About the novel. The novel by I. S. Turgenev became a landmark work of its era. The nobility class was becoming a thing of the past, giving way to a new generation of young leaders. Turgenev in his work managed to show the depth of the conflict between the past and the future. Summary Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" chapter by chapter will give you the opportunity to get acquainted with storyline books and prepare to work with the work.
Chapter 1
Kirsanov Nikolai Petrovich is the first hero with whom the author introduces the reader. He is waiting for his son, who is returning home after finishing his studies, accompanied by a friend. While waiting, he indulges in memories. After finishing his studies, he married beautiful woman and left government service. He settled in a modest place called Maryino, where his child was born. Nikolai Petrovich is worried because he has not seen his son for a long time.Chapter 2
Arkadyarrives accompanied by a friend, Evgeny Vasilyevich Bazarov. The author focuses on his appearance:
“Long and thin (face), with a wide forehead, a flat upward, pointed downward nose, large greenish eyes and drooping sand-colored sideburns, it was enlivened by a calm smile and expressed self-confidence and intelligence.”
Arkady asks his father not to stand on ceremony with the guest, to treat Bazarov with simplicity. Together they go to Maryino. The Kirsanovs are riding in a carriage, and Bazarov is behind them, in a tarantass.
Chapter 3
Arkady talks with his father, admiring the beauty of the surrounding nature. Everything seems special, despite the obvious poverty and decay. He restrains his emotions so that Bazarov does not see them, because for some unknown reason he feels awkward because of his enthusiasm. Arkady notices that things are going badly on the estate, traces of desolation are visible. He makes plans to change things. The father feels his son’s condition and himself feels delight and happiness from his return home. He begins to quote Pushkin, but is interrupted by Evgeniy’s request for a light.Chapter 4
The arriving gentlemen are greeted by the young servant Peter. He accompanies them to the living room, where Kirsanov Sr. orders dinner to be served. They are met at the house by Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, Arkady's uncle. The author pays special attention to his appearance, which is strikingly different from Bazarov’s appearance.“He looked about forty-five years old: his short-cropped White hair shone with a dark shine, like new silver; his face, bilious, but without wrinkles, unusually regular and clean, as if carved with a thin and light chisel, showed traces of remarkable beauty; The light, black, oblong eyes were especially beautiful.”
The dinner is a mess, and antipathy arises between Uncle Arkady and the guest.
Chapter 5
In the morning, Evgeniy goes to inspect the area, he is looking for a swamp. Two local boys, who volunteered to help catch the frogs, leave with him. At this time, the Kirsanovs are having breakfast. Arkady goes to meet a girl who lives with his father. He learns that they have a little son, his half-brother. The news brings him into indescribable delight. Uncle Arkady comes to the table. He looks immaculate. The conversation turns to Bazarov, and Arkady reports that he is a nihilist. This surprises older relatives. Evgeniy appears, covered in mud, carrying a bag of frogs.Chapter 6
Having changed his clothes, Bazarov goes to the table and enters into a discussion with Pavel Petrovich about the importance of art and science in human life.“A decent chemist is twenty times more useful than any poet”
These words reflect Bazarov's position. The brothers leave to talk to the clerk. Arkady wants to tell his friend sad story life of Pavel Petrovich.
Chapter 7
Society predicted a dizzying career for Pavel Petrovich. As an officer, he was extremely popular among women. But everything changed when he met Princess R, she turned his head. He achieved her love, but she quickly cooled off towards him. For a long time he pursued the woman, and after her death he withdrew into himself and, leaving the world, settled with his brother.Chapter 8
Pavel Petrovich comes to visit Fenechka to see his six-month-old nephew. He thinks he is very much like his brother. Fenechka is afraid of Pavel Petrovich and feels awkward from his presence, but she is pleased with the attention he pays to her son. After his brother’s arrival, Pavel Petrovich hastily leaves Feni’s room.Chapter 9
Fenechka meets Bazarov. He takes a liking to her and offers his services as a doctor. He considers Arkady's father a bad master and ridicules his passion for music. This is unpleasant for Arkady.Chapter 10
Life in Maryino is returning to normal. The courtyard peasants love Bazarov very much, Nikolai Petrovich is afraid of him bad influence on his son. Pavel Petrovich despises his friend Arkady.One day they enter into a conversation about the benefits and uselessness of the aristocracy, during which Pavel Kirsanov loses control of himself, breaks into a scream and gets irritated, while Bazarov remains calm. Arkady and Evgeny retire into the room. Nikolai Petrovich recalls how in his youth he often argued with his mother.
Chapter 11
The dispute between Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich gives rise to deep thoughts in the soul of Father Arkady. He realizes that he is old, and an abyss separates them from Arkady. This depresses a man.The young people decide to go to the city for a while and visit a distant relative of the Kirsanovs.
Chapter 12
A distant relative of Arkady is taking his friends to the governor. They receive an invitation to the governor's ball. Bazarov sees his student “nihilist” Sitnikov on the street, he calls young people to join him and visit Evdokia Kukshina.Chapter 13
Evdokia Kukshina turns out to be an unpleasant lady with cheeky behavior. She considers herself to be a progressive, free-thinking youth. Evdokia rained down endless questions, not giving anyone the opportunity to answer them. In a conversation, she mentions Anna Odintsova as an interesting, but insufficiently emancipated woman. Bazarov and Arkady leave Kukshina’s house when she, drunk, begins to sing.Chapter 14
At the governor's ball, Arkady is introduced to Odintsova. The woman is very different from the other ladies present at the event. She exudes mystery. She invites Arkady and his friend to visit her. Bazarov is also amazed by Odintsova, but does not show it, making caustic remarks about her.Chapter 15
Left orphaned, Anna and her sister Katerina invited their aunt to live with them. Some time later, Anna married Odintsov, who was older than her, but at the same time kind person and spouse. After his death, she settled in Nikolskoye, where she invited her new acquaintances to come and visit. Arkady sees that Evgeny has developed feelings for Odintsova.Chapter 16
Bazarov and Kirsanov come to Nikolskoye and stay for a few days. Odintsova is clearly passionate about Evgeny, which confuses Arkady very unpleasantly. He, in turn, spends a lot of time with the owner’s sister, Katya.Chapter 17
15 days pass unnoticed. Bazarov is going to go to his parents, but Odintsova does not want to let him go. They start talking about love, but Evgeny feels that Anna Sergeevna is playing and flirting with him.Arkady is jealous of Odintsov for his friend.
Chapter 18
In the morning, Anna Sergeevna wants to continue the interrupted conversation. She and Evgeny retire, and he reveals his feelings. She is frightened by his passion, Anna refuses him. Calm remains unchanged and important in Odintsova’s life.Chapter 19
Bazarov apologizes to the mistress of the house for his incontinence. Both feel awkward. Taking advantage of Sitnikov's arrival, Arkady and Evgeniy go to native home Bazarova.Chapter 20
Evgeniy's parents meet them at home. They haven't seen their son for a long time. The parents try to please their son in everything, but are a little afraid of him. Evgeny refuses to talk with his father and, citing fatigue, goes home.Chapter 21
Early in the morning Arkady met Vasily Ivanovich, in a conversation he said that he was very proud of his son’s achievements. Bazarov wants to go back to Maryino, he gives his word to return home in a month. His elders are upset by Evgeniy’s act.Chapter 22
On the way to Maryino, friends decide to visit Odintsova, but receive a cold reception. After staying with her for several hours, they set off on the road. They again come to the Kirsanovs' house. After some time, Arkady decides to visit Anna Sergeevna’s house.Chapter 23
Arkady leaves, but Bazarov remains in Maryino and works very hard. One day he kisses Fenechka, Pavel Petrovich sees this. He challenges Eugene to a duel without telling his brother the true reasons for this.Chapter 24
During the duel, Pavel Petrovich receives a slight wound in the leg. His opponent treats his wound himself. Kirsanov is delirious for some time, and, having recovered, begs his brother to legalize his relationship with Fenechka.Chapter 25
Katya and Arkady become very close. They spend a lot of time together. Bazarov arrives and talks about the events that happened in Maryino. Odintsova begs him to join them. He accepts the invitation.Chapter 26
In the morning, Arkady confesses his feelings for Katya and asks permission to marry her. Odintsova agrees, subject to the blessing of the marriage by Arkady's father. Evgeny Vasilyevich goes to his parents.Chapter 27
Bazarov becomes infected with a fatal infection while performing an autopsy on a dead man. Vasily Ivanovich is terrified, he is powerless to help his son. Bazarov sends Odintsova news of his illness. She arrives with the doctor. But medicine can no longer save Evgeniy. Odintsova understands that she feels nothing for him except pity, and is unable to give consolation. Bazarov leaves this world.
Chapter 28
Six months later, Nikolai Petrovich marries Fenechka, and Arkady takes Katya as his wife. Pavel Petrovich goes abroad, and Kukshina goes there too. Sitnikov starts a family. Anna Sergeevna becomes the wife of the future politician. This ends the brief retelling of the novel “The Captain’s Daughter,” which includes only the most important events from full version works!
On May 20, 1859, landowner Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov was waiting for his son Arkady to return from St. Petersburg: he graduated from the university with the rank of candidate. Nikolai Petrovich and Pavel Petrovich - sons military general 1812, died early from a stroke. The mother also soon passed away, so the sons had to make their own way in life.
Pavel became a military man, like his father, and Nikolai married the daughter of an official and was happily married. The couple spent all their time together: reading, walking, playing the piano four hands, raising their son. But the wife died after 10 years of a happy life, and the widower took up economic reforms and raised his son.
II
Arkady introduces his father to his friend Evgeny Vasilyevich Bazarov. The young man was tall, his thin face with a wide forehead, greenish eyes and drooping sand-colored sideburns expressed self-confidence and intelligence. The dark blond hair was thick and long. Dressed casually - in a long robe with tassels. Arkady assures his father that Bazarov is a wonderful person. He and his father sit in a carriage, and his friend rides in a tarantass.
III
On the way, Arkady asks his father about the health of his uncle, who also lives on the Maryino estate, named so by Nikolai Petrovich in honor of deceased wife Maria, and talks about his friend. He says that Evgeniy is studying natural sciences and wants to take the doctor’s exams.
The father complains that his men get drunk, don’t work well, and don’t pay their dues. He reports that Arkady's nanny has died, but the old servant Prokofich is still alive. There are almost no changes in Maryino, but Kirsanov had to sell the forest because he needed money. Arkady sees how dilapidated everything is and demands obvious changes. But returning home fills him with joy. A few minutes later, both crews stop next to a new wooden house - this is Maryino, or Novaya Slobodka, and for the peasants - Bobyliy Khutor.
IV
Only the servant Peter meets the Kirsanovs. Pavel Petrovich, Arkady's uncle, arrives. Even in the countryside, he continues to follow English fashion, so he goes out in a dark English suite with a fashionable low tie, his feet in patent leather ankle boots. He has short-cropped gray hair and Beautiful face, especially the eyes. Kirsanov has a youthful build. He offers Arkady a beautiful hand with well-groomed nails.
The uncle greets his nephew by shaking his hand, and then kisses him, that is, lightly touches his fragrant mustache to his cheeks. He does not shake hands with Bazarov; on the contrary, he puts it in his pocket. The young people leave the road to “clean up”, and Pavel asks his brother who “this hairy one” is. After dinner, Evgeniy tells his friend that his uncle is eccentric, and his father is a “nice guy,” but he doesn’t know anything about farming. The young people soon fall asleep, but the older Kirsanovs do not sleep for a long time.
V
Early in the morning, Bazarov goes to the swamp to get frogs for experiments. Arkady meets Fedosya Nikolaevna, his father's new wife, and his half-brother Mitya. The father is embarrassed in front of his son, but Arkady supports him. Pavel Petrovich is wearing an elegant suit in the morning; he asks his nephew who Bazarov is. Arkady replies that his friend is a nihilist. The brothers decide that this is someone who does not believe in anything, but Arkady corrects that his friend does not recognize or accept any principles on faith.
