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 vividly 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.

Life story Nikolai Petrovich, awaiting the arrival of his son Arkady

Chapters 2–3.

Bazarov's exposition

A portrait and the 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

internal conflict.

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, immediate 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 character traits representatives of democratic youth of the 1860s.

Nihilists deny their contemporary social order, oppose admiration for any authority, 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 trouble, 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 ones 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. I believed that Russia at the present stage of its development needs 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"

Older generation

"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 around 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.

Women's images

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 her 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.

Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev was a nobleman whose condition was not regrettable. He had a stable, regular income and writing activity worked for my own realization.

For a long time, the author limited himself to writing stories and short stories. It was as if he was accumulating 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. It was finally cancelled. serfdom, 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 too. 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"


There are a large number of heroes in Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons”. 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 becomes clear 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 older 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 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 other characters in Turgenev’s novel who 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 - 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 a 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 way of life 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 unknown 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 less than respectful, and sometimes 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 unsightly; 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 rupture 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.

The problem of relationships between fathers and children is eternal. The reason lies in differences in life views. Each generation has its own truth, and it is extremely difficult to understand each other, and sometimes there is no desire. Contrasting worldviews- this is the basis of the work Fathers and Sons, summary, which we will consider.

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About the product

Creation

The idea of ​​​​creating the work “Fathers and Sons” arose from the writer Ivan Turgenev in August 1860. The author writes to Countess Lambert about his intention to write a new big story. In the fall he goes to Paris, and in September he writes to Annenkov about the final drawing up a plan and serious intentions in creating a novel. But Turgenev works rather slowly and doubts a good result. However, having received an approving opinion from literary critic Botkin, plans to complete the creation in the spring.

Early winter - period of active work writer, within three weeks the third part of the work was written. Turgenev asked to describe in detail in his letters how things were in the life of Russia. This happened before, and in order to be privy to the events of the country, Ivan Sergeevich decides to return.

Attention! The history of writing ended on July 20, 1861, when the author was in Spassky. In the fall, Turgenev again goes to France. There, during a meeting, he shows his creation to Botkin and Sluchevsky and receives many comments that push him to make changes to the text.

Next spring the novel will be published in magazine "Russian Herald" and he immediately became the object of polemical discussion. The controversy did not subside even after the death of Turgenev.

Genre and number of chapters

If we characterize the genre of the work, then “Fathers and Sons” is 28 chapter novel, showing the socio-political situation in the country before the abolition of serfdom.

main idea

What are we talking about? In his creation “Fathers and Sons” Turgenev describes contradiction and misunderstanding of different generations, and also wants to find a way out of the current situation, ways to get rid of the problem.

The struggle between the two camps is a confrontation between everything that is established and what is radically new, era of democrats and aristocrats, or helplessness and determination.

Turgenev is trying to show what has come time for a change and instead of people of the outdated system, nobles, active, energetic and young people come. The old system has become obsolete, and the new one has not yet been formed. The novel “Fathers and Sons” shows us the turn of an era when society is in turmoil and is unable to live either according to the old canons or the new ones.

The new generation in the novel is represented by Bazarov, around whom the confrontation of “fathers and sons” takes place. He is a representative of a whole galaxy younger generation, for whom complete denial of everything has become the norm. Everything old is unacceptable to them, but they can't bring anything new.

The conflict of worldviews is clearly shown between him and the elder Kirsanov: the rude and straightforward Bazarov and the mannered and refined Kirsanov. The images described by Turgenev are multifaceted and ambiguous. Bazarov's attitude towards the world does not bring happiness at all. They outlined their purpose to society - fight against old ways, but the introduction of new ideas and views in their place does not bother him.

Turgenev did this for a reason, thereby showing that before the collapse of something established, it is necessary to find a worthy replacement for it. If there is no alternative, then even what was intended to solve the problem positively will only make it worse.

Conflict of generations in the novel “Fathers and Sons.”

