The book “Fathers and Sons” was written in the sixties of the nineteenth century. This is a story about unhappy love, new beliefs and eternal problem mutual understanding between different generations. Exactly last topic presented in the novel from various points of view.
The basis of disagreement in the novel
The topic of mutual understanding between parents and children is an eternal one. It was especially successfully revealed by the Russian classic. The conflict of generations in the novel “Fathers and Sons” is a difference in views on the political, cultural and social situation in Russia in the second half of the 19th century. It was 1860 that became a turning point in the history of the empire. Constant uprisings of dissatisfied peasants forced the government to cancel serfdom. This divided people into two camps.
In the first there were representatives of the old world, nobles and rich people. The second part is supporters of a new, free era, where people were valued and respected. Evgeny Bazarov, the hero of the novel “Fathers and Sons,” belonged to those who wanted revolution. He is a nihilist, which means he does not recognize authorities and laughs at generally accepted values. His ideas are shared by Arkady and his beloved Anna. But at the same time, he becomes an enemy for a close friend and for his parents.
A clash of views
The conflict gains its greatest development due to the stubbornness and misunderstanding of two representatives of different generations and eras. This is a meeting of the beliefs of the revolutionary democrat and the liberal nobleman Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. The first one tries to work for the benefit of society. The second one cares more about his own benefit. However, both of them are energetic and confident in defending their beliefs. In general, they are varied.
They relate to religion, philosophy and even poetry. Characteristics of the novel “Fathers and Sons” are short description events that actually happened in Russia in the 1860s. Conversations and are conversations between people of those turning-point years for society.
Discrepancies in the Kirsanov family
It is also important to consider the relationship between Arkady and Nikolai Petrovich. These two, father and son, are also representatives of different generations. Arkady - best friend Evgeniy Bazarov and part-time his obedient student. He strives to understand nihilism and immerse himself in the theory of democracy as much as possible.
His father is an avid liberal who is ashamed of his connection with common people. In particular, he is ashamed of his love for a young woman named Fanechka. The first conflict of generations in the novel “Fathers and Sons” arises between the father and Arkady. But the love they cherish for each other is stronger than the misunderstanding regarding their views on society.
Kinship is stronger than conviction
So, over time, Arkady abandons his theory and stops trying to join in the creation of a new world. Nikolai Petrovich is not far behind. At the end of the novel, he marries the commoner Fanechka. And Arkady chooses the modest and quiet Catherine as his wife. Their conflict is resolved.
Characteristics of the novel “Fathers and Sons” - an analysis of the society of that time. Turgenev shows that Bazarov’s thoughts did not take root, the conflict that arose in this family hesitated, never reaching logical solution. But at the end of the book, during the double wedding of father and son, the author makes a minor point and says that neither of them looks happy.
The author and Bazarov's parents
Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev does not hide his attitude towards the older generation and instills love for this in his reader. His tender feelings of gratitude and respect can be seen in the description of Dear, charming spouses, from the first lines we are attracted by the warmth and friendliness that emanates from them.
The conflict of generations in the novel “Fathers and Sons” could not have been so vivid if the author had not so clearly revealed the images of old people to the reader. So, he introduces us to Arina Vlasevna and Vasily Ivanovich. Mother is a dear old lady, she believes in God and folk superstitions. She is the embodiment of hospitality, peace and kindness. Father, a respectable man who rightly earned the respect of his acquaintances. He is sincere, warm-hearted and even tries to join the new ideas of the generation.
Their only son is the greatest joy in their life. Knowing about his difficult character, his parents try to indulge him as much as possible. They tiptoe around him and show only part of their feelings for their beloved child. Evgeny Bazarov, main character the novel “Fathers and Sons” is revealed to us from the other side in our own home.
The role of Bazarov's whole life
An unapproachable heart is not so unapproachable. From the first lines of the novel, the reader observes how Eugene treats the older generation with disdain. Corrosive, pompous, narcissistic, he refuses any other people's thoughts. His arrogance and coldness are repulsive. He is inhuman and indifferent to old age.
But once he gets to his parents' house, most of his contempt disappears. main topic In the novel “Fathers and Sons”, the difference between generations is clearly expressed precisely in the relationship between Evgeniy and his parents. A change in environment changes Bazarov's way of thinking. He becomes softer, more tolerant, more gentle. Despite the fact that he rarely visits his homeland, he passionately loves his loved ones, although he diligently hides this behind a mask of absent-mindedness. His main problem is that he never learned to express feelings, especially if it concerns light, positive emotions. It was precisely this wall of inability and misunderstanding that parents faced.
Conflict of views
In his work, Turgenev revealed a simple and painful truth - the difference between generations. Bazarov's old-fashioned parents only worsen, although not intentionally, their relationship with their son. All the characters in the novel “Fathers and Sons” are very strong personalities, and for them to break their own views in favor of others is unacceptable.