Fedosya Nikolaevna brings Pavel Petrovich cocoa in a large cup. She doesn’t feel too confident, but Arkady encourages her with a smile. Bazarov arrives with a bag full of frogs and goes to change for breakfast.
VI
During breakfast, an argument begins between Arkady's uncle and the young guest. Kirsanov talks about the role of art and natural sciences, and Evgeniy proves that “a decent chemist is twenty times more useful than any poet.” Kirsanov is outraged by the unceremoniousness of the son of the district “doctor”. The younger brother steers the conversation away from the dangerous topic and asks for advice on farming. The brothers leave, and Arkady says that Bazarov insulted his uncle. He offers to talk about the life of the elder Kirsanov, so that Evgeny will feel sympathy for him.
VII
Having received home education, Pavel Kirsanov became an officer. A brilliant career awaited him, he was spoiled by female attention, and men were secretly jealous and dreamed of destroying him. But the meeting with Princess R. became fatal for him.
This society lady was married, but she drove men crazy. Kirsanov achieved reciprocity, but the princess’s love soon passed. Pavel Petrovich resigned and pursued her abroad. After the final break with the princess, he returned to Russia gray and old. He spent time playing cards at the club, and after her death he stayed with his brother in Maryino, never getting married.
VIII
Pavel Petrovich visits Fenechka in the outbuilding. She is the daughter of a former housekeeper who died of cholera. Nikolai Petrovich took pity on the orphan, she became his assistant, and then gave birth to a son, Mitya, whom Kirsanov’s brother comes to see. He looks at the six-month old boy, tries to play with him, noticing the obvious resemblance to Nikolai Petrovich, who is here. And his brother goes to his room and throws himself on the sofa in despair.
IX
Bazarov also meets Fenechka, finding her very pretty. Arkady says that his father needs to formalize his relationship with her. Bazarov considers his father not a very good master: the men are deceiving him. Hearing the forty-four-year-old father of the family play the cello, Bazarov begins to laugh, which offends his friend.
X
Life in Maryino goes on, even everyone gets used to Bazarov. Only Pavel Petrovich does not accept him, considering him a plebeian. The young nihilist also confuses Nikolai Petrovich: he accidentally hears him calling him a “retired man.” This offends Kirsanov, and he tells his brother that their song is over, but he does not want to give up his position - he will still enter into a “fight with the doctor.”
In the evening, an argument breaks out between them. Kirsanov considers himself an aristocrat, because he has principles. Bazarov says that this is of no benefit to society. Denial is the most useful thing right now. Aristocrat Kirsanov is outraged: is it really necessary to deny culture, art, and faith? Bazarov asserts: everything must be denied. To build something new, you first “need to clear the place.”
Kirsanov loses his temper during an argument, and Bazarov ends the argument with a cold grin. The friends leave, leaving the “fathers” with gloomy thoughts. Nikolai thinks that the heirs have made it clear: “You are not from our generation,” and Pavel remains confident that life without principles is impossible.
XI
After the argument, Nikolai Petrovich plunged into sad thoughts. He clearly feels that he is too old, feels a deep gap between him and his son. His brother does not share his feelings. And the young people decide to go for a few days to the provincial town to visit a noble relative of the Kirsanovs.
XII
Matvey Ilyich Kolyazin, once the trustee of the Kirsanov brothers, greeted the young people cordially and offered to go on a visit to the governor, and he invited his friends to his ball. On the way, Bazarov is recognized by Viktor Sitnikov, who considers himself his student. He invites friends to Evdokia Kukshina, an emancipated young lady living nearby. She assures that she will feed her breakfast and drink champagne.
XIII
Avdotya Nikitishna Kukshina greets guests while lying on the sofa. The room is in disarray, and the hostess herself is a match: she considers herself “emancipated,” speaks coyly to men, and begs for compliments. Sitnikov and Evdokia are having a meaningless conversation, inserting buzzwords. Bazarov drinks champagne, and Kirsanov compares the situation to bedlam, and he and Evgeny leave. Sitnikov jumps out after him.
XIV
Soon, at the governor's ball, friends see Anna Sergeevna Odintsova, a widow raising her younger sister. During the dance, Arkady manages to talk about his friend who doesn’t believe in anything. Odintsova shows interest and invites them to her hotel tomorrow. This woman also did not leave Bazarov indifferent: he stated that she “doesn’t look like other women,” and then spoke rather cynically about her “rich body,” which could easily be placed in an anatomical theater.
XV
The next day, friends come to Odintsova. Anna and Katerina were the daughters of the formerly famous handsome man, swindler and gambler Sergei Loktev. The mother died early, and Loktev himself lost completely and left the children a small inheritance. Odintsov fell in love with Anna: he is twenty-five years older than her, but she accepted the proposal and lived in marriage for six years, taking her younger sister with her. After the death of her husband, she traveled a lot, but then settled in her beloved Nikolskoye estate. There were all sorts of rumors about her in the city, but Anna Sergeevna rarely appeared there and did not attach importance to secular opinion.
A young woman meets them in a simple morning dress and greets them warmly. Further, Kirsanov notices with surprise that Bazarov strives to engage his interlocutor in conversation and even becomes embarrassed from time to time. Anna invites them to her place in Nikolskoye.
XVI
Once at Odintsova’s estate, the friends were slightly embarrassed by the strict reception, reminiscent of ministerial chambers. But meeting Anna’s younger sister, Katerina Sergeevna, calmed the situation. Arkady and Anna remember his late mother, and Bazarov looks at albums with paintings out of boredom. The hostess offers to argue about something, because she is a terrible arguer. Anna Sergeevna is surprised how one can live without artistic taste, but Bazarov claims that he does not need this, because he is a doctor, and all patients are the same for him. Odintsova does not accept this, because people are different from each other. Bazarov believes that all human vices depend on the social structure: if society is corrected, there will be no diseases.
Aunt Odintsova came, Princess X...ya, an evil old woman. Nobody paid attention to her, but they treated her respectfully. In the evening, Bazarov plays preference with Anna Sergeevna, and Arkady is forced to be with Katya. She plays a Mozart sonata for him, and Arkady notices that Katya is pretty. Anna also thinks about the guests in the evening, especially about Evgeniy. She liked him for his novelty of views and lack of posing. In the morning, she calls him to “botanize” him, and Arkady again spends time with Katya.
XVII
Friends lived with Odintsova for fifteen days. Life flowed smoothly, and young people usually did not see each other all day. As a rule, Bazarov went for a walk with Anna, and Arkady spent time with Katya, but this did not bother him. Soon Bazarov feels that his attitude towards Odintsova is different from his previous relationships with women. He increasingly imagines how this woman will belong to him, and recognizes the romance in himself.
Timofeich (the Bazarovs’ serf) appears and tells how the parents were exhausted, having been waiting for their son for a long time. Bazarov uses this excuse to leave Nikolskoye and sort out his feelings. The night before, he almost reveals his feelings to Anna.
XVIII
In the morning, Anna Sergeevna calls Bazarov to her place and continues the conversation interrupted the day before, forcing him to confess his love. When Evgeny rushes to embrace her, she says that he misunderstood her. Left alone, she relives the confession, even experiencing a feeling of guilt in front of Bazarov, but decides that peace of mind is still more valuable to her.
XIX
Odintsova feels awkward with Bazarov: she invites him to stay, but he says that he can only stay as a loved one. Sitnikov appears and defuses the situation. In the evening, Evgeniy tells his friend that he is going to see his parents. Arkady offers to go with him. The next morning, Anna Sergeevna says goodbye to Bazarov, but says that they will see each other again.
On the way, Arkady notes how haggard and thin his friend has become over these days. Evgeniy reproaches himself that they behaved stupidly in women's company: one should not allow a woman to take possession of even the tip of a finger. After twenty-five miles, which seemed to Arkady “as much as fifty,” they reached a small village where the old Bazarovs lived.
XX
Bazarov’s father, Vasily Ivanovich, meets his friends on the porch. He tries to hide his excitement and joy. And mother Arina Vlasyevna hugs her Enyusha, whom she has not seen for three years. Bazarov carefully takes her to a small, modest house and greets her father, a former military doctor, like a man. Arkady is given a place in the dressing room, and the old people do not know what to treat their dear guests with.
Evgeniy talks with his father about affairs on the estate, about his military past, about how Vasily Ivanovich treats men. The son speaks half-jokingly, slightly teasing his parents, but Arkady feels that he loves them. His mother is a very pious, suspicious, poorly educated woman who believes in omens and dreams. Arkady sleeps well on a soft mattress, but Bazarov did not fall asleep that night.
XXI
In the morning, Arkady has a long conversation with Vasily Ivanovich and understands that he literally idolizes his son. But the son suffers from boredom. He doesn’t know what to do, so at the first opportunity he lashes out at Arkady. He talks about the meaning of life, calls himself “self-deluded,” but does not tolerate other opinions. As a result, the friends almost came to blows. The next morning, the young people leave, and the old people grieve, because they understand that their son has grown up and lives his own life.
XXII
On the way, they decided to stop by Odintsova, but she greets them coldly, and they are forced to take their leave. In Maryino, everyone rejoices at the arrival of the “young gentlemen,” even Pavel Petrovich feels excited. His brother's affairs leave much to be desired: the men do not pay their rent on time, they quarrel, they drink, and the manager has become lazy and creates the appearance of work.
Bazarov takes up his experiments so as not to think about Odintsova, and Arkady, having learned about the presence of letters from Anna Sergeevna’s mother to his late mother, takes them to Nikolskoye to see Anna and... Katya again.
XXIII
The Kirsanov brothers show interest in Bazarov’s experiments, and he finds himself a person with whom he devotes his soul. This is Fenechka, who feels freer with Bazarov than with the nobles Kirsanov, and he likes her for her spontaneity, youth and beauty.
One morning, Bazarov sees Fenechka sorting roses in the gazebo. They talk about science female beauty, and Bazarov asks to give one rose for medical assistance to Mitya. They smell the flower, and Bazarov kisses Fenechka right on the lips, which Pavel Petrovich witnesses.
XXIV
Two hours later, Kirsanov Sr. appears in Bazarov’s room with an offer to fight a duel. They make an appointment for tomorrow morning so that no one finds out. Peter's servant is hired as a second. Bazarov understands that Pavel Petrovich himself loves Fenechka.
Kirsanov brings pistols to the duel, and Evgeniy counts the steps. Kirsanov takes careful aim, but misses, and Bazarov, without aiming, hits Pavel Petrovich’s leg. He faints. Peter runs after the droshky in which his younger brother arrives.
The men explain the reason for the duel by political differences, and Bazarov leaves. Pavel Petrovich, delirious, remembers Princess R., whom Fenechka is so similar to. He invites his brother to formalize his marriage with Fedosya Nikolaevna.
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Brief content
The novel tells about the complex relationship between two friends - Evgeny Bazarov and Arkady Kirsanov with the latter's father and uncle. They have absolutely different views for life. This leads them to constant disputes and scandals. Bazarov unexpectedly falls in love with Anna Odintsova. He feels that his principles cannot save him from this feeling. Arkady finds his happiness with Katya Odintsova. Bazarov tragically dies from a terrible disease.
Read a brief detailed summary of Turgenev Fathers and Sons
Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" begins with the fact that nobleman Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov, owner of the Maryino estate, is awaiting the arrival of his son Arkady Kirsanov, who is returning from St. Petersburg after graduating from university. He finally arrives, and not alone. Arkady introduces his father to his friend Yevgeny Bazarov. His image seems a little strange to people: a black robe, long hair, thin face and green eyes. Kirsanov Jr. praises him to his father, convinces him that Evgeny is very interesting and clever man. They all go together to the Kirsanovs' estate, Bazarov on a tarantass, and father and son in a carriage.
