The most important feature of the amazing talent of I.S. Turgeneva – acute feeling 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 embodiment in a new work, which is 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 real basis to depict 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 left the editorial office fiction- Tolstoy and Turgenev.

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.

Main problems

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?

1. Central to the book is moral problem relationships between generations. "Fathers" or "children"? The fate of everyone is connected with the search for an answer to the question: what is the meaning of life? For new people it lies in work, but the old guard sees it in reasoning and contemplation, because crowds of peasants work for them. In this fundamental position there is a place for irreconcilable conflict: fathers and children live differently. In this discrepancy we see the problem of misunderstanding of opposites. The antagonists cannot and do not want to accept each other, this impasse is especially evident in the relationship between Pavel Kirsanov and Evgeny Bazarov.
2. The problem is just as acute moral choice: whose side is the truth on? Turgenev believed that the past cannot be denied, because only thanks to it the future is built. In the image of Bazarov, he expressed the need to preserve the continuity of generations. The hero is unhappy because he is lonely and understood, because he himself did not strive for anyone and did not want to understand. However, changes, whether people of the past like it or not, will still come, and we must be prepared for them. This is evidenced by the ironic image of Pavel Kirsanov, who lost his sense of reality while putting on ceremonial tailcoats in the village. The writer calls for a sensitive response to changes and trying to understand them, and not indiscriminately criticize them, like Uncle Arkady. Thus, the solution to the problem is in a tolerant attitude different people each other and an attempt to understand the opposite life concept. In this sense, the position of Nikolai Kirsanov, who was tolerant of new trends and was never in a hurry to judge them, won. His son also found a compromise solution.
3. However, the author made it clear that there is a high purpose behind Bazarov’s tragedy. It is precisely such desperate and self-confident pioneers who pave the way forward for the world, so the problem of recognizing this mission in society also occupies an important place. Evgeniy repents on his deathbed that he feels useless, this realization destroys him, but he could have become a great scientist or a skilled doctor. But cruel morals the conservative world is pushing him out because they feel threatened by him.
4. The problems of the “new” people, the diverse intelligentsia, and difficult relationships in society, with parents, and in the family are also obvious. The commoners do not have profitable estates and a position in society, so they are forced to work and become embittered when they see social injustice: they work hard for a piece of bread, while the nobles, stupid and mediocre, do nothing and occupy all the upper floors of the social hierarchy, where the elevator simply does not reach . Hence the revolutionary sentiments and the moral crisis of an entire generation.
5. Problems of eternal human values: love, friendship, art, attitude to nature. Turgenev knew how to reveal the depths of human character in love, to test the true essence of a person with love. But not everyone passes this test; an example of this is Bazarov, who breaks down under the onslaught of feeling.

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.

Characteristics of the characters in the novel

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 old world, accepts only what is confirmed by practice.

• The writer depicted the type in Bazarov young man, who believes exclusively in scientific activity and denies religion. The hero has a deep interest in natural sciences. From childhood, his parents instilled in him a love of work.
• He condemns the people for illiteracy and ignorance, but is proud of his origin. Bazarov's views and beliefs do not find like-minded people. Sitnikov, a talker and phrase-monger, and the “emancipated” Kukshina are worthless “followers”.
• A soul unknown to him is rushing about in Evgeny Vasilyevich. What should a physiologist and anatomist do with it? It is not visible under a microscope. But the soul hurts, although it – a scientific fact – does not exist!
• Turgenev spends most of the novel exploring the “temptations” of his hero. He torments him with the love of old people - his parents - what to do with them? And what about love for Odintsova? The principles are in no way compatible with life, with the living movements of people. What remains for Bazarov? Just die. Death is his final test. He accepts her heroically, does not console himself with the spells of a materialist, but calls his beloved.
• The spirit conquers the enraged mind, overcomes the errors of the schemes and postulates of the new teaching.

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.

