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.
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. Once, 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.
The most important feature of the amazing talent of I.S. Turgenev - a keen sense of his time, which is the best test for an artist. The images he created continue to live, but in another world, the name of which is the grateful memory of descendants who learned love, dreams and wisdom from the writer.
The clash of two political forces, liberal nobles and raznochintsy revolutionaries, found artistic expression in a new work, which was created during a difficult period of social confrontation.
The idea for “Fathers and Sons” is the result of communication with the staff of the Sovremennik magazine, where the writer worked for a long time. The writer had a hard time leaving the magazine, because the memory of Belinsky was connected with him. The articles of Dobrolyubov, with whom Ivan Sergeevich constantly argued and sometimes disagreed, served as a real basis for depicting ideological differences. The radically minded young man was not on the side of gradual reforms, like the author of Fathers and Sons, but firmly believed in the path of revolutionary transformation of Russia. The editor of the magazine, Nikolai Nekrasov, supported this point of view, so the classics of fiction - Tolstoy and Turgenev - left the editorial office.
The first sketches for the future novel were made at the end of July 1860 on the English Isle of Wight. The image of Bazarov was defined by the author as the character of a self-confident, hard-working, nihilist person who does not recognize compromises or authorities. While working on the novel, Turgenev involuntarily develops sympathy for his character. In this he is helped by the diary of the main character, which is kept by the writer himself.
In May 1861, the writer returned from Paris to his Spasskoye estate and made his last entry in the manuscripts. In February 1862, the novel was published in the Russian Bulletin.
After reading the novel, you understand its true value, created by the “genius of proportion” (D. Merezhkovsky). What did Turgenev love? What did you doubt? What did you dream about?
All the interests and plans of the writer were entirely focused on the most important tasks of the time, moving towards the most pressing problems of everyday life.
Evgeny Vasilievich Bazarov- comes from the people. Son of a regimental doctor. My grandfather on my father’s side “plowed the land.” Evgeniy makes his own way in life and receives a good education. Therefore, the hero is careless in clothes and manners; no one raised him. Bazarov is a representative of the new revolutionary-democratic generation, whose task is to destroy the old way of life and fight against those who hinder social development. A complex man, doubtful, but proud and adamant. Evgeniy Vasilyevich is very vague about how to correct society. Denies the old world, accepts only what is confirmed by practice.
Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov - bearer of noble culture. Bazarov is disgusted by Pavel Petrovich’s “starched collars” and “long nails”. But the hero’s aristocratic manners are an internal weakness, a secret consciousness of his inferiority.
Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov- Arkady's father and Pavel Petrovich's brother. He failed to make a military career, but he did not despair and entered the university. After the death of his wife, he devoted himself to his son and the improvement of the estate.
Arkady Nikolaevich Kirsanov- a person who is not independent, deprived of his own life principles. He completely obeys his friend. He joined Bazarov only because of his youthful enthusiasm, since he did not have his own views, so in the finale there was a break between them.
Odintsova Anna Sergeevna- an “element” “related” to Bazarov’s personality. On what basis can this conclusion be made? The firmness of her outlook on life, her proud loneliness, her intelligence make her “close” to the main character of the novel. She, like Eugene, sacrificed personal happiness, so her heart is cold and fearful of feelings. She herself trampled on them by marrying for convenience.
Conflict – “clash”, “serious disagreement”, “dispute”. To say that these concepts have only a “negative connotation” means to completely misunderstand the processes of social development. “Truth is born in dispute” - this axiom can be considered a “key” that lifts the curtain on the problems posed by Turgenev in the novel.
Disputes are the main compositional device that allows the reader to determine his point of view and take a certain position in his views on a particular social phenomenon, area of development, nature, art, moral concepts. Using the “technique of debate” between “youth” and “old age,” the author affirms the idea that life does not stand still, it is multifaceted and multifaceted.
The conflict between “fathers” and “children” will never be resolved; it can be described as a “constant”. However, it is the conflict of generations that is the engine of development of everything on earth. On the pages of the novel there is a heated debate caused by the struggle of revolutionary democratic forces with the liberal nobility.
Turgenev managed to saturate the novel with progressive thought: protest against violence, hatred of legalized slavery, pain for the suffering of the people, the desire to found their happiness.