Heroes of the novel

The main characters of “Fathers and Sons” are:

  • Bazarov Evgeny Vasilievich. Young student learning to become a doctor. Adheres to the ideology of nihilism, questions the liberal views of the Kirsanovs and the traditional views of his own parents. At the end of the work, he falls in love with Anna, and his views of denying everything in the world are changed by love. He will become a village doctor, and due to his own carelessness he will become infected with typhus and die.
  • Kirsanov Nikolai Petrovich. Is the father of Arkady, widower. Landowner. He lives on the estate with Fenechka, a commoner woman, whom he feels and is ashamed of, but then takes her as his wife.
  • Kirsanov Pavel Petrovich. He is Nikolai's older brother. He retired officer, a representative of a privileged layer, is proud and self-confident, shares the ideas of liberalism. Often participates in disputes with Bazarov at the most different topics: art, science, love, nature and more. Hatred towards Bazarov develops into a duel, which he himself initiated. During the duel he is wounded, fortunately the wound turns out to be minor.
  • Kirsanov Arkady Nikolaevich. Is the son of Nicholas. Candidate of Sciences at the University. Like his friend Bazarov, he is a nihilist. At the end of the book he will abandon his worldview.
  • Bazarov Vasily Ivanovich. Is the father of the main character, was a surgeon in the army. He did not leave his medical practice. Lives on his wife's estate. An educated person understands that living in a village, he was cut off from modern ideas. Conservative, religious.
  • Bazarova Arina Vlasevna. She is the main character's mother. She owns the Bazarov estate and fifteen serfs. Superstitious, pious, suspicious, sensitive woman. He loves his son infinitely, and is worried that he has renounced his faith. She herself is a follower of the Orthodox faith.
  • Odintsova Anna Sergeevna. Is a widow, rich. On his estate he welcomes friends who hold nihilistic views. She likes Bazarov, but after his declaration of love, there is no reciprocity. He puts a calm life in the foreground, in which there are no worries.
  • Katerina. Anna Sergeevna's sister, but unlike her, she is quiet and unnoticeable. He plays the clavichord. Arkady Kirsanov spends a lot of time with her, while he is passionately in love with Anna. Then he realizes that he loves Katerina and marries her.

Other heroes:

  • Fenechka. Daughter of the housekeeper of Kirsanov's younger brother. After his mother died, she became his mistress and gave birth to his son.
  • Sitnikov Victor. He is a nihilist and acquaintance of Bazarov.
  • Kukshina Evdokia. Victor's friend, a nihilist.
  • Kolyazin Matvey Ilyich. He is a city official.

The main characters of the novel "Fathers and Sons".

Plot

Fathers and sons are summarized below. 1859 – year when the novel begins.

The young people arrived in Maryino and live in the house of brothers Nikolai and Pavel Kirsanov. The elder Kirsanov and Bazarov do not find a common language, and frequent conflict situations They force Evgeniy to leave for another city N. Arkady also goes there. There they communicate with urban youth (Sitnikova and Kukshina), who adhere to nihilistic views.

At the governor's ball they hold meeting Odintsova, and then go to her estate, Kukshina is destined to stay in the city. Odintsova rejects the declaration of love, and Bazarov has to leave Nikolskoye. He and Arkady go to their parents' house and stay there. Evgeny does not like the excessive care of his parents, he decides to leave Vasily Ivanovich and Arina Vlasevna, and

Evgeny Vasilievich Bazarov – central character novel; commoner, convinced democrat and nihilist. As a medical student, he has a skeptical attitude towards the world. Professing nihilism, he is the ideological mentor of Arkady Kirsanov and the main opponent in disputes with Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. I am used to hiding my real feelings under the mask of an indifferent pragmatist. Having met Anna Sergeevna Odintsova, he is subjected to a test of love, which in the end fails.

Arkady Nikolaevich Kirsanov– hereditary nobleman; friend of E.V. Bazarov, son of N.P. Kirsanov from his first marriage. At the beginning of the novel, he shares the nihilistic views of E.V. Bazarov and is his student, but subsequently abandons his ideas. By nature he has a soft sentimental character. He is in love with a girl, Katya, whom he later marries.

Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov– landowner; father of A. N. Kirsanov and brother of P. P. Kirsanov. Like the son, he is endowed with a calm and subtle nature. He loves a young peasant woman, Fenechka, with whom he will have a son, Mitya. He is passionate about poetry and art in general, in one of the episodes he reads Pushkin to Arkady. Upon Bazarov’s arrival, he warmly receives him; unlike his brother, he does not take part in debates about nihilism.

Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov- retired guards officer, brother of N.P. Kirsanov, an aristocrat, strictly committed to the principles of liberalism. In disputes with Bazarov, Pavel Petrovich is his main ideological opponent, fiercely defending his point of view. The source of disputes between the two heroes is often themes of love, nature, art, and science.

Anna Sergeevna Odintsova is a landowner who became a widow in her young years. Upon receiving Arkady and Bazarov, he becomes an object of interest for the latter. Cold and reasonable, she prefers a quiet, calm life to stormy unrest, which is why she denies love to Bazarov.