On the way, Nikolai Petrovich told his son all the news at home, about the death of his nanny. He complained that his business was going from bad to worse, his workers were completely lazy, were drinking, and weren’t paying their dues. And money is really bad. Arkady talks about his new friend, that he is going to become a doctor and his unusual worldview.
They arrived home, which Arkady was incredibly happy about. Immediately they meet Nikolai Petrovich's older brother Pavel. This is also a handsome, fit man who follows English style in clothes. He is fashionably dressed and well-groomed, which makes Bazarov smile. Pavel does not receive the guest very kindly, he does not even shake his hand. Already from the first meeting, she and Evgeniy did not like each other. Later, the friends retire from the road to rest and discuss their latest impressions. Bazarov admits to Arkady that he thinks his uncle is strange.
The next day, in the morning, Evgeniy went to look for frogs for his medical experiments. Pavel Petrovich asks his nephew about his friend. Arkady says that his friend is a nihilist who denies everything and does not recognize any principles.
Arkady met Fenechka, who gave birth to a son to his father. Nikolai Petrovich is confused, he is very embarrassed in front of his son, but he supports him and convinces him that he has nothing against it.
While having breakfast, the guest and Pavel started an argument. The elder Kirsanov does not want to understand and accept Bazarov’s beliefs and principles, which he considers completely useless. Eugene denies any benefit of art, poetry, everything sublime, and declares that there are things much more important, for example, exact sciences. Pavel's brother, fearing that the dispute will develop into a scandal, tries to change the subject of the conversation. Arkady reproaches Evgeniy for being too harsh with his uncle and tells him about the latter’s difficult life. A wonderful future and career awaited Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, he broke women's hearts. This continued until he himself became a victim of love for the beautiful Princess R., a married lady who charmed many men. Pavel Petrovich gave up his career to follow the woman he loved, but she turned out to be fickle and broke off relations with him. Kirsanov returned to Russia; it was difficult to recognize him as the former handsome man. He never started his own family. After the news of the death of Princess R., he finally moved to Maryino, to his brother.
Pavel Kirsanov tries to console himself by playing with young Mitya, Nikolai’s son, and communicating with Fenechka. Arkady is sure that his father needs to enter into a legal marriage with her.
The inhabitants of the estate got used to Bazarov. He communicates especially well with Fenechka. But he does not hide his arrogant attitude towards the older Kirsanovs and their views. But Paul does not intend to give in to this plebeian, as he calls Eugene. Relations between them are heating up, and the gap between the two generations is becoming increasingly clear.
The friends went on a visit to a relative of the Kirsanovs, Matvey Ilyich Kolyazin, who invited them to the governor. He invited them to attend his ball. There the young people met Anna Sergeevna Odintsova, an attractive young widow. Bazarov is surprised to discover that he is interested in her and does not hide the fact that she is different from other women. Soon Anna invited Evgeny and Arkady to her Nikolskoye estate. Bazarov spends a lot of time communicating with Odintsova, and Arkady whiles away the time with her younger sister Katerina. Over time, he realizes that he is attracted to Katya.
Having learned that his parents were missing him, Bazarov went to visit them. But he is bored among the old people and, having stopped by Anna, goes with Arkady to Maryino.
One day, Pavel Petrovich witnessed how Evgeny kissed Fenechka on the lips. Being insulted, he challenges Eugene to a duel. Bazarov wounds Pavel in the leg. But they did not tell anyone about the true reason for the duel, citing political differences.
Arkady proposes to Katya. Anna considered it reasonable to remain friends with Bazarov, because they are very different. Evgeniy returns to his parents and begins to heal. One day, while working with the corpse of a man who had died of typhus, he cut his finger and became seriously ill. He wanted to see Anna. She arrived with the doctor, but it was too late. Evgeniy tells Anna about his feelings for her. She kissed him on the forehead, and a little later he dies.
Life goes on. There are two weddings at the Kirsanov estate: Arkady married Katya, and Nikolai Petrovich married Fenechka. Pavel left the country. Anna married again. Evgeny Bazarov's old parents suffer for their son and often visit his grave.
Brief detailed content works (stories) of Turgenev Fathers and Sons
Summary of Fathers and Sons by chapter Turgenev
Chapter 1
The action takes place in 1859, on the estate of landowner Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov. He is awaiting the arrival of his son Arkady from the university.
Nikolai's wife died when Arkasha was 10 years old, and the widower decides to distract himself. To do this, he goes to the village and starts his own farm. After Nikolai's son grew up, he sent him to study.
And now the time has come when Arkady returns to his home. The father is worried and waiting for him, he knows that his son is going with a friend.
Chapter 2
The long-awaited meeting is finally happening. Arkady introduces his fellow student, Evgeny Bazarov, to his father and asks Nikolai Petrovich not to be embarrassed by him and to behave with him in a simple way.
The arriving guest prefers a tarantass for the trip, and Arkady and his father are accommodated in a carriage.
Chapter 3
On the way, the father is overwhelmed with feelings, he hugs his son and asks him to tell him about Evgeniy. Arkady shuns his affection and makes attempts to show that he doesn’t care, speaks sharply and thoughtlessly, looking back at Bazarov to make sure that he does not hear him.
Nikolai Petrovich talks about his farm and scolds the workers. He also notifies his son that a girl named Fenya lives with him and if he doesn’t like it, she will leave their house.
Chapter 4
Only the old servant and the girl greet the guests. In the house they meet Pavel Petrovich, Arkady’s uncle. After the students clean up, everyone sits down at the dining table.
Conversations during lunch just don't work out. Soon everyone leaves and goes to bed, but some of the inhabitants of the Kirsanov house do not fall asleep right away. Nikolai thinks about his son, and Pavel sits by the fireplace. Fenechka admires her sleeping son, his father was Nikolai Petrovich.
Chapter 5
In the morning, Bazarov wakes up early and goes for a walk. Local boys run with him, and they decide to go to the swamp to catch the frogs.
The Kirsanov family decides to drink tea on the summer veranda. Fenya is sick, and Arkady goes to see her. Arriving at her, he sees the baby and learns that it is his younger brother. He rejoices and asks his father why he hid such an event from him.
The owners of the house ask about Evgeniy. Arkady says that his friend is a nihilist, that is, he does not believe in anything. Evgeny comes with the captured frogs and carries them into the experiment room.
Chapter 6
During the tea party, Pavel talks about the benefits of art, and Evgeniy claims that natural Sciences much more important than poetry and painting. An argument begins between them. They show their dissatisfaction with each other. Nikolai Petrovich diverts the conversation and occupies Bazarov with questions about making the right choice fertilizers
Chapter 7
The story of Pavel Kirsanov. He served and was always in demand among women, but one day he fell in love with a married princess, and his whole life went downhill. Pavel left the service and followed his beloved everywhere for several years. But, having failed to achieve reciprocity from her, he left for his native place. Having learned about the death of the princess, he comes to the village to visit his brother and remains on the estate.
Chapter 8
Pavel Kirsanov, after arguing with the guest, finds no place for himself and goes to Fenya to look at his youngest nephew.
Fenechka ended up in their house by chance. Nikolai saw her in a tavern, having learned that she and her mother were living poorly, he took them to live with him. Over time, Nikolai Petrovich realized that he was in love with her and after Feni’s mother died, he began to live with the girl.
Chapter 9
Having met Fenechka and her baby, Evgeniy tells her that he is a doctor, and they can ask for his help if necessary. Arkady says that his father should marry Fenya.
Nikolai Petrovich plays the cello, Bazarov grins at the sounds he hears. Arkady looks at his friend disapprovingly.
Chapter 10 of the story Fathers and Sons
A couple of weeks pass and everyone gets used to the presence of a new tenant in the house. But everyone’s attitude towards him is different: the servants like him, Pavel can’t stand him, and Nikolai thinks about what Bazarov does bad influence to Arkady.
Nikolai Petrovich was offended by Evgeniy after a conversation he overheard between friends, in which Bazarov called him a retired man. He told Pavel about what he had heard, which further provoked him into conflict with Eugene.
In the evening, during a tea party, an argument occurs between Bazarov and the Kirsanov brothers. Eugene claims that aristocrats are crappy people and there is no benefit from their lives. Pavel Petrovich speaks out against the trend of nihilists, arguing that they are spoiling the country with their views.
After arguments between different generations, young people leave the living room. Nikolai suddenly began to remember how he had a fight with his mother and compared this moment in his life with an argument between him and his son.
This parallel between fathers and children is the most important in the work.
Chapter 11
Before going to bed, everyone is immersed in their thoughts. The elder Kirsanov comes to the gazebo and thinks about his dead wife. Pavel Petrovich admires the stars. Evgeniy tells Arkady that he needs to go to the city and visit an old acquaintance.
Chapter 12
Arkady and Evgeny go to the city, there they come to Matvey Ilyin, a friend of Bazarov, then visit the governor and are given invitations to the ball.
Bazarov also meets with his acquaintance Sitnikov, who invites them both to Evdokia Kukshina.
Chapter 13
They don’t like Kukshina’s because she is untidy and chatters endlessly, which very tires young people. In Evdokia’s meaningless conversation, the name of Anna Sergeevna Odintsova is heard.
Chapter 14
At the governor's ball, friends see Anna Sergeevna for the first time and get to know her. She dances with Arkady, and he tells her about his friend who doesn’t believe in anything. Anna is interested in her new acquaintances, and she invites them to her estate. Bazarov notices in her unusual woman, and decides to visit her estate.
Chapter 15
Arriving at Anna Sergeevna, Evgeniy is embarrassed because this meeting impresses him.
Odintsova inherited the estate from her deceased father in a ruined state. Anna Sergeevna seriously began to restore the lost farm. Got married after 6 years life together, her husband died, and she inherited from him. Odintsova could not stand the city and lived in her house.
Bazarov tried to leave his name good opinion. He talked about medicine and talked about botany. Odintsova understood science, and their conversation progressed smoothly. For Anna Sergeevna, Arkady was perceived as a younger brother.
After the conversation ended, Odintsova invited her friends to her estate.
Chapter 16
Anna Sergeevna's estate was located in Nikolskoye, where Arkady and Evgeny meet her shy sister Katya, who plays the piano well.
Odintsova’s evil aunt arrives, and the guests do not pay attention to her. In the evening, Evgeniy plays preference with Anna Sergeevna. Arkady spends all his time with Katya.
Odintsova walks with Bazarov in the garden and talks with him. Arkady likes Anna Sergeevna, and he feels jealous.
Chapter 17
During the time that the friends spend visiting Odintsova, the notorious nihilist begins to change. He realizes that he is in love. Anna and Evgeny's feelings are mutual, but they do not tell each other about it.
Bazarov meets one of his father’s courtiers, he says that his parents have been waiting for him. Evgeniy is going to go to his home and reports this. A conversation takes place between Odintsova and Bazarov in which they want to find out what dreams are hidden in the hearts of each of them.
Chapter 18
Evgeniy reveals his feelings to Anna Sergeevna. But he doesn't hear response words love, Odintsova says that he misunderstood her. Bazarov cannot remain on the estate.
Chapter 19
Odintsova says that Bazarov should stay with her for a while longer, but he refuses. Sitnikov arrives, his appearance helps to defuse the tension between Anna and Evgeny. The next morning, the friends set off on the road.
Arkady notices that Bazarov has become thin and gloomy. Soon they reached the estate of Bazarov's parents.
Chapter 20
On the threshold they are met by Vasily Ivanovich, Evgeniy’s father. He hides his emotions when meeting his son. Arina Vasilievna, Bazarov’s mother, embraces her beloved child. Arkady is given a place in the dressing room.