The main themes in the novel “Fathers and Sons”:
Turgenev's work sounds an alarming alarm over the whole of Russia, calling on fellow citizens to unite, sanity, and fruitful activity for the good of the Motherland.
The book explains to us not only the past, but also the present day, reminds us of eternal values. The title of the novel does not mean the older and younger generations, not family relationships, but people of new and old views. “Fathers and Sons” is valuable not only as an illustration of history; the work touches on many moral issues.
The basis of the existence of the human race is the family, where everyone has their own responsibilities: the elders (“fathers”) look after the younger (“children”), pass on to them the experience and traditions accumulated by their ancestors, and instill moral feelings in them; the younger ones honor adults, adopt from them everything important and best that is necessary for the formation of a person of a new formation. However, their task is also the creation of fundamental innovations, which is impossible without some denial of past misconceptions. The harmony of the world order lies in the fact that these “connections” are not broken, but not in the fact that everything remains the old fashioned way.
The book has great educational value. Reading it at the time of forming your character means thinking about important life problems. "Fathers and Sons" teach serious attitude to the world active position, patriotism. They teach from a young age to develop strong principles, engaging in self-education, but at the same time honor the memory of their ancestors, even if it does not always turn out to be right.
Can you agree with the critic on everything? Probably no. He calls Pavel Petrovich “a small-sized Pechorin.” But the dispute between the two characters gives reason to doubt this. Pisarev claims that Turgenev does not sympathize with any of his heroes. The writer considers Bazarov his “favorite child.”
For the first time, the word “nihilist” is heard in the novel from the lips of Arkady and immediately attracts attention. However, the concept of “nihilist” is in no way connected with Kirsanov Jr.
The word “nihilist” was taken by Turgenev from N. Dobrolyubov’s review of a book by the Kazan philosopher, conservative professor V. Bervy. However, Dobrolyubov interpreted it in a positive sense and assigned it to the younger generation. The word was introduced into widespread use by Ivan Sergeevich, which became synonymous with the word “revolutionary.”
The “nihilist” in the novel is Bazarov, who does not recognize authorities and denies everything. The writer did not accept the extremes of nihilism, caricaturing Kukshina and Sitnikov, but sympathized with the main character.
Evgeny Vasilyevich Bazarov still teaches us about his fate. Every person has a unique spiritual image, whether he is a nihilist or a simple layman. Respect and reverence for another person consists of respect for the fact that in him there is the same secret flicker of a living soul that is in you.
Interesting? Save it on your wall!Option I
The novel “Fathers and Sons” was written in the second half of the 19th century by the remarkable Russian writer I. S. Turgenev. Immediately after its appearance, it became one of the best works in Russian classics and remains popular to this day. There are many reasons for this. After all, the novel touches on the themes of love, family relationships, friendship, as well as the conflict between the older and new generations, which is relevant at all times. At the same time, the author not only described the events, but also masterfully analyzed the psychology of each individual character.
A special place is given to the title of the novel. Initially, it suggests that we will be talking about the conflict of two generations and the contradictions between them. In fact, the author wanted to convey a deeper meaning with this name. Fathers and children are not only parents and their descendants. These are mature people living the thoughts of the past generation and liberal-democratic youth who have come to destroy their conservative thinking. The writer himself did not consider himself a conservative or a commoner revolutionary. He didn't like serfdom and stood closer to the liberals. In his novel, he tried to reflect as best as possible a certain stage in the history of Russia, considering current events.
The novel “Fathers and Sons” is rather a work about the struggle of different worldviews and socio-political groups. In it, the old noble intelligentsia collides with a new revolutionary raznochin group. In my opinion, the author only includes Bazarov in the “children” camp. While he even includes young Arkady and his beloved Katya in the “fathers” camp. Throughout the entire novel, there is a struggle between these two camps, and there is no one who would fully support the ideas of the protagonist. Bazarov is always in sharp opposition to society and its accepted way of life. His clashes with the true representative of the nobility, Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, are especially vividly depicted. These are not just small quarrels over a cup of tea, but it even comes to a duel.