• Kirsanov believes that respecting yourself means taking care of your appearance and never losing your dignity, even in the village. He organizes his daily routine in the English manner.
• Pavel Petrovich retired, indulging in love experiences. This decision of his became a “retirement” from life. Love does not bring joy to a person if he lives only by its interests and whims.
• The hero is guided by principles taken “on faith”, corresponding to his position as a gentleman - a serf owner. The Russian people are honored for their patriarchy and obedience.
• In relation to a woman, strength and passion of feelings are manifested, but he does not understand them.
• Pavel Petrovich is indifferent to nature. Denial of her beauty speaks of his spiritual limitations.
• This man is deeply unhappy.

Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov- Arkady's father and Pavel Petrovich's brother. Do military career failed, 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.

• The characteristic features of the character are gentleness and humility. The hero's intelligence evokes sympathy and respect. Nikolai Petrovich is a romantic at heart, loves music, recites poetry.
• He is an opponent of nihilism and tries to smooth out any emerging disagreements. Lives in accordance with his heart and conscience.

Arkady Nikolaevich Kirsanov- a person who is not independent, deprived of his 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.

• Subsequently, he became a zealous owner and started a family.
• “A nice fellow,” but “a soft, liberal gentleman,” Bazarov says about him.
• All the Kirsanovs are “more children of events than fathers of their own actions.”

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, “proud loneliness, intelligence - make her “close” to the main character of the novel. She, like Evgeny, sacrificed personal happiness, so her heart is cold and fearful of feelings. She herself trampled on them by marrying for convenience.

Conflict between "fathers" and "children"

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 this or that. 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.

Main topics

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”:

1. Ideological contradictions of the intelligentsia during the preparation of the reform on the abolition of serfdom;
2. “Fathers” and “sons”: relationships between generations and the theme of family;
3. A “new” type of person at the turn of two eras;
4. Immense love for the homeland, parents, woman;
5. Human and nature. The world: workshop or temple?

What is the point of the book?

Turgenev’s work sounds an alarming alarm bell over all 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 ones (“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” teaches a serious attitude towards the world, an active position, and 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.

Criticism about the novel

• After the publication of Fathers and Sons, a fierce controversy erupted. M.A. Antonovich in the Sovremennik magazine interpreted the novel as a “merciless” and “destructive criticism of the younger generation.”
• D. Pisarev in “Russian Word” highly appreciated the work and the image of a nihilist created by the master. The critic emphasized the tragedy of character and noted the firmness of a person who does not retreat from trials. He agrees with other authors of critical articles that the “new” people may cause resentment, but it is impossible to deny them “sincerity”. The appearance of Bazarov in Russian literature is a new step in highlighting the social and public life of the country.

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.”

What is "nihilism"?

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 man in the street. 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.

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Evgeny Vasilievich Bazarov - main character Romana, son of a regimental doctor, medical student, friend of Arkady Kirsanov. Bazarov is the brightest representative of youth and democratic intelligentsia of various ranks mid-19th century. Calling himself a “nihilist,” he denies the established social order and rejects any principles.

A beautiful aristocrat, 29 years old, whom Bazarov fell in love with. She considers herself to be a new generation of nobles: simple, calm, devoid of snobbery, preaches freedom of judgment and democracy. By nature, Anna Sergeevna is proud and smart. Left without a father at an early age, she raised her younger sister.

One of the main characters of the novel, the father of Arkady Kirsanov and the brother of Pavel Petrovich. In the past he was happily married, but remained a widower. Now he lives with a young girl, Fenechka, who gave birth to his son. Despite the fact that Nikolai Petrovich is no longer young, he tries to keep up with the times and is interested in music, poetry and art in general.

Brother of Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov, uncle of Arkady and Bazarov's main opponent. He acts as the main opponent in ideological disputes with Bazarov and, due to the strength of his character, is a worthy rival to him. Pavel Petrovich is distinguished by integrity, insight, aristocracy, high intelligence, sharp mind, nobility, willpower, liberal views and passion for everything English.

She is one of the main female characters in the novel. She is an ordinary peasant girl, left an orphan at an early age. Fenechka’s mother Arina Savishna worked as a housekeeper on the estate of Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov. When she died, he took upon himself the care of young Fenechka, with whom he later fell in love.