Bazarov is talking with his parents, asking how the father of the local men is undergoing treatment. After long conversations, everyone goes to their places and goes to bed. Arkady immediately falls asleep, and Evgeny remains in thought all night.
Chapter 21
In the morning, Arkady talks with Vasily Ivanovich and understands that the father loves his son very much. Evgeniy doesn’t know what to do and starts arguing with his friend, it comes to a fight.
The next day they leave, and the parents are sad, realizing that their son is already quite an adult.
Chapter 22
Stopping at an inn, the young people think about where to go. Arkady decides to go to Odintsova, but upon arriving at her estate it turns out that she was not expecting them at all. Anna Sergeevna apologizes and asks them to come next time. Friends go to the Kirsanov estate.
Nikolai Petrovich again complains about the workers on his estate. Arkady constantly thinks about the inhabitants of Nikolskoye and comes to Odintsova alone. Guests are received with joy.
Chapter 23
Bazarov is not offended by his friend, he understands him and is engaged in his own experiments. Pavel Petrovich wants to improve relations with Evgeniy, even tries to help in his experiments.
Fenechka avoids Pavel Kirsanov. In the morning she sorts through flowers in the gazebo and talks with Evgeniy about old age. Bazarov decides to kiss her, but hearing Pavel Petrovich cough, the embarrassed woman runs away and scolds young man. Evgeny suddenly remembers a similar incident with Anna.
Chapter 24
Pavel Petrovich challenges Bazarov to a duel without specifying the reason, believing that Evgeny himself should know what his fault is. In order not to look stupid, he asks Evgeny to throw a scandal. The opponents stipulate the previous fight and hire a second, Peter.
After Pavel leaves, Bazarov reflects on what happened and thinks that Pavel Kirsanov loves Fenya.
At dawn the duelists arrived at the appointed place. Evgeniy understands that all this is stupid, but is not afraid to die. Pavel Petrovich shoots first, but misses. Bazarov responds with a shot, without aiming, and wounds Pavel in the leg. At home, they claim that the reason for the duel is different views on politics.
The arriving doctor conducts an examination and says that the danger has passed. Pavel admits that he compares Fenechka with his former lover. Nikolai Petrovich does not take his words seriously, thinking that his brother is delusional. Pavel asks Nikolai to propose to Fenechka and is going to go abroad after his brother’s wedding.
Chapter 25
Arkady, meanwhile, is with the Odintsovs. He begins to talk more and more with Anna Sergeevna’s younger sister. They walk, Katya plays the piano for him. The young man suddenly realizes that he cannot be a nihilist like his friend. He likes Katerina, they talk about art, which was forbidden by Bazarov.
Evgeny goes home and stops by Odintsova’s to tell Arkady what happened. Anna Sergeevna no longer evokes feelings in Arkady and he ceases to be jealous of her for Bazarov.
Chapter 26
Love arises between Katya and Arkady. He asks her to marry him. Katerina gives her consent.
Kirsanov writes a letter to the elder Odintsova, asking for her sister’s hand in marriage. Evgeny is very surprised by Arkady’s action, because he assumed that his friend was not indifferent to Anna Sergeevna. Odintsova allows the newlyweds to marry and is happy for Katerina.
Bazarov leaves the estate.
Chapter 27
Evgeniy arrives home, his parents were waiting for him and joyfully greet their son. He decides to work as a doctor and help people. One day they bring him a patient with typhus. Evgeniy becomes infected from it and lies delirious.
Bazarov calls his father and asks him to send for Anna Sergeevna in order to say goodbye to her.
Odintsova brings a doctor who says that the patient can no longer be helped. Having said goodbye to the woman he loved, Bazarov dies. The mother and father cannot believe that their son is no more.
Chapter 28
Six months later, the Kirsanov family celebrates two weddings at once. Arkady and Katerina and Nikolai Petrovich and Fenechka get married. Pavel Petrovich, as planned, is leaving abroad.
Odintsova marries for convenience, not for love. Bazarov is buried in his homeland and his parents often come to visit their only son.
Picture or drawing Fathers and Sons
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Retelling plan
1. The author introduces readers to Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov.
2. His son Arkady arrives at his father’s house with his new friend Yevgeny Bazarov.
3. Arkady meets Fenechka.
4. Bazarov reveals his life principles.
5. The story of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, Arkady’s uncle.
6. The story of Fenechka.
7. Disputes between Bazarov and Kirsanov.
8. Friends leave the Kirsanovs’ house. Meeting Kukshina.
9. Meeting with Odintsova.
10. Odintsova’s story.
11. Bazarov is forced to admit that he is in love with Odintsova.
12. Explanation between Bazarov and Odintsova.
13. Friends go to Bazarov’s parents.
14. Bazarov and Arkady return to the Kirsanovs, having stopped at Odintsova’s on the way.
15. Pavel Petrovich challenges Bazarov to a duel.
16. Duel. Kirsanov is wounded. Bazarov is narrowing it down.
17. Nikolai Petrovich decides to marry Fenechka.
18. The last explanation of Bazarov and Odintsova.
19. Arkady proposes to Katya, Odintsova’s sister.
20. Return of Evgeny Bazarov to his parents' home.
21. Bazarov becomes infected with typhus.
22. Odintsova comes to the dying Bazarov.
23. Death of Bazarov.
24. Wedding of Arkady and Katya, Nikolai Petrovich and Fenechka.
25. Epilogue. Further fate heroes.
Retelling
Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov sat on the porch of the inn and waited for the arrival of his son Arkady. Kirsanov owned an estate of two hundred souls. His father was a military general, his mother was one of the “mother commanders.” Kirsanov himself was raised at home until the age of fourteen, surrounded by governesses. Elder brother Pavel went to serve military service. Nikolai was also destined for a military career, but he broke his leg, so at eighteen his father sent him to university. He left the university as a candidate. Soon his parents died, he married a pretty, educated girl and moved with her to the village, where he remained to live since then.
The couple lived very friendly, almost never separated, they read together and played four hands on the piano. They had a son, Arkady, and ten years later his wife died. Kirsanov took up housekeeping. When Arkady grew up, his father sent him to St. Petersburg, where he lived with him for three years, then went back to the village.
And now he sat on the porch and waited for his son. Seeing Arkady approaching, he ran.
Arkady introduced Nikolai Petrovich to his friend, Yevgeny Bazarov. He asked his father not to stand on ceremony with Evgeniy, since he is a simple person. Bazarov decided to ride in the tarantass in which they arrived. Soon both crews were laid down, and the heroes set off.
While Arkady and Nikolai Petrovich were riding in a stroller, Kirsanov could not get enough of his son, all the time he tried to hug him. Arkady was also glad to meet him, but he tried to hide his childish joy and sometimes spoke cheekily. When Nikolai Petrovich asked what Bazarov was doing, Arkady replied that his subject was natural sciences, but most of all he was interested in medicine.
Nikolai Petrovich complained about the troubles with the peasants: they do not pay quitrent, but the hired workers seem to be doing a good job. Arkady started talking about the beauty of nature that surrounded them, but fell silent, glancing back at Bazarov. Nikolai Petrovich said that almost nothing had changed on the estate, then, hesitatingly, he started talking about the girl who now lives with him on the estate. If Arkady and Evgeny find it awkward to see her in the house, then she can leave for a while. But Arkady replied that he understood his father and was not going to embarrass him.
They both felt awkward after this conversation and changed the subject. Arkady began to look at the surrounding fields, which were in some desolation. The huts in the villages were low, the men came across poorly dressed, on decrepit nags. “No,” thought Arkady, “this is a poor region, it does not amaze you with either contentment or hard work; it’s impossible, he can’t stay like this, transformations are necessary... but how to carry them out, how to start?”
However spring nature was wonderful. Arkady admired her. Nikolai Petrovich even began to read a poem by Pushkin, but then he was interrupted by Bazarov, who asked Arkady for a cigarette. Nikolai Petrovich immediately fell silent. Soon they arrived at the manor's house.
The servants did not pour out to meet them; only one girl and a servant appeared, who helped everyone get out of the carriages. Nikolai Petrovich led everyone into the living room and ordered the old servant to serve dinner. Then Nikolai Petrovich’s brother, Pavel Petrovich, came out to meet them. He looked very well-groomed: a handsome face, on which the eyes were “especially beautiful,” “short-cropped gray hair shone with a dark shine, like new silver”; polished nails of white hands, “English suite”, “pleasant voice”, “beautiful white teeth”. Bazarov - complete opposite To Pavel Petrovich: the face is “long and thin, with a wide forehead”, “large greenish eyes expressed self-confidence and intelligence”, “hairy”, “red naked arm”, “long robe with tassels”, “lazy but courageous voice”. After the greeting, Arkady and Bazarov went to their rooms to clean up. Meanwhile, Pavel Petrovich asked his brother about Bazarov, whom he did not really like because of his unkempt appearance.
Soon dinner was served, during which little was said, especially by Bazarov. Nikolai Petrovich told stories from his “farmer” life. Pavel Petrovich, who never had dinner, walked around the dining room and made small remarks, more like exclamations. Arkady reported several St. Petersburg news. But he felt a little awkward, since he returned to a house in which he was used to being considered small. After dinner everyone immediately left.
Bazarov shared his impressions with Arkady. He considered Pavel Petrovich strange because he dresses like a dandy in the village. Arkady replied that he used to be a socialite and turned the heads of many women. Nikolai Petrovich Bazarov liked it, but he noted that he did not understand anything about farming.
Arkady and Bazarov fell asleep early, the rest of the house could not sleep a wink until late. Nikolai Petrovich kept thinking about his son. Pavel Petrovich held a magazine in his hands, but did not read it, but looked at the fire in the fireplace. Fenechka sat in her room and looked at the cradle in which her son, the son of Nikolai Petrovich, was sleeping.
The next morning, Bazarov woke up before everyone else and went to explore the surroundings. He met two yard boys, with whom he went to the swamp to catch frogs. He had a special ability to arouse confidence in himself “in people of lower origin,” so the boys followed him. They were surprised by Bazarov's explanation: people are the same frogs.
Nikolai Petrovich and Arkady went out onto the terrace. The girl said that Fedosya Nikolaevna was unwell and would not be able to come down to pour the tea. Arkady asked his father if Fenechka didn’t want to go out because he had arrived. Nikolai Petrovich was embarrassed and replied that most likely she was just ashamed. Arkady began to assure him that she had nothing to be ashamed of, and neither did her father, and if her father let her under his roof, then she deserved it. Arkady wanted to go to her immediately. His father tried to warn him about something, but did not have time.
Soon Arkady went out onto the terrace again. He was cheerful and said that Fenechka was really unwell, but she would come later. Arkady slightly reproached his father for not telling him about his little brother, because then Arkady would have kissed him yesterday, as he did today. Both father and son were touched and did not know what to say to each other. Pavel Petrovich came, and everyone sat down to drink tea.
Pavel Petrovich asked Arkady where his friend was. Arkady replied that Evgeny always gets up early and goes somewhere. Pavel Petrovich remembered that in his father’s division there was a doctor, Bazarov, who most likely is Evgeniy’s father. Then he asked what this Bazarov was like. Arkady replied that he was a nihilist, that is, “a person who does not bow to any authority, who does not accept a single principle on faith, no matter how respectful this principle may be.” To this Pavel Petrovich replied: “We, people of the old century, we believe that without principles (Pavel Petrovich pronounced this word softly, in the French manner, Arkady, on the contrary, pronounced “printsyp”, leaning on the first syllable), without principles accepted , as you say, on faith, you can’t take a step, you can’t breathe.”
Fenechka, a young and very pretty woman, came out. “She seemed ashamed that she had come, and at the same time she seemed to feel that she had the right to come.” She handed Pavel Petrovich his cocoa and blushed.
