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The setting is in the mid-nineteenth century in the countryside of Russia. The Kirsanov family live in a mansion called New Suburb, which due to lack of sufficient money and income has a shabby derelict air around it. The land around it has been rented out to the serfs who farm on it. Most of the scenes in the novel take place at the house. Certain sections have been described around the townside, when Arcady and Bazarov go visiting. But the mainstay is the house where Nicholas Kirsanov has been residing. It is that time of the century, when in Russia, Nihilism was still an unaccepted doctrine and people especially the aristocratic gentry reacted with hostility to it. In such an atmosphere the theories of Nihilism are eulogized by Bazarov and condemned by the refined Paul Kirsanov LIST OF CHARACTERS Major Nicholas Kirsanov - The father of Arcady, he is an old, contended gentleman, with few accomplishments and a deep love for his son. Paul Kirsanov - Nicholas’ brother, who is a totally different character from Nicholas. Aristocratic and a dandy, he dislikes the modern modes of behavior and thinking. Arcady - Nicholas’ son, he has just returned from the university to spend time with his father. Bazarov - Arcady’s friend; a medical student. He is a firm Nihilist and invites debate and discussion on it without rancor. Minor Fenichka - A poor innkeeper’s daughter, who later begins to live in Nicholas’ house and bears him a child. Madame Anna Sergeyevna Odintzov - A brilliant, beautiful but cold-hearted woman with whom Bazarov falls hopelessly in love. Madame Eutoxia - A vivacious modern woman, who first introduces Madame Odintzov to Arcady and Bazarov. Katya - Anna’s sister, whom Arcady grows fond of. Vassily - Bazarov’s father, who loves his son tremendously. Arina - Vassily’s wife, who also loves her son a lot. For them, he is the reason for their entire existence. CONFLICT Protagonist - In this novel, the protagonist is clearly Bazarov. The entire novel revolves around him. There is a clear-cut development of his character in the novel. He has been structured as an intellectual, superior being, who firmly believes in the basics of Nihilism. Arcady too is an important character in the novel, but his personality is neither as strong nor as effective as Bazarov’s. Arcady is a more dependant character. Bazarov’s influence on Arcady, as well as the other people around him is impressive. He manages to convey his hypnotic personality over the reader, without much ado. Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev - MonkeyNotes by PinkMonkey.com PinkMonkey.com, Inc. Copyright ã 2001, All Rights Reserved. No further distribution without permission of PinkMonkey.com, Inc. 3 Antagonist - Though there is no evil character in the novel, who would create problems or crisis for the plot, it can be said that Paul Kirsanov is an antagonist to Bazarov. He dislikes him tremendously and doesn’t lose a chance to snub him or rail at him. Paul Kirsanov is depicted as a semi-pathetic character, wallowing in his past love and disinterested in any change in his suave lifestyle. Bazarov’s presence therefore is the proverbial fly in the ointment for him. Bazarov and Paul have a continual verbal duel going on between them, which in fact, even continues to become a physical duel. Climax - The climax of the novel is reached when Bazarov, who always considered himself above all menial feelings like love, falls passionately in love with Anna and is consequently rebuffed by her. Bazarov is unable to reach to this change in his own persona, which he thought he knew so well and is a defeated man. The degradation of Bazarov’s character has been well depicted. Bazarov’s interest in love and life gradually wanes and he is happy to lead a sedentary, passive life, without thought or action, in his hometown. Outcome - What happens thereafter is ordained. Bazarov, a crushed man, returns to his parent’s house and tries to lead a solitary life, devoted to medicine. He has no more interest left in love or life now. A final attempt at renewing his relationship with Anna turns out to be in vain and he returns home. His parents are obviously delighted to have him back in their fold. But he falls prey to his own doctrines and dies a victim of typhus. PLOT (Synopsis) ‘Fathers and Sons’ is a novel, which revolves around the intricate relationship between the father and the son. Bazarov and Arcady are close friends. Arcady brings his friend home to meet his father, Nicholas Kirsanov. Nicholas is happy to have his son, back home, and gladly accepts any friend of his as a welcome guest in their house. His brother, Paul however is wary of this stranger, who spouts nihilistic ideologies to them. Nicholas is a little apprehensive of his son’s reaction to the new woman in his life, Fenichka and their son, Mitya. But Arcady is an open-minded youth and welcomes them both into his family. Bazarov and Arcady meet Madame Anna Odintzov at a ball, and their lives undergo a drastic change. Arcady is captivated by Madame Odintzov’s brilliance but Madame has eyes, only for Bazarov. Bazarov tries to maintain his detached, indifferent manner towards her, but fails totally, and is finally captivated by