A minor character in the novel, an emancipated landowner, Sitnikov’s friend, a psedonihilist. She imitates the most extreme manifestations of radicalism, is constantly interested in the “women's question” and the situation of women throughout the world, is interested in the natural sciences, and despises George Sand.

A minor character in the novel, Bazarov's friend and student, a pseudo-nihilist. He is characterized by anxious tension, as well as dog-like devotion to his “teacher.” He tries in vain to imitate Bazarov, making him his idol. In his attempts to behave freely and boldly, to show harshness in his judgments and actions, he looks comical.

Kate

Odintsova's younger sister. A young and shy girl of 18 years old. Their love with Arkady developed slowly, but gradually the young people fell in love with each other and got married. In the future, they had a son, Kolya.

Vasily Ivanovich

Bazarov's father, a retired staff doctor. Lives on a remote estate, has a few serf souls. He treats local peasants. He is interested in gardening and vegetable gardening. Evgeniy was his only son, after whose death his life also faded.

Arina Vlasevna

Bazarov's mother, kind woman, passionately loving her son. She was very pious and believed in everything possible: in devils, dreams, omens, fortune telling, damage and even in the end of the world. In her youth she was beautiful, played the clavichord and knew French. Now I’ve gained weight and forgotten music and language. The death of her son practically killed her herself.

Prokofich

A servant in the Kirsanovs' house, a thin old man of about sixty years old. Nikolai Petrovich called him a grump. The only servant who did not love Bazarov.

Dunyasha

A servant in the Kirsanovs' house, a young girl who helps Fenechka take care of her little son Mitya. She really liked Bazarov.

Peter

Valet in the Kirsanovs' house. Stupid and proud person. He knew how to read syllables. At the end of the book, he married the daughter of a city gardener and received a good dowry. She chose him only because he had a watch.

Mitya

The little son of Nikolai Petrovich and Fenechka. He is not even a year old yet.

Matvey Ilyich

A noble relative of the Kirsanovs, to whom Arkady and Bazarov went from the estate. He advised them to go to the governor and get an invitation to the ball.

Governor

A fussy and forgetful person. He invited Bazarov and Kirsanov to his big ball, where they met Odintsova.

Princess X

Anna Sergeevna Odintsova's aunt, a thin and small old woman, a princess. After the death of her husband, Odintsova invited her to live on her estate and manage it. Now no one paid attention to her, although they treated her with respect and looked after her well. She died shortly after Bazarov's death.

Porfiry Platonich

Odintsova's neighbor, who often came to her to play cards. He was short, cheerful and already gray-haired. He loved to tell jokes.

Timofeich

Bazarov's father's clerk, Evgeniy's former uncle. He came to pick him up from Odintsova and said that his parents were really looking forward to him. He also came to her to bring her to the dying Bazarov.

Fedka

Servant in the Bazarovs' house. Upon the arrival of Bazarov and Arkady, he began to serve them. For the sake of their arrival, he was dressed in different clothes and given new boots, which he could not get used to.

Doctor Odintsova

He came with Odintsova to examine the sick Bazarov, immediately determined that he had no chance of survival, which he managed to whisper to her before she met him.

The main theme of Turgenev's novel is the problem of the relationship between the old and modern generations. The fate of all the characters is closely intertwined with the solution of the pressing problem; each of them defines their life priorities in their own way. In Turgenev’s novel, a conflict of generations is created; the main characters of “Fathers and Sons” are antagonists who do not want to understand each other.

Characteristics of the heroes “Fathers and Sons”

Main characters

Evgeny Vasilievich Bazarov	Adult, approximately 30 years old. Skeptical attitude towards the world around us. His image is dominated by cold and hard features. Unprincipled and not highly moral. The son of a doctor from a peasant family, he studies at the Faculty of Medicine and is self-confident. Dies from blood poisoning.
Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov	The cleanest and positive hero books. A 44-year-old widower, he is the father of Arkady, loves his son. Calm and balanced romantic. For a long time he experienced the death of his beloved wife, after which he became the husband of a simple poor peasant woman, Fenechka.
Arkady Nikolaevich Kirsanov	Romantic soul, sentimental, soft and a kind person. A nobleman who has studied at the university, he succumbs to the influence of Bazarov. Believes in real human feelings.
Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov	Former guards officer. 45-year-old brother of Nikolai Petrovich. A principled aristocrat, adheres to liberal views. Adherent to everything English, proud. Having experienced an unhappy love, he turned into a misanthrope, alienated himself from his relatives and went abroad.