When she left, there was silence on the terrace for some time. Then Pavel Petrovich said: “Mr. Nihilist is coming to us.” Bazarov went up to the terrace, asked for forgiveness for being late, and said that he would come back, just put the frogs. Pavel Petrovich asked whether he eats them or breeds them. Bazarov said indifferently that this was for experiments and left. Arkady looked at his uncle with regret, and Nikolai Petrovich secretly shrugged his shoulders. Pavel Petrovich himself realized that he had said something stupid and started talking about farming.
Bazarov returned and sat down with everyone to drink tea. The conversation turned to science. Pavel Petrovich said that the Germans were very successful in it. “Yes, the Germans are our teachers in this,” Bazarov answered casually.” Pavel Petrovich realized that Bazarov respects German scientists, but not so much Russians. He said that he himself does not really like the Germans, especially those who live now. The old ones, for example, Schiller or Goethe, were much better, but the modern ones are only engaged in science. “A decent chemist is twenty times more useful than any poet,” Bazarov interrupted him. He didn’t want to continue this argument at all, but Pavel Petrovich kept asking him and asking him, while showing that he was bored. Finally, Nikolai Petrovich intervened in the conversation and asked Bazarov to give him some advice about fertilizers. Evgeniy replied that he would be happy to help him.
Bazarov asked Arkady if his uncle was always like this. Arkady noticed that Evgeny was too harsh with him, and decided to tell his story so that Bazarov would understand that Pavel Petrovich is worthy of pity, not ridicule.
Like his brother, Pavel Petrovich was raised first at home, and then entered military service. In St. Petersburg, the brothers lived together, but their lifestyle was sharply different. Pavel Petrovich was a real socialite and did not spend a single evening at home. The ladies loved him very much, and the men secretly envied him.
At the twenty-eighth year of his life he was already a captain and could do brilliant career, if I had not once met Princess R. She had an old, stupid husband and no children. She led the life of a frivolous coquette, suddenly went abroad and returned just as suddenly. At balls she danced until she dropped and joked with young people. And at night she would lock herself in her room, sob, wring her hands in anguish, or simply sit all pale in front of the Psalter. The next day she turned back into society lady. “No one would call her a beauty; The only good thing about her whole face was the eyes, and not even the eyes themselves - they were small and gray - but their gaze, quick and deep, careless to the point of daring and thoughtful to the point of despondency - a mysterious look.” Accustomed to quick victories, Pavel Petrovich just as quickly achieved his goal with Princess R. But the victory did not bring him triumph; on the contrary, he became even more painfully and deeply attached to this woman. Even when she gave herself up irrevocably, there was still something incomprehensible in her that no one could penetrate. One day Pavel Petrovich gave her a ring with a sphinx and said that this sphinx was her. When the princess stopped loving him, it became even harder for him. He almost went crazy when she left him. Despite requests from friends and superiors, he left the service and spent four years following her around foreign lands. He wanted to remain her friend, although he understood that friendship with such a woman was impossible. Finally he lost sight of her.
Returning to Russia, he tried to carry on the same social life, could boast of new victories, but was never the same. One day he learned that the princess died in Paris in a state close to insanity. She sent him the ring he had given him, on which she had drawn a cross, and told him to tell him that this was the answer. Her death occurred just at the time when Nikolai Petrovich lost his wife. If previously the differences between the brothers were strong, now they have almost disappeared. Pavel Petrovich moved to his brother’s village and stayed to live with him.
Arkady added that Bazarov was unfair to Pavel Petrovich. In fact, he is very kind, he helped his brother with money many times, sometimes he stood up for the peasants, although he sniffed cologne when he talked to them. Bazarov called Pavel Petrovich a man who put his whole life on the line female love. “And what is this mysterious relationship between a man and a woman? We physiologists know what this relationship is. Study the anatomy of the eye: where does that mysterious look come from, as you say? This is all romanticism, nonsense, rot, art. Let's go better look at the beetle." And both friends went to Bazarov’s room.
Pavel Petrovich was briefly present during the conversation between his brother and the manager. He knew that things were going badly on the estate and he needed money. But Pavel Petrovich didn’t have any money right now, so he preferred to leave as quickly as possible. He looked into Fenechka’s room, who was very embarrassed at his arrival and ordered the maid to take the child to another room. Pavel Petrovich ordered that green tea be bought for him in the city. Fenechka thought that now he would probably leave, but Pavel Petrovich asked her to show her son. When they brought the boy, he said that the child looked like his brother. At that moment Nikolai Petrovich came and was very surprised to see his brother. He hurriedly left. Nikolai Petrovich asked Fenechka whether Pavel Petrovich came of his own free will and whether Arkady came. Then he kissed first little Mitya, and then Fenechka’s hand.
The story of their relationship is as follows. About three years ago, Nikolai Petrovich stopped at a tavern and got into conversation with the hostess. It turned out that things were going badly at the tavern. Nikolai Petrovich offered to move to his estate to conduct business there. Two weeks later, the owner and her daughter Fenechka were already living on the estate. The girl was very afraid of Nikolai Petrovich, rarely showed herself, and led a quiet and modest life. One day a spark from the fire hit her eye, and her mother asked Nikolai Petrovich to help her. He helped, but since then he constantly thought about the girl. She continued to hide, but gradually got used to him. Soon her mother died, and she was left in her place to run the household. “She was so young, so lonely; Nikolai Petrovich himself was so kind and modest... There is nothing else to say..."
On the same day, Bazarov met Fenechka. He was walking with Arkady and saw Fenechka in the gazebo along with his son and maid. Bazarov asked Arkady who she was. He explained in a few words. Evgeny went to the gazebo to get acquainted. He started a conversation very easily, asked why the baby had red cheeks, and said that if Mitya gets sick, he is ready to help him, because he is a doctor.
When the friends moved on, Bazarov said that what he liked about Fenechka was that she wasn’t very embarrassed: “She’s a mother—well, she’s right.” Arkady noted that he considers his father to be wrong, since he should marry Fenechka. Bazarov just laughed in response: “Do you still attach importance to marriage?” Then he started talking about how things were not going well on the estate, “the cattle are bad and the horses are broken,” “the workers look like notorious sloths.” “I’m beginning to agree with uncle,” Arkady noted, “you have a decidedly bad opinion of the Russians.” Bazarov did not object. Suddenly they heard the sounds of a cello; it was Nikolai Petrovich playing. This seemed strange to Bazarov and he laughed. “But Arkady, no matter how much he revered his teacher, did not even smile this time.”
About two weeks passed. Everyone on the estate got used to Bazarov. Fenechka even once ordered him to be woken up at night: Mitya had seizures. Bazarov was especially loved by the courtyard people, with whom he could always find mutual language. Nikolai Petrovich doubted his beneficial influence on Arkady, but still asked his advice. Only Pavel Petrovich hated Bazarov, whom he called a cynic and impudent and suspected that he despised him.
Usually Bazarov left early in the morning to collect herbs and catch beetles, sometimes he took Arkady with him. One day they were a little late for tea, and Nikolai Petrovich went to meet them. They passed on the other side of the gate and did not see him, and Nikolai Petrovich heard their conversation. Bazarov said that although Kirsanov is a kind fellow, he is already a retired man, and his song is over. Nikolai Petrovich wandered home. Meanwhile, Bazarov advised Arkady to let his father read Buchner instead of Pushkin. Nikolai Petrovich told his brother about what he heard. He complained that he was trying with all his might to keep up with the times, he had made so many changes to his farm, and yet he was still called a retired person. Pavel Petrovich said that he was not going to give up so quickly, he and Bazarov would still have a fight.
The fight took place that evening when everyone was drinking tea. Pavel Petrovich was still waiting for an excuse because of which he could enter into an argument with Bazarov. But the guest was silent throughout the dinner. Finally, when it came to a certain landowner, Bazarov called him “rubbish aristocrat.” Pavel Petrovich realized that Bazarov had the same low opinion of all aristocrats. He began to talk about what a real aristocrat is. This is a person who fulfills his duties, who has principles and follows them. This is how he benefits society. Bazarov replied that Pavel Petrovich, although an aristocrat, does not bring any benefit, because he sits with folded hands. But, according to Pavel Petrovich, nihilists also do not bring benefit to society, since they deny everything. For them, the main thing is to destroy everything, destroy the old foundations, and nihilists are no longer interested in who will build everything anew. Bazarov replied that the inaction of the nihilists was justified. Previously, denouncers constantly talked about how bad life was for the people in Russia, criticized the government, but they did not go beyond talking. The nihilists realized how empty such talk is. Therefore, they stopped trusting authorities, stopped denouncing, now they deny everything, and “decided not to accept anything.”
Pavel Petrovich was horrified. In his opinion, civilization is what the entire society rests on; if it does not exist, then society will reach primitiveness. For Pavel Petrovich, “the last dirty guy, the tapper” is much more civilized than any nihilist, “wild Mongol.” Bazarov wanted to stop this senseless dispute: “I will only be ready to agree with you when you present me with at least one resolution in our modern life, in family or social life, that would not cause complete and merciless denial.”
The young people left. And Nikolai Petrovich remembered how, in his youth, he had a strong fight with his mother because she could not understand her son, and he could not understand her. Now the same relationship existed between the elder Kirsanov and his son.
Before going to bed, Nikolai Petrovich went to his favorite gazebo. “For the first time he clearly realized his separation from his son; he had a presentiment that every day it would become larger and larger.” He realized that it was in vain that in St. Petersburg he was present at the conversations of his son with his friends and was happy if he managed to get his word in. He did not understand one thing: how can one reject poetry, nature, art? He admired the evening nature, and poetry came to his mind, but he remembered the book his son had given him and fell silent. Nikolai Petrovich began to remember his late wife. She seemed to him like a young, shy girl, as he had seen her for the first time. He regretted that it was impossible to return everything back. But then Fenechka called him, and he felt offended that she appeared at that very moment. He went home, and on the way he met his brother. Pavel Petrovich came to the gazebo, looked at the sky, but “his beautiful dark eyes reflected nothing but the light of the stars.”
Bazarov suggested that Arkady take advantage of his old friend’s invitation to visit the city: Bazarov did not want to stay on the estate after a quarrel with Pavel Petrovich. Afterwards he was going to go to his parents. Bazarov and Arkady left the next day. The youth in the estate regretted their departure, and the old people sighed lightly.
A friend of the Bazarov family, Matvey Ilyich, received Arkady good-naturedly. He advised: if Arkady wants to get acquainted with the local society, he should attend the ball that the governor is throwing. Bazarov and Arkady went to the governor and received an invitation to the ball. When the friends were returning, they met a young man, Sitnikov, an acquaintance of Bazarov. He began to tell how much Evgeniy changed his life, calling him a teacher. But Bazarov did not pay attention to him special attention. Sitnikov invited them to Evdokia Kukshina, a local emancipated woman, he was sure that Bazarov would like her. The friends agreed when they were promised three bottles of champagne.
They came to Kukshina’s house. The hostess turned out to be a young woman, dressed in an unkempt dress, disheveled. She had a plain appearance, she spoke and moved casually, and every movement she made was unnatural, as if she was doing it on purpose. She constantly jumped from subject to subject: first she said that she was studying chemistry and was going to make glue for dolls, then she started talking about women's labor. She constantly asked questions, but did not expect answers to them, but continued her chatter.
Bazarov asked if there were any pretty women in the city. Kukshina replied that her friend Anna Sergeevna Odintsova was not bad-looking, but she was poorly educated and did not at all understand the conversations they were having now. She immediately switched to the need to improve women's education so that all women could become as progressive as she was. Sitnikov constantly inserted stupid phrases like “down with authorities” and laughed just as stupidly. When Kukshina began to sing a romance, Arkady could not stand it, said that all this looked like bedlam, and stood up. Bazarov, without saying goodbye to the hostess, left the house. Sitnikov ran after his friends.