The young man does not share his philosophy with his parents, representatives of another generation. They are devout, and he is an atheist, they are people of the first half of the century, he is of the second. And the parents, knowing about their son’s isolation, do not try to get into his world of new principles. So, both the first and the second rejoice at the small amount of intimacy that exists.
Perhaps, if Eugene’s life path had been longer, he himself had become a father, then over the years he would have understood what was not revealed to him, a young dreamer. And then the conflict of generations in the novel “Fathers and Sons” could find a logical solution. But the author decided to correct the situation in the destinies of his readers through the grief of the characters.
A world that has not matured to Bazarov's views
The events in the novel take place from May 1859 to the winter of 1860. These are significant years for the history of Russia. It was then that new ideals were born. And the first who began to distribute them was Evgeny Bazarov. But the world was not ready for his beliefs, so the only thing left for the lonely hero was to give up his attempts to change the country. But fate chose a different path for him.
Death put an end to suffering on earth, where no one understood him. Along with Bazarov’s death, all the conflicts that the author created in the work were resolved. The story of the novel “Fathers and Sons” is the story of a rootless man. He was forgotten by friends, supporters and his beloved. And only the elderly parents continued to mourn their only joy.
The problem of “fathers and sons” arises in all areas human life: in the family, in the work team, in society. This issue can be resolved if the older generation is more tolerant of the younger generation, perhaps agreeing with him somewhere, and the “children” will show more respect.
The main problem in the novel by I.S. Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons" is the problem of the contradiction of generations, the relationship between fathers and children. Turgenev examines this contradiction from two sides: from the social side (the conflict between aristocrats and nihilists) and from the philosophical side (the direct conflict between fathers and children).
Social conflict lies in the confrontation between different layers of society: the noble class, which defends the existing order, and the followers of the theory of nihilism, who deny authorities, principles and values. Turgenev reveals this confrontation with the help of the images of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, a representative of the aristocracy, and Evgeny Vasilyevich Bazarov, a typical nihilist.
Pavel Petrovich is a nobleman, a former brilliant officer who enjoyed enormous success in society. Everything changed him tragic love to Princess R.
Our experts can check your essay according to the Unified State Exam criteria
Experts from the site Kritika24.ru
Teachers of leading schools and current experts of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.
After her death, he lost hopes of happiness and moved to his brother in Maryino, where he retained “all the habits of a socialite” and aristocratic manners, not typical for rural areas: reading in English, the habit of dressing in the latest fashion, careful care of appearance, etc. For Pavel Petrovich great value represent aristocracy, the principles and foundations of the last century, culture - what was valuable to the ancestors.
Evgeny Bazarov is the absolute opposite of Pavel Petrovich. He is smart, educated, interested in natural sciences; has a thirst for activity, strives to accomplish something great in his life, and is capable of development. But at the same time, Evgeny is a materialist, proud, arrogant, cynical, disdainful of people, selfish, and immoral. Denial of past experience, reduction of human relationships to physiological instincts, unprincipledness (in accordance with the theory of nihilism) emphasizes Bazarov’s disadvantages and aggravates them. Everything spiritual that has always been important for humanity: art, love, friendship, goodness, has no meaning for him.
It is precisely because of differences in worldviews, in values, in ideas that clashes between these characters, and therefore between aristocrats and nihilists, occur. What is considered by aristocrats to be the basis of life is rejected by nihilists as outdated, no longer true and hindering progress.
By philosophical conflict, Turgenev directly means the conflict of generations, older and younger. In the relationship between Arkady and his father, Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov, there are almost no significant contradictions; there is mutual understanding and warmth between them. Although at the beginning of the novel Arkady is presented as a like-minded person of Bazarov, as events develop we see that he is much more like his father in his way of thinking, and his commitment to nihilism is nothing more than an attempt to appear more mature, confident and independent. Just like for Nikolai Petrovich, love, family, friendship are important for Arkady - what makes a person happy.
Bazarov's relationship with his parents is much more complicated: on the one hand, Evgeny loves them, although he does not often show his feelings; on the other hand, Bazarov is bored with them, he cannot understand and accept their way of life. Both Bazarov’s father and mother adhere to a traditional way of life. Eugene wanted the people closest to him to share his views and thoughts, and they really tried to do this, although unsuccessfully. This is where the problem of generations misunderstanding each other arose.
Thus, Turgenev, who himself belongs to the generation of “fathers,” nevertheless stands on the side of Bazarov. “Turgenev did not like merciless denial, and yet the personality of a merciless denier emerges as a strong personality, and inspires involuntary respect in every reader,” said D. Pisarev.
Updated: 2017-08-09
Attention!
Thank you for your attention.
If you notice an error or typo, highlight the text and click Ctrl+Enter.
By doing so, you will provide invaluable benefit to the project and other readers.