Ekaterina Sergeevna Lokteva- landowner, younger sister of A. S. Odintsova. A quiet, kind and modest girl, raised under the strict guidance of her sister. Loves nature and plays music. At the end of the novel she marries Arkady.

Fenechka- a young peasant woman in the Kirsanovs’ house, Nikolai Petrovich’s beloved. Despite her lack of education, she is endowed with all the virtues of a meek and sympathetic girl. From Nikolai Petrovich he has a small son, Mitya. The last chapter shows that she becomes Kirsanov’s wife.

Option 2

In 1862, I.S. Turgenev created the novel “Fathers and Sons,” in which he reveals the important problem of conflict between generations. This problem is helped to reveal a whole system of heroes, different in character.

The first thing in the book appears before the reader is Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov. He is an aristocrat, a landowner, but completely incapable of managing his household and estate. He is a person who respects and follows the traditions of his parents. Nikolai Petrovich received a full education, loves art, plays the cello himself and reads Pushkin. Despite the difference of views with his son, Kirsanov does not conflict and tries to understand and accept his worldview. At the moment when Arkady takes Pushkin’s collection from him and puts a book of some German writer Nikolai Petrovich is not angry with him, but only smiles.

At the beginning of the work, Nikolai's son Arkady and his friend Yevgeny Bazarov arrive at the Kirsanov estate. They are both people from the 60s. He has different views on life from his father, but in general they are similar in nature. He has a fairly gentle character, he is also educated and easily understands his father. After communicating with Bazarov, Arkady falls under his influence and tries to be a nihilist, but in fact he is a sentimental romantic like Nikolai Petrovich. Soon the young man realizes this and falls in love with Katya.

Bazarov Evgeniy- the son of a simple doctor, commoner. He did not receive proper education and could not occupy high positions. He covers up his insignificance with the denial of everything - nihilism. He can heal people perfectly, but Russia does not need him. “First we need to clear the place,” says Bazarov to Nikolai Petrovich. He destroys all foundations and customs, and he no longer cares who will build the new one. Bazarov is presented in the image of a “superfluous man.” And such beliefs influenced his fate. He would never have become a musician or artist, since he does not recognize art in all its forms. It is important to him that a person is useful to society. Because of nihilism, he considered his falling in love a mistake and began to fight these feelings, suppressing the romance in himself. He began to experience depression due to the fact that he had internally betrayed his beliefs. At the same moment, he decides to go treat a typhoid man. Busy thoughts and thoughts led to injury and infection through the blood. Due to different views on life, Evgeniy and Pavel Kirsanov begin to conflict. The second one is trying to stir up all the disputes, since he cannot tolerate such a person next to him, in whom he sees his competitor.

Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov- brother of the previously mentioned Nikolai. Despite their relationship, their characters are completely different. Like his brother, he is educated and an aristocrat. He always holds himself high, does not allow weakness, swagger in himself and does not tolerate this from others, strictly observing the principles. Loves everything the English way. He is an intelligent, but bilious person who does not tolerate rivals, for example, Bazarov. “He was not born a romantic, and his foppishly dry and passionate, misanthropic soul, in the French way, did not know how to dream...” - this is how the author characterizes him. The character of Nikolai Petrovich is revealed in Arkady's story about him. In his youth, the hero experienced a personal drama: he climbed the career ladder, but unhappy love destroyed everything. Beloved Princess R. dies and Pavel Petrovich gives up hopes for a happy life.

At one of the evenings, young people meet Anna Sergeevna Odintsova. This is a strong, calm woman, a widowed countess with a fairly vivid life story, during which she experienced a lot of things and now this determines her desire for peace. By the age of 20, her father had lost all his money and was forced to go to the village, where he soon died, leaving his daughters practically nothing. Anna did not give up and sent the old princess Avdotya Stepanovna Kh. to join her, but raising her twelve-year-old sister was not easy. By a lucky coincidence, the heroine marries a certain Odintsov, a rich, sedate man, who dies 6 years later, leaving her a huge fortune. “She went through fire and water... and copper pipes,” people said about Anna. She always remained calm and friendly, her eyes expressing serene attention to her interlocutor.

Sister Katerina 8 years younger than Anna, she was a calm and intelligent girl, with a meek and gentle look. Arkady listened to her play the piano and fell in love. At the end of the work, young people are getting married.