her. Anna however is a frigid, aloof person who likes relationships to extend only to a certain extent. The moment she realizes the extent of his passions, she puts a distance between them. Bazarov gets the message and leaves. Arcady in the meanwhile has fallen in love with Anna’s younger sister, the shy Katya. They have an open, fulfilling relationship. Katya is in awe of her sister and lacks self-confidence. It is Arcady who brings out the best in her and instills confidence in her. Bazarov meets his old parents in the meanwhile and their joy at seeing their only son is untold. Yet Bazarov is pulled back to Madame, where he fails again. He returns to his home where he dies a piteous death, after contracting typhus. Arcady marries Katya and Anna marries a rich cold lawyer. Nicholas and Fenichka finally marry and they live together happily. Bazarov’s poor old parents spend the rest of their life in grief and remembrance of their lost son. The novel depicts the role of the gifted but impatient Bazarov in changing the lives of many. Arcady is Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev - MonkeyNotes by PinkMonkey.com PinkMonkey.com, Inc. Copyright ã 2001, All Rights Reserved. No further distribution without permission of PinkMonkey.com, Inc. 4 influenced by Bazarov and the Nicholas household goes through a great deal of turbulence. Even the normally placid and content Anna, finds herself at a loss, with Bazarov. The author, Ivan Turgenev has however remarkably managed to maintain a delicate balance in the relationships portrayed. THEME(S) Major Father-son relationship theme - The prominent theme in Turgenev’s ‘Fathers and Sons’ is the relationship between the two generations one of the fathers and the other of the sons. When a conflict does break out between the two generations, we find that the reader’s sympathies goes to the older generation. This conflict is further ignited by the very presence of Bazarov. Minor Theme of impact of main character on other characters - Along with the major theme we see a minor theme, almost correlated to the major one. This is the sheer impact that an individual like Bazarov can make on all the individuals around him. Turgenev was a writer of characters and his interest lay in people. So we can see how beautifully he has managed to link one Supreme Being to the other lesser-thinking people around him. MOOD The mood in the entire novel varies from scene to scene and from situation to situation. However, the main thing is that there is no frivolity or light heartedness in the novel. The love between the fathers and sons is somber and heavy with emotions. There is hardly any tomfoolery to be seen. The typical behavior of the Russian aristocracy as against the peasant class has been displayed. The mood therefore throughout is mostly serious and somber. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Author Information Ivan Turgenev one of the most critically acclaimed writers in Russian literature of the 19th century was born in Orel, in 1818. Educated at home, he later attended the Universities of Moscow and St. Petersburg. In 1839 he had a stint at the University of Berlin where he acquired the Western values and culture for which he was much criticized in Russia. His first venture into literature was through his publication ‘Parasha’ a tale in verse. In 1852, Turgenev abandoned poetry and drama to devote his time to fiction. His first successful novel, ‘A sportsman’s sketches’ (1852) gave the contrast between the hapless peasants and unpleasant masters. During the next ten years, he produced ‘Rudin’ (1856), ‘A Nest of Gentle Folk’ (1858), ‘On the Eve’ (1860), ‘First Love’ (1860) and ‘Fathers and Sons’ (1862) some of which attracted the critics attention. Ivan Turgenev through his novels transcended topical problems. His greatest novel ‘Otsy-ideti’ (1862: Fathers and Sons) dealing with the generation gap, set left-wing writers against him, and he never regained popularity with the young progressives. Deeply offended with the continued criticism by the radical press, Turgenev left Russia for France and became an associate of Flaubert and the French literary world. ‘Smoke’ (1867) and ‘Virgin Soil’ (1877) showed the depth of his bitterness and analyzed the Russian revolutionary movement. However his last visit to Russia in 1880 marked a triumphant return to the muchmaligned writer. He died in 1883 at Bougival, near Paris. Through his novels Turgenev enhanced his reputation as a liberal minded thinker and as one of the first prose Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev - MonkeyNotes by PinkMonkey.com PinkMonkey.com, Inc. Copyright ã 2001, All Rights Reserved. No further distribution without permission of PinkMonkey.com, Inc. 5 writers of the day. He popularized the term ‘Nihilism’ through the figure of Bazarov, the nihilist. For western readers, Turgenev remains one of the most interesting of the Great Russian novelists. Historical Information The term ‘Russian literature’ is used to describe the literature of different areas, in different periods namely, the old Russian period which extends from the 11th to the end of the 17th century and the modern period which is sub-divided into the pre-Revolutionary period extends from the end of