A few days later, friends arrived at the ball. Since Arkady danced poorly, and Bazarov did not dance at all, they sat down in the corner. They were joined by Sitnikov, who put a grin on his face and made poisonous jokes. But suddenly his face changed and he said: “Odintsova has arrived.” Arkady saw a woman tall in a black dress. She looked calm and intelligent and smiled a barely noticeable smile. Bazarov also drew attention to her: “What kind of figure is this? She’s not like other women.” Sitnikov replied that he knew her and promised to introduce Arkady to her. But it turned out that he was completely unfamiliar to her, and she looked at him with some amazement. But, having heard about Arkady, she asked if he was Nikolai Petrovich’s son. It turns out that she saw him several times and heard a lot of good things about him.
She was constantly invited to dance by various gentlemen, and during breaks she talked with Arkady, who told her about his father, uncle, life in St. Petersburg and the village. Odintsova listened to him with attention, but at the same time Arkady felt that she seemed to be condescending to him. He told her about Bazarov, and Odintsova became interested in him. She invited them to visit her.
Bazarov began to ask Arkady about Odintsova, and he replied that she was very nice, behaved coldly and strictly. Bazarov agreed to accept her invitation, although he thought that she was something like an emancipated Kukshina. They left the ball immediately after dinner. Kukshina laughed nervously after them, since none of them paid any attention to her.
The next day, Arkady and Bazarov went to Odintsova. While they were climbing the stairs, Bazarov joked venomously at her. But when he saw her, he was internally embarrassed: “Here you go! I was scared of the women!” Anna Sergeevna seated them opposite her and began to look attentively at Bazarov, who sat down too casually in the chair.
Odintsova's father was a card player and swindler. As a result, he lost everything and was forced to settle in the village and soon died, leaving his small estate to his two daughters - Anna and Katya. Their mother died a long time ago.
After the death of her father, Anna had a very difficult life; she did not know how to manage the estate and how to live in poverty. But she was not at a loss, but sent her mother’s sister, an angry and arrogant old princess, to her place. Anna was ready to fade away in the wilderness, but then Odintsov, a rich man of about forty-six, saw her. He asked her to marry him, and Anna agreed. They
They lived for six years, then Odintsov died, leaving his entire fortune to his young wife. Anna Sergeevna traveled to Germany with her sister, but soon got bored there and returned to her Nikolskoye estate. She almost never appeared in society, where they did not like her and told all sorts of gossip. But she didn't pay any attention to them.
Arkady was surprised at his friend's behavior. Usually Bazarov was taciturn, but this time he tried to keep Anna Sergeevna busy with conversation. It was not clear from her face whether this made an impression on her. At first she didn’t like Bazarov’s breaking, but she realized that he felt embarrassed, and this flattered her.
Arkady thought that Evgeny would begin to talk about his views, but instead he talked about medicine, homeopathy, botany. It turned out that Anna Sergeevna had read books about this and had a good understanding of the subject. She treated Arkady like a younger brother. At the end of the conversation, she invited her friends to visit her village. They agreed. After the friends left Madame Odintsova, Bazarov again spoke about her in his previous tone. They agreed to go to Nikolskoye the day after tomorrow.
When they arrived at Odintsova’s, they were met by two footmen, and the butler led them into the room prepared for the guests and said that the hostess would receive them in half an hour. Bazarov noticed that Anna Sergeevna had spoiled herself too much and called her a lady. Arkady just shrugged. He also felt embarrassed.
Half an hour later they went down to the living room, where the hostess met them. During the conversation it turned out that the old princess still lived in the house and that a neighbor came to play cards. This is what makes up the whole society. A girl came into the living room with a basket of flowers. Odintsova introduced her sister Katya. She turned out to be shy, sat down next to her sister and began sorting out the flowers.
Odintsova invited Bazarov to argue about something, for example, about how to recognize and study people. Bazarov replied that there was no need to study them. Just as trees are similar to each other, so people are no different, perhaps just a little. If you recognize one person, consider that you have recognized them all. Odintsova asked, is there no difference between smart and stupid person, good and evil. “Like between a sick person and a healthy person,” answered Bazarov. In his opinion, all moral illnesses arise due to bad upbringing: “Correct society, and there will be no diseases.” This judgment surprised Anna Sergeevna; she wanted to continue the argument.
The old princess came down to tea. Odintsova and Katya treated her helpfully, served her a cup, laid out a pillow, but did not pay any attention to her words. Arkady and Bazarov realized that they were keeping her only for importance, since she princely origin. After tea, neighbor Porfiry Platonich, with whom Anna Sergeevna usually played cards, arrived. She invited Bazarov to join, and asked her sister to play something for Arkady. The young man began to feel as if he was being sent away; a “languorous feeling, similar to a premonition of love,” was brewing in him. Katya was very embarrassed by him and after playing the sonata, she seemed to withdraw into herself, answering Arkady’s questions in monosyllables.
Anna Sergeevna suggested that Bazarov take a walk in the garden the next day so that he could talk about Latin names plants. When the friends went to their room, Arkady exclaimed that Odintsova was a wonderful woman. Bazarov agreed, but called Katya a real miracle, since you can still make what you want out of her, and her sister is a “grated roll.” Anna Sergeevna thought about her guests, especially about Bazarov. She had never met people like him, so she was curious. The next day she and Bazarov went for a walk, and Arkady stayed with Katya. When Odintsova returned, Arkady noticed that her cheeks were slightly glowing, and her eyes were shining brighter than usual. Bazarov walked with a careless gait, but the expression on his face was cheerful and even affectionate, which Arkady did not like.
The friends lived with Odintsova for about fifteen days and did not experience boredom. This was partly facilitated by the special routine that the hostess herself and her guests adhered to. At eight o'clock everyone went down for morning tea. Before breakfast they did what they wanted, and Anna Sergeevna herself worked with the clerk. Before dinner, the society gathered for conversation, and the evening was devoted to walking, playing cards and music. Bazarov was slightly irritated by this routine. But Odintsova told him that without him in the village one could die of boredom.
Changes began to occur in Bazarovo. He felt slightly anxious, became angry, quickly became irritated, and spoke reluctantly. Arkady decided that Bazarov was in love with Odintsova, and indulged in despondency, which quickly passed in the company of Katya, with whom he felt at home. The constant separation of friends brought changes to their relationship. They no longer discussed Odintsova, Bazarov’s remarks about Katya were dry, and in general they talked less often than before.
But the real change in Bazarov was the feeling that Odintsova evoked in him. He liked women, but he called love romantic nonsense. He said that if you can’t get any sense out of a woman, then you need to turn away from her. He soon realized that he couldn't get anything out of her, but he couldn't turn away. In his thoughts, he imagined how Anna Sergeevna was in his arms and they were kissing. After that he was angry with himself and gnashed his teeth. Anna Sergeevna also thought about him, she wanted to test him and test herself.
One day Bazarov met his father’s clerk, who said that his parents were really waiting for him and were worried. Evgeny told Odintsova that he needed to leave, and she turned pale. In the evening she and Bazarov sat in her office. Odintsova asked him why he wanted to leave, saying that she would be bored without him. Evgeny objected that she would not be bored for a long time, since she had organized her life so correctly that there was no place for boredom in it. He did not understand why such a young, beautiful and intelligent woman imprisoned herself in the village, shunned society and at the same time invited two students to her place. He thought that she stayed in one place because she loved comfort and convenience, and was indifferent to everything else. She cannot be carried away by anything except what arouses her curiosity. Anna Sergeevna admitted to Bazarov that she was very unhappy, she loved comfort, but at the same time she did not want to live at all. It seems to her that she has been living for a very long time, she has many memories behind her, she has experienced both poverty and wealth, but in front of her she has no goal at all, she has no reason to live.
Bazarov noticed that her misfortune lies in the fact that she wants to fall in love, but cannot do it. Odintsova replied that for this you need to completely surrender to the person you love, and this is not so easy. She asked whether Bazarov could devote himself completely to another person. He replied that he did not know. She wanted to say something else to Eugene, but did not dare. Soon he said goodbye to her and left. Anna Sergeevna started to follow him, but then she ran into the maid and returned to her office.
The next day after morning tea, Anna Sergeevna went to her room and did not appear for breakfast. When the whole company had gathered in the living room, Odintsova asked Bazarov to go up to her office. At first they started talking about chemistry textbooks, but she interrupted him and said that she wanted to continue their conversation from yesterday. She wanted to know why, when people listen to music, talk to good people, they experience something like happiness, and is it really happiness? Then she asked what Bazarov wants to achieve from life? Anna Sergeevna did not believe that a person with such ambitions as Bazarov’s would want to be a simple county doctor. Evgeniy did not want to look into the future, so as not to later regret that he had wasted his time talking about it. Then Odintsova wanted to know what was happening to Bazarov now? She hoped that Eugene's tension would finally leave him and they would become good friends. Bazarov asked if Anna Sergeevna wanted to know the reason for his tension? She replied: “Yes.” And then Bazarov confessed his love to her.
He was not overcome by youthful horror after the first confession, he felt only passion. Bazarov attracted Anna Sergeevna to him. She lingered in his arms for a moment, but then quickly freed herself. “You didn’t understand me,” she whispered. Bazarov left. A little later, he sent her a note in which he wrote that if she wanted, he would leave right now. But she replied: “Why leave?” Until dinner, Anna Sergeevna did not leave her room. She kept asking herself what made her achieve Bazarov’s recognition? It even seemed to her that she could respond to his feelings, but then she decided that peace of mind was more valuable to her.
Odintsova was embarrassed when she appeared in the dining room. But lunch passed very calmly. Porfiry Platonich arrived and told several jokes. Arkady spoke quietly to Katya. Bazarov remained gloomily silent. After lunch the whole company went for a walk in the garden. Bazarov asked Odintsova for forgiveness for his actions and said that he intended to leave soon. He could stay only on one condition, but this condition will never come true, since Anna Sergeevna does not love him and will never love him. After that, he said goodbye to her and went into the house. Odintsova spent the whole day next to her sister. Arkady did not understand what was happening. Bazarov came down only for tea.
Sitnikov arrived, and inappropriately began to ask the hostess for forgiveness for appearing without an invitation. With his appearance everything became much easier. After lunch, Bazarov told Arkady that he was leaving for his parents tomorrow. Arkady also decided to leave. He understood that something had happened between his friend and Odintsova. However, he was sorry to part with Katya. He scolded Sitnikov out loud, to which Bazarov replied that he needed such boobies: “It’s not for the gods to burn pots!” Arkady thought that he was probably just such a fool for Bazarov.
When Odintsova learned about Bazarov’s departure the next day, she was not at all surprised. When saying goodbye, Odintsova expressed the hope that she and Bazarov would see each other again. On the way, Arkady noticed that his friend had changed. Bazarov replied that he would soon recover: “it is better to break stones on the pavement than to allow a woman to take possession of even the tip of a finger.” After that, the friends were silent the whole way.
When the friends arrived at the manor's house, they were met by Bazarov's father, Vasily Ivanovich. He was delighted at the arrival of his son, but tried not to show his feelings, because he knew that Evgeny did not like it. Bazarov’s mother, Arina Vlasyevna, ran out of the house. When she saw Evgeniy, she almost fainted, she was so glad of his arrival. The parents, out of joy, did not even notice Arkady right away, but then they began to apologize for such a reception. Vasily Ivanovich led the guests into his office, and Arina Vlasyevna went to the kitchen to hurry up dinner.
Vasily Ivanovich talked all the time: about how he runs the household, what books he reads, how he does medical work, he remembered several tales from his former soldier’s life. Arkady smiled out of politeness, Bazarov was silent and sometimes inserted short remarks. Finally we went to lunch. Vasily Ivanovich was again talking about something, and Arina Vlasyevna kept looking at her son, not noticing Arkady. Then the father took everyone to see the garden in which he had planted new trees.