On the same evening is Evdoksiya Nikitishna Kukshina. This is an ugly, unkempt woman with new and progressive views on life, fighting for women's rights. “Emancipe” Bazarov calls her.

Also at the end of the work she marries Nikolai Petrovich Fenechka- a peasant woman serving in the Kirsanovs’ house. They have a son, Mitya, about whom Arkady partially condemns his father for the fact that they are not yet related by marriage.

Bazarov's parents- impoverished people. His father was a doctor, and his mother was a noblewoman by birth. Both love their only son.

The main characters of the work Fathers and Sons (Description of characters)

The composition of I. S. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” is monocentric, which means that all the characters are subordinate to one goal: to reveal the image of the main character.

Evgeny Bazarov is a 30-year-old medical student. By social status, Bazarov is a commoner, and by origin he is the son of a simple doctor, who says about his grandfather that he plowed the land. Bazarov is proud of his roots and feels close to the people.

Bazarov is a rather cold person. He cannot find a common language even with his own parents. Bazarov can be called a "superfluous man." This is closely related to his beliefs. Evgeny Bazarov is a nihilist who is critical of all generally accepted values.
This theory of nihilism influences the fate of the hero. He denies love, but he himself falls in love, he wants to be closer to the people, but there is a wall of misunderstanding between them. But Bazarov does not give up his beliefs, he tries to suppress them. Theory faced with real life, can’t stand it and breaks the hero. Against the background of these internal fractures, he decides to treat a typhoid man, which leads him to infection and death.

To show all the beliefs of Bazarov the nihilist, Turgenev pits the hero against the older generation, a prominent representative of which is Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. This is an aristocrat. Unlike Bazarov, he is far from the people and will never be able to understand them. Kirsanov takes an example from English culture: clothes, books, manners.

Throughout the novel, the author confronts the views of Kirsanov and Bazarov on various issues. Pavel Petrovich cannot understand how one can live and not believe in anything. He believes that only people without moral values ​​can do without principles. The characters' points of view constantly collide. And then we see that Kirsanov is a man past era. The story of his life also indicates this.

Pavel Petrovich, the son of a military general, who dreams of becoming a military man, thanks to his determination, by the age of 28 he had really achieved a lot. However, an unsuccessful love for the mysterious Princess R turned his whole life upside down: he quits his service and does nothing else. In the image of Pavel Petrovich, an entire generation is represented, which can only live out its life.

Another image necessary to reveal the main character is the image of Anna Odintsova. The author tests Bazarov with love. Odintsova is a young rich widow of twenty-eight years old. She is smart, beautiful and, most importantly, not dependent on anyone. Odintsova loves comfort and peace of life. It is the fear of destroying a calm life that ends everything love relationship heroines with Bazarov. However, Bazarov, going against his theory, falls irrevocably in love with Odintsov and fails the love test.

Another representative of the “fathers” is Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov. However, he is nothing like his brother. He is kind, gentle and romantic. Nikolai Petrovich prefers a quiet, calm life in ancient times. He madly loves his son Arkasha.

Arkady Kirsanov is a young educated nobleman. Having fallen under the spell of Bazarov, he also tries to be a nihilist. But soon the soft and sentimental hero realizes that he was not created to be a nihilist.

The images of Arkady and two “pseudo-nihilists” - Kukshina and Sitnikov - emphasize the theory of nihilism. They try to imitate Bazarov, but it looks quite funny. Both Kukshina and Sitnikov do not have their own views. These images are given as a parody of nihilism. They are described satirically by Turgenev.

If Anna Odintsova is a love test for Bazarov, and Princess R is for Pavel Petrovich, then there is also female images, performing the same function. The image of Katya, with whom Arkady falls in love, is needed so that he gets rid of the ideas of nihilism. Fenechka is the closest thing to the ideal type of Turgenev's girl. It is simple and natural.

Bazarov's parents, Vasily Ivanovich and Arina Vlasevna, are simple and kind people who love their son very much. Outwardly, Bazarov treats his parents dryly, but still he loves them. Here Bazarov the theorist and Bazarov the man collide.

Important in the work are the images of ordinary men. Bazarov points out his closeness to the people, understands all their problems, but there is no mutual understanding between them. The common people turn out to be alien to Bazarov.

I. S. Turgenev showed great skill in describing various types of heroes, thereby revealing the image of the main character - Bazarov.