the 17th century to 1917, and the post revolutionary period extends from 1917 onwards. During the whole of the Old Russian period, literature was influenced by the connections between Russia and Byzantium and between literature and the Orthodox Church. The beginnings of modern literature were marked by growing westernization already noticeable in the 17th century and increased by the reforms of Peter I, the Great. From the beginning of the 18th to the early 20th century western influence was predominant especially that of France and England. Turgenev, all his life, was considered a westerner by the Russian critics. Towards the end of his life, he became practically an honorary Frenchman of letters. Post-revolutionary literature shows tendencies to some extent in relation to political circumstances and to the close supervision exercised by the communist party on all aspects of life and culture. CHAPTER SUMMARIES WITH NOTES Chapter 1 Summary Nicholas Petrovich Kirsanov with his valet, Peter, are waiting for the arrival of his son. Nicholas owns a farm, which is rented out to some serfs. Both he and his brother Paul were born in Russia and had led a tutored life. Both had registered in the army but Nicholas had to leave, because of an injury. Paul meanwhile had continued and has got his commission in a Guards regiment. Nicholas had later married a cultured girl called Masha, who had borne him their son, Arcady. Ten years later his wife had died, leaving him in a shock, which he never came out of. When his son Arcady grew up, he took his son to St. Petersburg and stayed with him for three years, while he pursued his course. Though the last term, Nicholas is unable to stay with his son and he returns to his farm. He is now waiting for his son’s return after having completed his studies. Peter, the valet, spots his arrival and reports it to Nicholas and soon Arcady comes forward to hug his father. Notes The novel begins with a detailed description of Nicholas’ background and life. The characters are introduced but less importance is given to Arcady in this chapter. He will be drawn out in detail, later. A regimental childhood is what Nicholas had gone through with great importance been given to education, the military and later, the degree. His marriage to Masha was probably considered an ill match by his parents but they were happy while she lived. The wife’s loss had probably strengthened and intensified the tie between father and son, which is why Nicholas is seen awaiting his son’s arrival so eagerly. Arcady is merely introduced as a beardless sun tanned youth, in this chapter but the bonding with his father is already evident. Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev - MonkeyNotes by PinkMonkey.com PinkMonkey.com, Inc. Copyright ã 2001, All Rights Reserved. No further distribution without permission of PinkMonkey.com, Inc. 6 A technique of the author to be noted is the manner in which he interrupts the narrative to provide background information. Chapter 2 Summary Nicholas is brimming with happiness on seeing his son and cannot take his eyes off him. Arcady introduces his friend Bazarov to his father. His full name is Eugene Vassilich. Nicholas is pleased and happy at Bazarov's visit. Arcady and his father ride the horses in their barouche, a carriage, and Bazarov follows in another vehicle. Notes This chapter is an interim very short chapter. The deep bond between the father and son is evident in the manner in which they greet each other. Another character is introduced, a friend of Arcady, who has come along with him to visit. He is a tall, lanky man with an air of self-assurance and intelligence about him. When Nicholas worries as to how Bazarov would travel, as the barouche could accommodate only two, Arcady interrupts him, saying that Bazarov would adjust in the carriage and asks him not to be ceremonious with him. As he puts it "he’s a grand fellow and very simple at heart." Chapter 3 Summary Arcady inquires about his uncle, Paul. Nicholas is so happy to see his son that he keeps touching and patting him. Arcady requests his father to be nice to his friend as he held his friendship with him in high esteem. He explains that he is in the medical faculty. Nicholas voices his worry over the peasants, who had not been paying their rent. He tells his son how he has been trying to change the farm system by removing the serfs and establishing them as tenant farmers. Nicholas fills him on the past happenings of the death of his nanny. But on the whole, there is not much change in their place, Maryino. Finally Nicholas lets out, in a soft voice that a girl Fenichka was living with him. He is embarrassed speaking about her, but Arcady is not upset, but is in fact glad about it. Nicholas is even anxious, as to how his son's friend will react to the situation. But Arcady reassures him that there is no need for his father to be anxious regarding his friend. In the distance, the forests are seen, but Nicholas admits that he has sold them, for some much-needed money. Finally they reach their house, Maryino, also known as the "New Suburb." Notes A long discussion between father and son is presented in this chapter, where the father fills him up on the changes taken place during his absence.