Literature Help: Fathers and Sons

By Students' Academy

“Fathers and Sons” by Ivan Turgenev was first published in 1862. It is generally considered the author’s best novel.

Most conservative Russians criticized the novel when it was first published, thinking that the author had glorified nihilism through the character of Bazarov.

On the other hand, radical Russians believed that the author had caricatured the younger generation in this novel.

Literature Help: Fathers and Sons
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Major Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
Chapter Five: Critical Analysis

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raja Sharma
• Release date: Oct 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370623037

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Literature Help: Fathers and Sons

Copyright

Literature Help: Fathers and Sons

Students' Academy

Copyright@2016 Students' Academy

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Chapter One: Introduction

Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev was first published in 1862. It is generally considered the author’s best novel.

Most of the conservative Russians criticized the novel when it was first published, thinking that the author had glorified nihilism through the character of Bazarov. On the other hand, radical Russians believed that the author had caricatured the younger generation in this novel.

Both Radicals and Conservatives wanted to establish their views about the novel, but neither of them was successful. Ivan Turgenev did not agree with the either of the views.

According to the author, he tried to depict the lives of his characters as carefully as he could and he had never intended to send a political message through this novel.

There is no doubt that Fathers and Sons is a fantastic piece of literature, but it can be said that it is more than that. Whenever there is a discussion about the mid nineteenth century Russian history, Turgenev’s novel happens to be inevitable a part of that discussion.

The novel has a universal appeal and it has been translated into several languages in different countries. Since the novel has a lot to tell about father and son relationship, parents generally relate to Nikolai Petrovich who keeps attempting to understand his son. On the other hand, children reading this novel relate to Arkady and Bazarov trying to surpass their fathers.

Besides telling about the Russian history, the novel tells a lot about people in Russia and society in general.

Chapter Two: Plot Overview

As the novel opens, we are introduced to Arkady Kirsanov. He happens to have just graduated from the University of Petersburg. He has come back to his father’s modest estate in a remote province of Russia. His friend Bazarov is also with him.

Nikolai, his father, is happy to receive his son and his friend at his estate. His estate is called Maryino. However, Nikolai’s brother, Pavel, does not feel happy with the strange new philosophy called ‘nihilism’ being advocated by the two young men.

After a few days, Nikolai, who was initially very happy to have received his son, begins to feel uncomfortable. Nikolai has understood that his son’s views are very radical and they are greatly influenced by his friend Bazarov. Nikolai feels that his own views are now old.

Nikolai happens to have employed a servant named Fenichka to live with him in his house. The things are more complicated for the father now. He already has a son by his servant. His son, Arkady, does not seem to be much troubled by his father’s relationship with his servant. On the contrary, he is happy and he celebrates the acquisition of a younger brother. It is obvious that these new thoughts and openness in the behaviour of his son troubles Nikolai.

Arkady and Bazarov stay over at Maryino for some weeks, and then they visit a relative in the neighbouring province. In that new place they see the local people and come across Madame Odintsova. She is a very elegant woman and has very frank and independent views. She has her pretentious surroundings and she cuts a seductively different figure.

Arkady and his friend get attracted to Madame. However, she feels intrigued by Bazarov’s singular manner. She eventually invites the friends to spend a few days with her at her estate, Nikolskoe.

During their stay at the estate, they meet Katya, Madame Odintsova’s sister. The friends do not spend a very long time there, but they go through a significant transformation. After that stay, the friends feel that their relationship with each other has been particularly affected. Both of them are attracted to Madame Odintsova.

Bazarov is particularly very much upset because his nihilist beliefs do now permit falling in love. However, he is prompted by Madame’s own cautious expressions of attractions to him. Finally, he declares that he is in love with Madame. She does not respond immediately although she is also very much attracted to him. However, she realizes that he is also upset by what he feels for her.

When Madame does not reciprocate his love and does not disclose her feelings for him, he goes to his parents’ home. Arkady goes with him. Bazarov’s parents receive them very enthusiastically, although they live with their traditional manners. They are very humble people. They feel that their world of simple values and virtues is fast disappearing. Bazarov shows his cynicism towards society and does not feel very comfortable with outsiders, but eventually he settles back into his family’s ambiance.

Arkady tells Bazarov’s father that his son has a brilliant future in store, but Bazarov interrupts him. He in fact reproves Arkady for his thoughts and words.

Later that day, there is a kind of conflict between the friends, and they literally come to blows, but later on Arkady makes a joke about fighting over Bazarov’s cynicism. When the friends say that they are going to leave after a brief stay, Bazarov’s parents are very much disappointed. The friends inform them that they are going back to Maryino. They decide to stop on the way to see Madame Odintsova.

When they reach Madame’s estate, she receives them coolly. They do not stay there and go back to Arkady’s home. Arkady stays at home for only a few days. He lies to his father and decides to go to Nikolskoe.

When he reaches her estate, Arkady realizes that he is not in love with Odintsova. He is in love with her sister Katya.

Bazarov continues to stay at Maryino to do some scientific research. During his stay, the tension between Bazarov and Pavel increases. Bazarov feels very comfortable with Fenichka, and he often talks with her and plays with her child. He likes doing that.

One day, Bazarov kisses Fenichka. Pavel sees that kiss. Pavel is secretly in love with Fenichka himself. He is obviously furious. He challenges Bazarov to a duel. During the duel, Pavel is wounded in the leg. After that incident, Bazarov must leave Maryino.

He visits Madame Odintsova and stays with her for an hour and then goes back to his parents’ home. On the other hand, Arkady and Katya have already come closer and they are now engaged.

Having come back home, Bazarov continues to feel upset and he is not able to concentrate on his work. While performing an autopsy, he becomes careless and does not take essential precautions. In the process, he cuts himself. He contracts blood poisoning. The condition becomes very serious. When he is on his deathbed, he sends for Madame Odintsova. She arrives just in time and Bazarov tells her that she is very beautiful. She bends down and kisses him on his forehead and then leaves. The following morning, Bazarov passes away.

On the other hand, Arkady and Katya get married. Arkady now manages his father’s estate. His father marries Fenichka and he is very happy because his son Arkady is also with him at home.

Pavel is not able to stay there. He leaves the country and goes to Germany. He lives there as a ‘noble’ in Dresden in Germany.

Chapter Three: Major Characters

Yevgeny Vasil'evich Bazarov

Bazarov is one of the two central characters in the novel. He is a medical student, a man with untraditional views. He is a nihilist.

Although he is Arkady’s friend, he is Arkady’s mentor as well. He challenges the liberal ideas of the Kirsanov brothers and is against the traditional Russian orthodoxy.

He visits his parents with his friend Arkady, but he can’t adjust with his traditional parents there. Bazarov and Arkady fall for the same woman, Madame. However, things change very rapidly in the lives of the friends and Arkady marries Katya.

Eventually, just before his death, Madame visits him and kisses him on his forehead.

He is a very thoughtful and serious person. He feels