Sample 4

Evgeny Bazarov

Evgeniy Vasilievich Bazarov is about 30 years old, he is interested in natural sciences, and is studying to become a doctor. Bazarov considers himself a nihilist; he rejects art and love, recognizing only facts proven by science. Evgeny Bazarov is harsh in his judgments, a tough and cold person.

Bazarov falls in love with Odintsova. The feeling that the heroes have for Anna Sergeevna destroys Evgeny’s nihilistic theories and ideals. Bazarov has difficulty coping with the collapse of his ideals.

Evgeniy becomes infected with typhoid during an autopsy of a person suffering from this disease. A short-lived illness kills the hero.

Arkady Kirsanov

Arkady Nikolaevich Kirsanov is Bazarov’s younger comrade. Arkady is 23 years old. The hero considers himself a student of Bazarov, but he does not delve into nihilistic ideas. After graduating from university, he returned home to Maryino. Arkady is a kind and simple-minded hero. He respects the noble way of life, loves art and nature, and believes in real feelings. Arkady marries Katerina Lokteva. The young man finds his happiness in family life.

Nikolay Kirsanov

Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov is the father of Arkady Kirsanov. Nikolai Petrovich is a nobleman and landowner. In his youth, he wanted to become a military man, but was unable to do so due to his lameness. Kirsanov is smart and a kind person. His first wife was the daughter of an official. The hero loved his wife. Nikolai Petrovich was widowed early. From his first marriage he has a son, Arkady, whom he loves very much. Bazarov calls Nikolai Kirsanov a “golden man” for his kindness, hospitality, and warmth in communication.

Nikolai Kirsanov has a romantic character; he is a calm, gentle person. Kirsanov marries a peasant girl, Fenechka, and they have a son, Mitya.

Pavel Kirsanov

Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is Nikolai Kirsanov’s older brother, Arkady’s uncle. Pavel Petrovich is a proud, narcissistic, arrogant person. He considers himself an aristocrat with refined manners. Something happened in the life of Pavel Petrovich unrequited love, the hero is internally unhappy. The eldest Kirsanov goes abroad and practically does not maintain contact with his family.

Minor characters

Vasily Ivanovich Bazarov and Arina Vasilievna Bazarova

Parents of Evgeny Bazarov. Vasily Bazarov practices medicine and helps peasants. Kind talkative person. Arina Bazarova is a sweet elderly woman belonging to a noble family. She is pious and superstitious. Arina Vasilievna loves her son and is experiencing his death very hard.

Odintsova

Anna Sergeevna Odintsova is a young landowner, 28 years old. After the death of her parents, her younger sister Katerina was left in the care of the girl. Anna Sergeevna married Odintsov, an elderly noble man. After some time she became a widow. Odintsova and her sister live in Nikolskoye, on Anna Sergeevna’s estate.

Odintsova has beautiful appearance. Anna Sergeevna has an independent, decisive character, a well-read and cold mind. A woman accustomed to luxury and comfort leads a secluded secular society Lifestyle.

Ekaterina Sergeevna Lokteva

Anna Odintsova's younger sister, she is 20 years old. A modest and smart girl who loves music and nature. Katerina is afraid of her sister’s tough character; the girl was brought up in strictness. Katerina is practically suppressed by her sister's authority. However, unlike Odintsova, the girl found her happiness: the mutual love of Arkady and Katerina grew into a strong union.

Victor Sitnikov

He considers himself a student of Yevgeny Bazarov. Sitnikov is a timid, weak-willed person who follows fashion trends. The hero is ashamed of his noble origin. Victor's main dream is public recognition and fame. After marriage, weak character also manifests itself in family relationships. The hero obeys his wife in everything.

Avdotya Kukshina

Avdotya is a friend of Bazarov and Sitnikov. Avdotya lives separately from her husband, which is very rare in those days. Kukshina has no children. Avdotya manages the estate herself. Kukshina is untidy, according to the author, she is not beautiful woman. Avdotya likes to spend his free time reading and is interested in chemistry. At the end of the story, the reader learns that she went abroad to study architecture.

Fenechka

A peasant girl, simple and kind. She best fits the description of the ideal Turgenev girl. The author admires the heroine’s sincerity and openness. At the end of the story, Fenechka becomes the wife of Nikolai Kirsanov.

Peter

Servant of Pavel Kirsanov. Peter, like the elder Kirsanov, is a narcissistic, arrogant person.

Princess R.

Nellie is the mysterious heroine of the novel. She became the love of Pavel Petrovich's life and had a significant influence on his fate.

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