After reading the novel, we can conclude that the author sympathizes with Bazarov in his own way. This is noticeable in small disputes and major conflicts, in which he always emerges victorious. Moreover, his willpower, moral superiority and fundamental conviction of being right are often shown. At the end of the novel, the hero is overtaken by death. According to the plot of the novel, this is an ordinary accident, but, according to Turgenev, it is not. With this development of the plot, the author wanted to show that people akin to Bazarov do not yet have a place in society. In particular, they are premature for Russia and they have no real business. The great merit of the writer himself is that he was able to skillfully show the spirit of the era and the existing conflict between democrats and conservatives.
Option II
Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev is one of the best writers of the 19th century, whose works made up an impressive part of the golden fund of Russian classics. Perhaps, best novel, which he wrote is "Fathers and Sons". In it he put his entire vision of his contemporary era, revealing the main socially significant problems that exist between the past and future generations.
The main character of his immortal work, Evgeny Vasilyevich Bazarov, is a young medical student who considers himself a person of innovative views. Judging by his character and behavior, he can be considered one of the “superfluous” people, since he did not find like-minded people among those around him. The theory he preached was called “nihilism,” that is, a complete denial of the existence of God, love, affection and everything that has developed in human society over the centuries.
The title of the novel eloquently lets us know that we will be talking about the eternal conflict between the older and younger generations. However, the conflict that Turgenev describes does not affect Bazarov's relationship with his own parents, or Arkady Kirsanov with his father. The opponent of the ideas of the newly-minted nihilist is Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov - a true aristocrat and a man who experienced a strong love shock in his life. Bazarov is sure that love is not the main thing in life.
He tries to be above love and not experience any attachments to women. Even the game that he fleetingly started around Fenechka was caused only by the desire to offend Pavel Petrovich, to assert himself, to prove something to himself and those around him. Kirsanov Sr., unable to withstand the challenge addressed to him, challenges the “nihilist” to a secret duel. It seems to him that Fenechka’s honor is under threat. In fact, Eugene is deeply indifferent to this girl, like any other.
During the duel, he slightly wounds Pavel Petrovich, and then he himself gives him a helping hand. This is his way of showing his superiority over those who disagree with him. In fact, Bazarov is a deeply unhappy person, doomed to loneliness due to his contradictory character. Another ideological defeat awaited him in his personal field, when he got to know Odintsova better and was convinced of her favorable attitude, he pushed her away and decided to end the relationship.
Even towards his parents, who sincerely loved him despite all his shortcomings, he treated him rather cruelly. He did not allow them to openly show their love towards him, and he himself treated them dryly. Only before his death did Bazarov realize the futility of his “nihilism.” He confessed everything in a letter to Odintsova and asked not to leave his old people, whom he now called the best people in the world.
Pavel Petrovich, in turn, went to Dresden and continued to live alone, without betraying his aristocratic manners. The Kirsanov father and son married their beloved women and lived in perfect harmony, doing household chores. For them, Bazarov’s death was also an unexpected blow, but had little effect on the usual course of life.
Most often, the title of a work is the key to its content and understanding. This is what happens with I. S. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons”. Just two simple words, but they contained so many concepts that divided the heroes into two opposite camps. Such a simple title reveals the essence of the novel “Fathers and Sons” in complex issues.
In his work, the author not only raises the problem of the collision of two opposite generations, but also tries to find a solution, to indicate a way out of the current situation. The confrontation between the two camps can be seen as a struggle between old and new, radicals and liberals, between democracy and aristocracy, determination and confusion.
The author believes that the time has come for change and tries to show it in the novel. The old representatives of the noble system are being replaced by the young and restless, searching and fighting. The old system has already outlived its usefulness, but the new one has not yet formed, and the meaning of the novel “Fathers and Sons” clearly indicates the inability of society to live either in the old or in the new way.
This is a kind of transitional time, the border of eras.
The representative of the new generation is Bazarov. It is he who plays the main role, which creates the conflict in the novel “Fathers and Sons”. He represents a whole galaxy of young people who have accepted a form of complete denial as faith. They deny everything old, but do not bring anything to replace this old.
A very clearly conflicting worldview is shown between Pavel Kirsanov and Evgeny Bazarov. Straightforwardness and rudeness versus manners and sophistication. The images of the novel “Fathers and Sons” are multifaceted and contradictory. But Bazarov’s clearly defined system of values does not make him happy. He himself outlined his purpose for society: to break the old. But how to build something new on a destroyed foundation of ideas and views is no longer his business.
