 20th century Russia deftly into the storyline of Fathers and Sons. The protagonist, Arkady Kirsanov, has just graduated from the
University of Petersburg and returns with a friend, Bazarov, to his
father’s modest
estate in an outlying province of Russia. The
Father gladly receives the two young men at his estate, called Marino, but
Nikolai’s brother, Pavel, soon becomes upset by the strange new
philosophy called “nihilism” which the young men advocate.Nikolai feels awkward with his son at home,
partially because Arkady’s views have dated his own beliefs, and
partially because he has taken a servant, Fenichka, into his house to
live with him and has already had a son by her.
The two young men remain at Marino for a short
time, then decide to visit a relative of Arkady’s in a neighboring
province. There they observe the local gentry and meet Madame
Odintsova, an elegant woman of independent means who invites them to
spend a few days at her estate, Nikolskoe.
At Nikolskoe, they also meet Katya, Madame
Odintsova’s sister, who attracts Arkady. They remain for a short period
and Bazarov is more and more drawn toward Madame Odintsova, until he
finally announces that he loves her. She does not respond to his
declaration, and soon after, Arkady and Bazarov leave for Bazarov’s
home.
At Bazarov’s home, they are received
enthusiastically by his parents. Bazarov is still disturbed by his
rejection, and is difficult to get along with. He almost comes to blows
with his friend Arkady. After a brief stay, they decide to return to
Marino, and circle by to see Madame Odintsova, who receives them
coolly. They leave almost immediately and return to Arkady’s home.
Arkady remains for only a few days, and makes an
excuse to leave in order to see Katya. Bazarov stays at Marino to do
some scientific research, and tension between him and Pavel increases.
Bazarov enjoys talking with Fenichka and playing with her child, and
one day he gives her a quick, harmless kiss which is observed by Pavel.
The older man feels it is his duty to defend his brother’s honor, and
he challenges Bazarov to a due>. Pavel is wounded slightly, and Bazarov
must leave Marino. He stops for an hour or so at Madame Odintsova’s,
then continues on to his parents’ home. Meanwhile, Arkady and Katya
have fallen in love and have become engaged.
At home, Bazarov cannot keep his mind on his
work and while performing an autopsy fails to take the proper
precautions. He contracts typhus, and on his deathbed, sends for Madame
Odintsova, who arrives in time to hear Bazarov tell her how beautiful
she is.
Arkady marries Katya and takes over the
management of his father’s estate. His father marries Fenichka and is
delighted to have his son
home with him. Pavel leaves the country and
lives the rest of his life as a “noble” in Dresden, Germany.Bazarov''''s untimely death comes to represent the fall of nihilism in the face of the human experience. Bazarov''''s philosophy proves untenable under the pressure of love and companionship, even when held by the most stubborn of practitioners.
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