Before going to bed, Bazarov kissed his mother and went to sleep in his father’s office. Vasily Ivanovich wanted to talk to him, but Evgeny referred to fatigue. In fact, he did not fall asleep until the morning, staring angrily into the darkness. But Arkady slept very well.
When Arkady woke up and opened the window, he saw Vasily Ivanovich, diligently digging in the garden. The old man started talking about his son. He wanted to know what Arkady thought of him. The guest replied that Bazarov is the most wonderful person such as he had ever met in his life. He is confident that Evgeniy will definitely achieve success and glorify his family name. Vasily Ivanovich was happy to hear this. He complained only that Evgeny did not like to express his feelings and did not allow others to do this to him.
Closer to noon, the young people settled down on a haystack. Bazarov recalled his childhood. He was sure that his parents had a good life, they were constantly busy with business. And he said to himself that he occupied little space compared to all the other space, and his life was insignificant before eternity. And at the same time, he also wants something, his blood is pumping, his brain is working.
His parents do not feel their insignificance, while Bazarov himself feels “boredom and anger.” He pointed to an ant dragging a fly. An ant, unlike people, does not experience feelings of compassion, so it cannot break itself. Arkady objected that Bazarov would never be able to break himself. “I didn’t break myself, so the woman won’t break me,” exclaimed Bazarov. Arkady suggested that he take a nap to drive away the melancholy. Bazarov asked not to look at him sleeping, because he would have a stupid face. “Do you care what they think of you?” - asked Arkady. Bazarov replied that a real person should not care what they think of him, because a real person must either be listened to or hated. For example, he hates everyone, and will change his opinion about himself only when he meets a person who will not save in front of him.
Arkady did not want to agree with him. Then he saw a maple leaf falling to the ground, and told a friend about it. Bazarov asked him not to say “beautifully”, otherwise he would follow in the footsteps of his uncle, whom he called an idiot. Arkady stood up for his uncle. A quarrel broke out between friends. They were ready to fight, but then Vasily Ivanovich came. He said that dinner would soon be served, which would be attended by Father Alexei, who, at his mother’s request, served a prayer service on the occasion of Evgeniy’s return. Bazarov said that he was not against Alexei’s father if he did not eat his portion. After lunch we sat down to play cards. Arina Vlasyevna again looked steadily at her son.
The next day, Bazarov told his friend that he was going to go to the village to visit Arkady, because he was bored here and could not work, because his parents were always nearby. And he will return home later. Arkady noticed that he was very sorry for his parents, especially his mother. It was only towards evening that Bazarov decided to tell his father about his decision. It upset Vasily Ivanovich very much, but he stood firm and said that if Evgeny had to go, then he had to. When the friends left the next day, everything in the house immediately became sad. The old people were left alone. “He abandoned us, he abandoned us,” Vasily Ivanovich babbled, “he abandoned us; He got bored with us. One, like a finger now, one!” Arina Vlasyevna leaned against him, trying to console him.
The friends drove to the inn in silence. Only then did Arkady ask Bazarov where they would go: home or to Odintsova’s. Bazarov left the decision to him, but he turned away. Arkady ordered to go to Odintsova. From the way the butler greeted them, the friends realized that no one was waiting for them. They sat for a long time with stupid faces in the living room, until Anna Sergeevna came down to them. She behaved with them as usual, but spoke abruptly and reluctantly, from which it was clear that she was not very happy about their appearance. During the farewell, she apologized for the slightly cold reception and invited them to her place after a while.
Friends went to Arkady. They were very happy at the Kirsanovs' house. During dinner they began to ask about this and that. Arkady did most of the talking. Nikolai Petrovich complained about the allotment on the estate: the workers were lazy, the peasants did not pay the rent, the manager was completely lazy and even got fat on the master’s food, there were not enough people for the harvest.
The next day, Bazarov set to work on his frogs, Arkady considered it his duty to help his father. However, he noticed that he was constantly thinking about the village of Nikolskoye. He walked until he was tired to clear his head, but it didn’t help him. He asked his father to find letters from Odintsova’s mother that she wrote to his mother. When they were in his hands, he calmed down, as if he saw a goal in front of him that he had to follow. Finally, ten days after returning home, he came up with an excuse and went to Nikolskoye. He was afraid that he would receive the same reception as in last time, but I was wrong. Katya and Anna Sergeevna were glad of his arrival.
Bazarov understood why his friend left his parents’ house, so he finally retired and did only his work. He no longer argued with Pavel Petrovich. Only once did an argument arise between them again, but they immediately stopped it. Pavel Petrovich was even sometimes present during Bazarov’s experiments. But Nikolai Petrovich visited him much more often. During dinners, he tried to talk about physics, geology or chemistry, since other topics could cause a clash. Pavel Petrovich still could not stand Bazarov. He didn't even want to ask him for help when he had a severe seizure one night. Only with Fenechka did Bazarov communicate more willingly than with everyone else, and she was not at all afraid of him. They often talked, although under Nikolai Petrovich she avoided Bazarov out of a sense of decency. Fenechka was generally afraid of Pavel Petrovich, especially if he suddenly appeared in front of her.
One morning, Bazarov saw Fenechka sorting roses in the gazebo. They started talking. Fenechka said that she doesn’t want to become old, because now she does everything herself, doesn’t ask anyone for help, and in old age she will be dependent. Bazarov replied that he didn’t care whether he was old or young, because no one needed his youth, since he lived as a bore. He asked Fenechka to read something from his book, because he really wanted to see how she would read. He began to compliment her, and she became embarrassed. Bazarov asked her for one rose.
Suddenly it seemed to her that Pavel Petrovich was very close. She admitted that she was very afraid of him, because he didn’t say anything, but just looked at her. Bazarov asked Fenechka to smell the flower that she gave him. She reached out to him, and Bazarov kissed her on the lips. There was a cough behind the lilac, and Fenechka quickly moved away. It was Pavel Petrovich. Seeing them, he quickly left. “It’s a sin for you, Evgeny Vasilyevich,” Fenechka whispered, leaving the gazebo. Bazarov remembered another such scene, and he felt ashamed and annoyed.
Pavel Petrovich returned home and, when asked by his brother why his face was so dark, he replied that he sometimes suffers from a spill of bile.
Two hours later, Pavel Petrovich came to Bazarov’s room. He said that it would not take him much time, he only needed to know how Bazarov felt about the duel. Evgeniy replied that from a theoretical point of view this is absurd, but from a practical point of view it is a completely different matter. Then Pavel Petrovich challenged him to a duel. He did not want to reveal the true reasons for his decision, which should be known to Bazarov. But since there have always been disputes and misunderstandings between them, this could be the reason. For formality, Kirsanov proposed a small quarrel, but Bazarov thought this was unnecessary. They discussed the details of the duel. Instead of seconds, who were nowhere to be found anyway, they decided to take Peter’s valet and agreed to meet tomorrow at dawn.
After Pavel Petrovich left, Bazarov exclaimed: “Ugh, damn! How beautiful and how stupid! What a comedy we have pulled off!” He understood that it was impossible to refuse, because then Pavel Petrovich could hit him with his cane, and Bazarov would have to “strangle him like a kitten.” He began to think about why Kirsanov challenged him to a duel, and came to the conclusion that he was most likely in love with Fenechka.
The day passed quietly and sluggishly. Fenechka was hiding in her room. Nikolai Petrovich complained about wheat. Pavel Petrovich overwhelmed everyone with his chilling politeness. Bazarov wanted to write a letter to his father, but tore it up. He told Peter to come to him early tomorrow morning for a serious conversation, and he himself slept poorly all night.
The next day, Peter woke up Bazarov at four o'clock, and they went to the place of the duel. Bazarov explained to the servant what was required of him, saying that this was a very important and responsible role, and the footman was scared to death. Soon Pavel Petrovich appeared. He began to load the pistols, while Bazarov, meanwhile, counted the steps for the barrier. This idea seemed very stupid to Bazarov, so he joked all the time and spoke exaggeratedly beautifully, but was not at all afraid. Pavel Petrovich said that he was going to fight seriously.
The opponents dispersed. Pavel Petrovich shot first, but missed. Bazarov, who was not aiming at all and did not even look at the enemy, wounded him in the leg. Pavel Petrovich said that, according to the conditions of the duel, they could shoot again, but Bazarov suggested postponing until next time, since now he is, first of all, a doctor and must examine the wound. Pavel Petrovich began to protest, but then he lost consciousness, but soon came to his senses. Bazarov ordered Peter to go to the estate to get a stroller, and Kirsanov ordered him not to tell his brother anything. Peter left, and the opponents did not know what to talk about, or whether they should talk at all. “The silence lasted, heavy and awkward. Both were not feeling well. Each of them was aware that the other understood him. This consciousness is pleasant for friends, and very unpleasant for enemies, especially when it is impossible to either explain or disperse.” Then they started talking and decided to tell everyone that they had quarreled over political differences.
Nikolai Petrovich arrived with Peter, who was very scared for his brother. He asked Bazarov to tend to his wound until another doctor arrived from the city. Pavel Petrovich was taken to the estate. They looked after him all day. The doctor arrived and prescribed him soft drinks and said that the wound was not dangerous. Pavel Petrovich sometimes became delirious, but quickly came to his senses. One day he woke up, saw Nikolai Petrovich in front of him and said that Fenechka had something of Princess R. He said that he would not tolerate it if some impudent person touched her. Nikolai Petrovich decided that his brother had a fever.
The next day, Bazarov came to Nikolai Petrovich to say goodbye. Pavel Petrovich also wanted to see him. But he did not manage to say goodbye to Fenechka, who after the duel began to be afraid of Bazarov.
Pavel Petrovich lay in bed for about a week, then moved to the sofa. Fenichka's conscience did not torment her, although she suspected the real reason duels. She was still afraid of Pavel Petrovich and when she brought him food, she tried not to look at him. One day Pavel Petrovich spoke to her. He asked why she didn't look at him as if she had a guilty conscience, and if she loved his brother. Fenechka replied that she loved him very much and would not exchange him for anyone. Pavel Petrovich began to ask Fenechka to always love her brother and never leave him. After that, he pressed her hand to his lips. At this time Nikolai Petrovich entered with Mitya in his arms. Fenechka took the child and hurriedly left. Pavel Petrovich asked his brother to fulfill his duty and marry Fenechka. Nikolai Petrovich was very surprised. He said that he did not do this earlier only because his brother was always against such marriages, but promised to fulfill his wish. And Pavel Petrovich thought to himself that after his brother’s wedding he would go abroad and never return.
Arkady and Katya were sitting in the garden. “They were both silent; but it was precisely in the way they were silent, in the way they sat next to each other, that a trusting rapprochement was evident: each of them seemed not to think about his neighbor, but secretly rejoiced at his closeness.” Then they started talking. Katya said that she and her sister changed him, now he is not as similar to Bazarov as before. Arkady asked what she thought of his friend. Katya replied that he was a stranger to her and she was a stranger to him. Bazarov is predatory, while she and Arkady are tame. For some time he impressed Anna Sergeevna, but no one can influence her for too long. Arkady began to compare Katya and Anna Sergeevna. They both had the same character traits, although in Anna Sergeevna they were revealed more than in Katya. Katya asked not to compare them: unlike her sister, she would not marry a rich man, even if she loved him, she is ready to submit to her loved one, but inequality is scary for her. Arkady assured that he would not exchange Katya for anyone, even Anna Sergeevna, and hastily left. He returned to the house and found Bazarov in his room. Evgeniy told him in a few words about latest events on the estate and assured him that everything was fine with his uncle. Arkady realized that Bazarov had come to say goodbye to him, but did not understand why. Bazarov replied that Arkady had said goodbye to him a long time ago, hinted that his friend was in love with Odintsova and, it seemed, things were going well for them. He said that he only came to say goodbye, he didn’t even want to see Anna Sergeevna.