The problem of emancipation is considered. The author shows this as a possible alternative to the patriarchal system. But only the female image of the emancipe is given as unsightly, completely different from the ordinary Turgenev girl. And, again, this was not done by chance, but with a clear intention to show that before destroying something established, it is necessary to find a replacement for it. If this does not happen, then the changes fail; even what was clearly intended to be a positive solution to the problem may change in a different direction and become a sharply negative phenomenon.
The novel “Fathers and Sons” is still relevant today, the characteristics of the heroes in it are a kind of confirmation of this. This work has collected the largest number of problems that the author poses to his generation. But even today many questions of Turgenev’s novel have not been answered.
The materials posted on this page will help 10th grade students prepare an essay on the topic “The meaning of the novel “Fathers and Sons”.”
The meaning of the novel “Fathers and Sons”, the essence of the conflict – materials for essay |
Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” reveals several problems at once. One reflects the conflict of generations and clearly demonstrates a way to get out of it while preserving the main thing - the value of family. The second demonstrates the processes taking place in the society of that time. Through dialogues and skillfully developed images of heroes, a type of public figure that has barely begun to emerge is presented, denying all the foundations of the existing statehood and ridiculing such moral and ethical values as love feelings and sincere affections.
Ivan Sergeevich himself does not take either side in the work. As an author, he condemns both the nobility and representatives of new socio-political movements, clearly showing that the value of life and sincere affections is much higher than rebellion and political passions.
Of all Turgenev’s works, the novel “Fathers and Sons” was the only one written in a short time. Only two years passed from the inception of the idea to the first publication of the manuscript.
The writer’s first thoughts regarding the new story came in August 1860 during his stay in England on the Isle of Wight. This was facilitated by Turgenev’s acquaintance with a young provincial doctor. Fate pushed them into bad weather on an iron road and, under the pressure of circumstances, they communicated with Ivan Sergeevich all night. New acquaintances were shown those ideas that the reader could later observe in Bazarov’s speeches. The doctor became the prototype of the main character.
(The Kirsanov estate from the film "Fathers and Sons", filming location Fryanovo estate, 1983)
In the autumn of the same year, upon returning to Paris, Turgenev worked out the plot of the novel and began writing chapters. Within six months, half of the manuscript was ready, and he finished it after arriving in Russia, in the middle of the summer of 1861.
Until the spring of 1862, while reading his novel to friends and giving the manuscript to the editor of the Russian Messenger to read, Turgenev made corrections to the work. In March of the same year, the novel was published. This version was slightly different from the edition that was released six months later. In it, Bazarov was presented in a more unattractive light and the image of the main character was a little repulsive.
The main character of the novel, the nihilist Bazarov, together with the young nobleman Arkady Kirsanov, comes to the Kirsanov estate, where the main character meets his comrade’s father and uncle.
Pavel Petrovich is a sophisticated aristocrat who does not like Bazarov at all, nor the ideas and values he displays. Bazarov also does not remain in debt, and no less actively and passionately, he speaks out against the values and morality of the old people.
After this, the young people meet the recently widowed Anna Odintsova. They both fall in love with her, but temporarily hide it not only from the object of their adoration, but also from each other. The main character is ashamed to admit that he, who vehemently opposed romanticism and love affection, now himself suffers from these feelings.
The young nobleman begins to be jealous of the lady of his heart for Bazarov, omissions occur between friends and, as a result, Bazarov tells Anna about his feelings. Odintsova prefers him a quiet life and a marriage of convenience.
Gradually, the relationship between Bazarov and Arkady deteriorates, and Arkady himself becomes interested in Anna's younger sister Ekaterina.
Relations between the older generation of the Kirsanovs and Bazarovs are heating up, it comes to a duel, in which Pavel Petrovich is wounded. This puts an end to it between Arkady and Bazarov, and the main character has to return to his father’s house. There he becomes infected with a fatal disease and dies in the arms of his own parents.
In the finale of the novel, Anna Sergeevna Odintsova gets married by convenience, Arkady and Ekaterina, as well as Fenechka and Nikolai Petrovich get married. They have their weddings on the same day. Uncle Arkady leaves the estate and goes to live abroad.