Minor characters

Vasily Ivanovich Bazarov	An old man who loves his son, a former doctor, continues his medical practice, helping peasants free of charge. Cheerful and hardworking, loves to chat and philosophize, lives simply and modestly.
Arina Vlasevna Bazarova	old lady noble family, mother of Evgeniy. An overly suspicious and pious old lady, kindest soul little man, affectionate and smart, neat and tidy. He is very worried about the absurd death of his son.
Anna Sergeevna Odintsova	A cruel and calculating, widowed lady of 28 years old. Independent and arrogant, proud, loves luxury. Prefers to live in solitude, away from secular society. Unhappy woman. She has never loved anyone, she is getting married again for convenience.
Katerina	Raised strictly by her sister, she is a young, meek girl. Kind, modest, loves nature and music. Calm and smart. He is afraid of his sister's strict disposition. She married Arkady.
Victor Sitnikov	A merchant's son, ashamed of his pedigree. A man of small minds, blindly imitates everything new. Weak-willed and timid, behaves stupidly and vulgarly, is annoying and talkative in communication, dreams of becoming famous. Considers Bazarov his teacher. After getting married, he became henpecked.
Avdotya Kukshina	Friend of Bazarov, Kirsanov and Sitnikov. Landowner. Supporter of emancipation. Believes that carelessness in clothes and cheeky behavior are a sign of progressiveness. Lover of cigarettes and champagne.
Fenechka	Fenichka's image is included in the list minor characters works, although its description corresponds to the feminine ideal. A simple peasant girl, she is the embodiment of purity and naturalness. Cozy and homely, she becomes the wife of Nikolai Kirsanov.
Dunyasha	Fenichka's maid helps her take care of her child. A simple peasant woman, cheerful and playful with laughter, behaves strictly in the house.
Peter	The dull and narcissistic servant of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, having barely learned to read, considers himself a learned man.
Princess R. (Nelly)	An eccentric, mysterious person. The love of Pavel Petrovich’s life, who greatly influenced his fate. After the story of her death, Kirsanov lost the meaning of life.

This is a characteristic of the heroes of Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons,” which deals with the eternal mutual misunderstanding of generations. The work “Fathers and Sons” are heroes, the old and new generations of which became role models and found a response in the hearts of readers. The names of the characters, this table of characteristics, give a brief idea of ​​the main characters from Turgenev’s book. This compressed data can be used to write essays in literature classes.

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Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev was a nobleman whose condition was not regrettable. He had a stable, permanent income and was engaged in writing for his own self-fulfillment.

For a long time the author limited himself to writing short stories and 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 the country’s public life and gained 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, How

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"

In Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" a large number of heroes. 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 turns out 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, having fallen into parents' house, refuses them.

There are others in Turgenev's novel characters, which cannot be classified as episodic, but also main role to reveal the plot they do not have:

⇒ 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 young people, on the contrary, tried their best to support him, believing that the main character of the work is a vivid reflection of the world in which they live.

The opinions of the censors were also divided. An unusual and heated debate 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.

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.

History of creation

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, 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 unsightly light and the image of the main character was a little repulsive.

Analysis of the work

Main plot

The main character of the novel, the nihilist Bazarov, together with the young nobleman Arkady Kirsanov, arrives at 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 quiet life and arranged marriage.

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.

Heroes of Turgenev's novel

Evgeny Vasilievich Bazarov

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.

In addition to love, the main character does not share admiration for art, and 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.

Most interesting point in a novel, this 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.

Arkady Nikolaevich Kirsanov

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 calculation, 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 remarries, 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. During for long years I couldn’t come to my senses after the death of my beloved, but over the years I 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. Socialite in the past, 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 crippled him, 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.

Analysis of the novel's plot

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.