For example, Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons,” written in the 60s of the 19th century.
The novel is considered significant for that time, and the image of the main character Evgeny Bazarov was perceived by young people as an example to follow of uncompromisingness, admiration for authorities and old truths. Bazarov is a “nihilist commoner” and in his reasoning the priority of the “useful” over the “beautiful” prevails, when in everything there is a certain touch of denial inherent in early atheism. Now it would be more correct to call such a person a demagogue, but this is no longer important.
Important in in this case is the conflict between fathers and children described by Ivan Turgenev using the example of Bazarov and Arkady Kirsanov, who came to Maryino and spent some time staying with the Kirsanovs (Arkady’s father and uncle). Tensions with the elder Kirsanovs force Bazarov to leave Maryino and go to provincial town, where he meets the rich widow Odintsova. By the end of the novel, Bazarov’s skepticism was lost due to various life circumstances.
Nihilism mid-19th century century is based on denial and skepticism of love, art, generally accepted morality and religion. A nihilist is a revolutionary democrat who denies the conservatism of the state's public policy. The movement for women's emancipation complemented nihilism in Russia and contributed to a change in public consciousness after the “Declaration of the Rights of Woman” was promulgated in 1789, demanding political rights for women on an equal basis with men.
In this case, the conflict between fathers and children is illustrated by the example of the average age level when the role of children is played by already established individuals who are capable of having children of their own. Therefore, it would be correct to call this conflict the conflict of “Fathers and Grandfathers”, fathers are the middle, and grandfathers are the outgoing generation in system construction life path humanity. Fathers in this case are an age limit that determines the period of children’s release from subordination to their father’s will.
The situation of conflict between relatives arises against the background of their legal property rights, when until the 20th century all property rights of the family were on the side of the father and were supported by existing legislation. Article 1534 of the Penal Code prosecuted for inflicting personal offense on a father or mother through any offensive action. Thus, the law protected the right of the head of the family to raise family members and dispose family life.
The nihilists fought against such conservatism, which consolidated the advantages of the “Fathers.” In this case, family members did not have the right to claim any part of the property, and there was an “allocation” when the father separated his son for self-management farm, transferring parts of the family property to him at his own discretion. It is difficult to say whether such relations of forced respect for elders and the assignment of property rights to them have been preserved in today’s society. Although there is a legal right of parents to receive alimony from their children for their maintenance.
Logically building what we know historical events, we come to the conclusion that the generational conflict noted by Ivan Turgenev exists as a kind of natural given that distinguishes a person in his development. The triune principle in this case is manifested in the systematic construction of a person’s living space: past – present – future, when this relationship at the everyday level will look like grandfathers – fathers – grandchildren.
It turns out that the conflict of generations is laid down by nature itself for evolutionary transformations in the surrounding world. This conflict is manifested in the process of raising children, when parents are forced in some cases to suppress the child’s psyche by subordinating and forcing him to fulfill any requirements for the child’s successful adaptation in society. Until the 20th century, as already mentioned, children were subordinate to their parents and financially dependent on them.
IN modern society the child is forced to obey his parents until he reaches adulthood. At this time, children are often aggressive towards their parents, who, fulfilling the social requirements of society, must prepare a new member of society and teach him all the requirements of existing morality. At this moment, both sides of the conflict, both parents and their children, may have feelings of acute hostility towards each other.
Thus, each person goes through all stages of his development from the moment of his birth, the birth and upbringing of his children, until the moment of his departure from the earthly plane. And every time he faces the problem of self-affirmation when his own interests collide with the interests of his parents, and then with the interests of his children. These features of human behavior in different transformations are interpreted differently in esoteric and religious teachings.
These teachings explain at the level of knowledge of a person and his “ego”, which has its own personal “soul”, that fathers and children are different people, having a blood relationship, but each with their own psyche. This psyche or “ego”, when determining its place in the community and asserting “selfhood,” builds conflicting relationships with the outside world.
The very title of the work suggests that it will resolve the eternal question - the relationship between generations. To some extent this is fair. But the author’s main attention is drawn to the conflict of different worldviews - liberals and revolutionary democrats, called nihilists. Turgenev created the image of a new man, a commoner by birth, a democrat by political views. The contrast between the views of commoners and nobles, democrats and liberals is the basis of the novel’s conflict.
Among the heroes of the novel, the most active representatives of irreconcilable worldviews are Evgeny Bazarov and “aristocrat to the core” Pavel Kirsanov. Pavel Petrovich was a typical representative of his era and environment. He followed the “principles” everywhere and in everything, even continuing to live in the village as before. He kept his habits unchanged, although from a practical point of view it was inconvenient. But for the nihilist Bazarov it looked simply ridiculous.