Bazarov is a medical student, by social status, a simple man, the son of a military doctor. He is seriously interested in natural sciences, shares the beliefs of nihilists and denies romantic attachments. He is self-confident, proud, ironic and mocking. Bazarov doesn’t like to talk a lot.
Besides love main character does not share admiration for art, has little faith in medicine, despite the education he receives. Not considering himself a romantic person, Bazarov loves beautiful women and, at the same time, despises them.
The most interesting moment in the novel is when the hero himself begins to experience those feelings whose existence he denied and ridiculed. Turgenev clearly demonstrates intrapersonal conflict, at a moment when a person’s feelings and beliefs diverge.
One of the central characters of Turgenev's novel is a young and educated nobleman. He is only 23 years old and barely graduated from university. Due to his youth and character, he is naive and easily falls under the influence of Bazarov. Outwardly, he shares the beliefs of the nihilists, but in his soul, and this is evident later in the plot, he appears as a generous, gentle and very sentimental young man. Over time, the hero himself understands this.
Unlike Bazarov, Arkady loves to talk a lot and beautifully, he is emotional, cheerful and values affection. He believes in marriage. Despite the conflict between fathers and children demonstrated at the beginning of the novel, Arkady loves both his uncle and his father.
Anna Sergeevna Odintsova is an early widowed rich person who at one time married not out of love, but out of convenience, in order to protect herself from poverty. One of the main heroines of the novel loves peace and her own independence. She never loved anyone or became attached to anyone.
For the main characters, she looks beautiful and inaccessible, since she does not reciprocate anyone. Even after the death of the hero, she marries again, and again for convenience.
The widow Odintsova's younger sister, Katya, is very young. She is only 20 years old. Catherine is one of the sweetest and most pleasant characters in the novel. She is kind, sociable, observant and at the same time demonstrates independence and stubbornness, which only beauty the young lady. She comes from a family of poor nobles. Her parents died when she was only 12 years old. Since then, she was raised by her older sister Anna. Ekaterina is afraid of her and feels awkward under Odintsova’s gaze.
The girl loves nature, thinks a lot, she is direct and not flirtatious.
Father of Arkady (brother of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov). Widower. He is 44 years old, a completely harmless person and an undemanding owner. He is soft, kind, attached to his son. He is a romantic by nature, he likes music, nature, poetry. Nikolai Petrovich loves a quiet, calm, measured life in the wilderness of the village.
At one time, he married for love and lived happily in marriage until his wife died. For many years he could not come to his senses after the death of his beloved, but over the years he found love again and it became Fenechka, a simple and poor girl.
A sophisticated aristocrat, 45 years old, Arkady's uncle. At one time he served as a guard officer, but because of Princess R. his life changed. A former socialite, a heartthrob who easily won the love of women. All his life he built in the English style, read newspapers in foreign language, managed business and everyday life.
Kirsanov is a clear supporter of liberal views and a man of principles. He is self-confident, proud and mocking. Love at one time knocked him down, and from a lover of noisy companies, he became an ardent misanthrope who avoided the company of people in every possible way. At heart the hero is unhappy and at the end of the novel he finds himself far from his loved ones.
The main plot of Turgenev's novel, which has become a classic, is Bazarov's conflict with the society in which he found himself by the will of fate. A society that does not support his views and ideals.
The conventional plot of the plot is the appearance of the main character in the Kirsanovs' house. In the course of communication with other characters, conflicts and clashes of views are demonstrated that test Evgeniy’s beliefs for stability. This also happens within the framework of the main love line - in the relationship between Bazarov and Odintsova.
Contrast is the main technique that the author used when writing the novel. It is reflected not only in its title and demonstrated in the conflict, but is also reflected in the repetition of the protagonist’s route. Bazarov twice ends up at the Kirsanovs’ estate, twice visits Odintsova, and also returns twice to his parents’ house.
The denouement of the plot is the death of the main character, with which the writer wanted to demonstrate the collapse of the thoughts expressed by the hero throughout the novel.
In his work, Turgenev clearly showed that in the cycle of all ideologies and political disputes there is a large, complex and diverse life, where traditional values, nature, art, love and sincere, deep affections always win.