Pavel Petrovich is about forty-five years old, he is always shaven, wears a strict English suit, the collar of his shirt is always white and starched. “The whole appearance of Pavel Petrovich, elegant and thoroughbred, retained youthful harmony and that desire upward, away from the earth, which for the most part disappears after the twenties.” In appearance and by conviction, Pavel Petrovich is an aristocrat. True, as Pi-sarev notes, “he... has no convictions, but he has habits that he values very much,” and he “out of habit proves in disputes the need for “principles.” What are these “principles”? First of all, this is a view of the state structure. A nobleman and aristocrat himself, he holds the same views as most nobles of that time. Pavel Petrovich is for the established order, he is a monarchist.
Pavel Petrovich cannot tolerate dissent and fiercely defends doctrines that “his actions constantly contradicted.” He loves to talk about Russian peasants, but when he meets them, he “wrinkles and sniffs cologne.” Kirsanov talks about Russia, about the “Russian idea,” but at the same time uses great amount foreign words. He speaks with pathos about the public good, about serving the fatherland, but he himself sits with folded hands, satisfied with a well-fed and calm life.
But, seeing that he cannot defeat the nihilist in a dispute, cannot shake his moral foundations, or rather, the lack of them, Pavel Petrovich resorts to the last resort of resolving conflicts of this kind. This is a duel. Evgeniy accepts the challenge, although he considers this the trick of a crazy “aristocrat”. They shoot, and Evgeniy wounds Kirsanov. The duel did not help solve their problems. With the help of a partly satirical depiction of these events, the author emphasized the absurdity of Pavel Petrovich’s behavior, because it is ridiculous and even senseless to believe that you can force the younger generation to think the same way as the generation of “fathers”. They part, but each of them remains unconvinced. Bazarov only managed to violate peace of mind Pavel Petrovich,
For young people, nihilism is a certain political and life position. Many perceive it as a fashionable fad (Sitnikov, Kukshina, Arkady). Deny everything: authorities, science, art, the experience of previous generations and not listen to anything - that’s their motto. But sooner or later they will all grow up, start families and remember their beliefs as the mistakes of their youth. And now they are only vulgarizing the ideas that Bazarov preaches.
However, the main character is aware of his thoughts and is firm in his convictions. He is interested in natural sciences and intends to continue the work of his father, a retired doctor, who does not give up practicing medicine even in the wilderness of the village.
Evgeny scoffs at Pavel Petrovich’s “principles”, considering them unnecessary and simply frivolous. Bazarov finds that it is better to deny, and he denies. To Pavel Petrovich’s exclamation: “But we need to build!”, he replies: “This is no longer our business.” Evgeny speaks sarcastically about romantics, but, having met love, he realizes the romance in himself. Life treated Bazarov cruelly. Not believing in love, he fell in love, but his love was rejected.
Looking at the album of Saxon Switzerland, Bazarov says to Odintsova: “You don’t assume in me artistic meaning“Yes, I really don’t have it in me, but these species could interest me from a geological point of view.” Bazarov tries to debunk ineffective “principles” and does not accept illusory dreaminess. But at the same time, he rejects the great achievements of culture (“Raphael is not worth a penny”) and perceives nature in a utilitarian way.
Bazarov dies with the words: “Russia needs me... No, apparently he doesn’t need me. And who needs a wife?” This is the tragic result of the life of Eugene.
The author's attitude towards his characters is not at all simple. The writer himself belongs to the generation raised in German universities, he is a nobleman and a liberal. But he remarkably managed to show the change in forms of consciousness, as well as the inevitable tragedy of people who are the first to take a step forward towards a new world order.
In the novel by I.S. Turgenev “Fathers and Sons” political, philosophical and moral problems. The work touches on the so-called “eternal issues”: the relationship between the older and younger generations (“fathers and sons”), love and friendship, life choices...
In the novel Fathers and Sons, Turgenev depicted the socio-political struggle in Russia on the eve of the reform of 1861. Progressive-minded Russian people understood that changes in society were necessary, that the old economic structure and the old state...
Turgenev’s six novels, created over a period of more than twenty years (“Rudin” -1855, “Nove” -1876), represent an entire era in the history of the Russian socio-psychological novel. The first novel "Rudin" was written in record time short term- 49 days (from...
Bazarov's personality closes in on itself, because outside of it and around it there are almost no elements related to it. DI. Pisarev I wanted to make him a tragic face... I dreamed of a gloomy, wild, large figure, half grown out of the soil,...
“In depicting nature, Turgenev went further than Pushkin. He perceives his accuracy and fidelity in descriptions of natural phenomena... But compared to Pushkin's, Turgenev's landscape is more psychological. Turgenev’s nature itself lives, breathes, changes in every...
“Chatsky is inevitable with every change of one century to another. Every business that requires updating evokes the shadow of Chatsky,” Goncharov wrote in his critical study“A million torments.” Indeed, Chatsky’s position on the social ladder may be different...