But Odintsova found out about Bazarov’s arrival and wanted to meet him. Bazarov assured her that he had already realized his past mistakes. Odintsova wanted to remain friends with him. They spoke as if they themselves believed in their words. Bazarov hinted that Arkady was in love with Anna Sergeevna, but it turned out that Odintsova did not suspect this. Then she invited him to go into the hall, in which Katya and the old princess were already sitting. Only Arkady was missing. It was not long before he was found. He sat in the farthest corner of the garden and looked as if he had finally decided on something.
The next day, Arkady and Katya were sitting in the gazebo, which Odintsova did not like to be in. Arkady said that they had been communicating for a long time, talked about many things, but did not touch on one more issue. He still couldn't find the right words. Katya knew what he was getting at, but she sat with her head down, as if she didn’t want to help him speak out. Suddenly they heard a conversation between Odintsova and Bazarov, who were walking near the gazebo and did not see the young people. Anna Sergeevna said that she was flattered by Arkady’s feelings. He is so young, so there is some charm in his feeling. And with Katya he behaves like an older brother. Their conversation faded into the distance. And then Arkady plucked up courage, confessed his love to Katya and asked her hand. Katya agreed.
The next day, Odintsova showed Bazarov a letter in which Arkady asks her permission to marry Katya. Bazarov advised her to allow this marriage. Odintsova asked Bazarov to stay on her estate for a little while longer, but he hurried to leave. While he was packing, he congratulated his friend on his characteristic swagger and poorly concealed anger. He said that Arkady was not suitable for the things that Bazarov preached: “Our dust will eat your eyes, our dirt will stain you, and you have not grown up to us...” When parting, Arkady hugged his friend, but Bazarov said that Katya he will be quickly consoled. And in fact, talking with Katya in the evening, Arkady no longer remembered his friend.
Bazarov's parents were very happy about their son's return, especially since they were not expecting him soon. Evgeniy again began to live in his father’s office and worked there. This time his parents did not interfere with him much; his mother was even afraid to speak to him. Bazarov plunged into work. But soon the fever of work left him, and he felt restless and began to seek company. His condition worried his parents, but they were afraid to ask him anything directly. When one day Vasily Ivanovich began to carefully ask him about his work, about Arkady, Bazarov became angry.
Finally, Evgeniy found something to do - he and his father began practicing medicine. Vasily Ivanovich was so happy about this that he even kept the tooth that Evgeniy pulled out from the man and showed it to everyone as a landmark.
One day a man brought his brother from the village, who was sick with typhus. But the Bazarovs said that it was too late to treat him, he would not recover. Three days later, Eugene came to his father and asked him for a hellstone to cauterize the wound. He said that he was present at the autopsy of that man with typhus and cut himself. Vasily Ivanovich got scared and offered to burn him with iron, but Bazarov replied that it was four hours ago. If he has become infected, then there is nothing you can do to help him now.
Soon Bazarov fell ill. He lost his appetite and developed chills and fever. But he said it was a cold. He spent the whole night in a half-forgetful doze. He ordered his father not to stand over him, but Vasily Ivanovich went out into the corridor and spent the whole night in front of his son’s door. In the morning, Bazarov tried to get up, but he became dizzy and started bleeding. Everything in the house seemed to turn black, and it became very quiet. Bazarov told Vasily Ivanovich that he had contracted typhus and was now unlikely to recover. The father was frightened and began to assure him that it would soon pass, but Bazarov showed him the red spots on his body and said that nothing could be done to help him. He asked to send for Odintsova and tell her that he was dying.
Vasily Ivanovich went to his wife and told her the terrible news. A doctor arrived who confirmed Bazarov’s fears, but said a few words about a possible recovery. Bazarov spent the night very poorly. The next day he felt a little better. Vasily Ivanovich was even happy, but Bazarov knew that this was only a temporary improvement. His father asked him to fulfill his duty as a Christian and take communion before his death, but Bazarov said that he should be given communion when he is unconscious.
Odintsova has arrived. Vasily Ivanovich called her an angel, and Arina Vlasyevna fell at her feet and began to kiss the hem of her dress. Anna Sergeevna felt awkward. She brought a German doctor with her. He examined the patient and reported that there was no chance of recovery. Then Anna Sergeevna went to Bazarov. His appearance made a painful impression on her. “The thought that she would have felt differently if she really loved him instantly flashed through her head.” Bazarov said that he loved her: “It didn’t make any sense before, but now it makes even more sense.” He called her nice, beautiful, admitted that he would not like to die so early, called himself a giant and said that now the giant’s task is to die with dignity. He assumed that Odintsova would soon forget him, asked her to take care of his parents, since people like them could not be found during the day. Bazarov asked Odintsova to kiss him: “Blow on the dying lamp and let it go out.” Then he fell asleep.
Bazarov was no longer destined to wake up. By evening he fell into unconsciousness and died in the morning. The priest performed the necessary rituals on him. “When the holy ointment touched his chest, one of his eyes opened and, it seemed, at the sight of a priest in vestments, a smoking censer, candles in front of the image, something similar to a shudder of horror was instantly reflected on his dead face.” When Bazarov died, “Vasily Ivanovich was seized with a sudden frenzy,” “Arina Vlasyevna, all in tears, hung on his neck, and both of them fell on their faces.”
Six months have passed. Two weddings took place in the small parish church: Arkady with Katya and Nikolai Petrovich with Fenechka. Two weeks later there was a farewell dinner dedicated to Pavel Petrovich. Everyone gathered at the table, even Mitya was placed here. “Everyone was a little awkward, a little sad and, in essence, very good.” Nikolai Petrovich began to make a toast, but, since he did not know how to make speeches, he lost his way. He wished his brother all the best and a speedy return. Pavel Petrovich kissed everyone. When everyone raised their glasses, Katya quietly whispered to Arkady: “In memory of Bazarov.” Arkady squeezed her hand tightly, but did not dare to loudly propose this toast.
Anna Sergeevna married, not out of love, but out of conviction, into one of the future Russian leaders. They live very amicably “and will live, perhaps, to happiness... perhaps to love.” The old princess died and was forgotten by everyone on the same day. Arkady took up farming, and the farm began to generate considerable income. Nikolai Petrovich became a peace mediator.
Katya had a son, Kolya, she and Fenechka became very good friends and spent all their days together.
Pavel Petrovich went to Dresden and stayed to live there. He knows more about the English. “But life is hard for him... harder than he himself suspects.”
Kukshina also ended up abroad. Now she studies architecture and still hangs out with young students. Sitnikov married a rich heiress. His father still oppresses him, and his wife calls him a fool and a liberal.
Two Christmas trees grow on Bazarov’s grave. Often two decrepit old men come to him. They support each other and, on their knees, cry and pray for a long time.
“No matter how passionate, sinful, rebellious the heart may be hidden in the grave, the flowers growing on it serenely look at us with their innocent eyes... they also speak of eternal reconciliation and endless life.”
May 20, 1859 Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov, a forty-three-year-old, but already middle-aged landowner, worriedly awaits his son at the inn Arcadia who just graduated from university.
Nikolai Petrovich was the son of a general, but destined for him military career did not take place (he broke his leg in his youth and remained “lame” for the rest of his life). Nikolai Petrovich married the daughter of a lowly official early and was happy in his marriage. To his deep grief, his wife died in 1847. He devoted all his energy and time to raising his son, even in St. Petersburg he lived with him and tried to get closer to his son’s friends and students. Lately he busily began transforming his estate.
The happy moment of the date arrives. However, Arkady does not appear alone: with him is a tall, ugly and self-confident young man, an aspiring doctor who agreed to stay with the Kirsanovs. His name, as he attests to himself, is Evgeniy Vasilyevich Bazarov.
The conversation between father and son does not go well at first. Nikolai Petrovich is embarrassed by Fenechka, the girl whom he keeps with him and with whom he already has a child. Arkady, in a condescending tone (this slightly offends his father), tries to smooth out the awkwardness that has arisen.
Pavel Petrovich, their father’s elder brother, is waiting for them at home. Pavel Petrovich and Bazarov immediately begin to feel mutual antipathy. But the yard boys and servants willingly obey the guest, although he does not even think about seeking their favor.
The very next day between Bazarov And Pavel Petrovich a verbal skirmish occurs, and its initiator is Kirsanov Sr. Bazarov does not want to polemicize, but still speaks out on the main points of his beliefs. People, according to his ideas, strive for one or another goal because they experience different “sensations” and want to achieve “benefits.” Bazarov is sure that chemistry is more important than art, and in science it is most important practical result. He is even proud of his lack of “artistic sense” and believes that there is no need to study the psychology of an individual: “One human specimen is enough to judge all others.” For Bazarov, there is not a single “resolution in our modern life... that would not cause complete and merciless denial.” He has a high opinion of his own abilities, but assigns a non-creative role to his generation - “first we need to clear the place.”
To Pavel Petrovich, the “nihilism” professed by Bazarov and Arkady, who imitates him, seems to be a daring and unfounded teaching that exists “in the void.”
Arkady tries to somehow smooth out the tension that has arisen and tells his friend the life story of Pavel Petrovich. He was a brilliant and promising officer, a favorite of women, until he met the socialite Princess R*. This passion completely changed the existence of Pavel Petrovich, and when their romance ended, he was completely devastated. From the past he retains only the sophistication of his costume and manners and his preference for everything English.
Bazarov’s views and behavior irritate Pavel Petrovich so much that he again attacks the guest, but he quite easily and even condescendingly breaks down all the enemy’s “syllogisms” aimed at protecting traditions. Nikolai Petrovich strives to soften the dispute, but he cannot agree with Bazarov’s radical statements in everything, although he convinces himself that he and his brother are already behind the times.
The young people go to the provincial town, where they meet with Bazarov’s “student”, the son of a tax farmer, Sitnikov. Sitnikov takes them to visit the “emancipated” lady, Kukshina. Sitnikov and Kukshina belong to that category of “progressives” who reject any authority, chasing the fashion for “free thinking.” They don’t really know or know how to do anything, but in their “nihilism” they leave both Arkady and Bazarov far behind them. The latter openly despises Sitnikova, and with Kukshina he “is more interested in champagne.”
Arkady introduces his friend to Odintsova, a young, beautiful and rich widow, in whom Bazarov immediately becomes interested. This interest is by no means platonic. Bazarov cynically says to Arkady: “There is profit...”
It seems to Arkady that he is in love with Odintsova, but this feeling is feigned, while mutual attraction arises between Bazarov and Odintsova, and she invites young people to stay with her.
At Anna Sergeevna's house, guests meet her younger sister Katya, who behaves stiffly. And Bazarov feels out of place, he began to get irritated in the new place and “looked angry.” Arkady is also uneasy, and he seeks solace in Katya’s company.
The feeling instilled in Bazarov by Anna Sergeevna is new to him; he, who so despised all manifestations of “romanticism,” suddenly discovers “romanticism in himself.” Bazarov explains to Odintsova, and although she did not immediately free herself from his embrace, however, after thinking, she comes to the conclusion that “peace […] is better than anything in the world.”
Not wanting to become a slave to his passion, Bazarov goes to his father, a district doctor who lives nearby, and Odintsova does not keep the guest. On the road, Bazarov sums up what happened and says: “...It is better to break stones on the pavement than to allow a woman to take possession of even the tip of a finger. This is all […] nonsense.”
Bazarov’s father and mother can’t get enough of their beloved “Enyusha,” and he gets bored in their company. After just a couple of days, he leaves his parents’ shelter, returning to the Kirsanov estate.
Out of heat and boredom, Bazarov turns his attention to Fenechka and, finding her alone, kisses the young woman deeply. An accidental witness to the kiss is Pavel Petrovich, who is deeply outraged by the act of “this hairy guy.” He is especially indignant also because it seems to him that Fenechka has something in common with Princess R*.
According to his moral convictions, Pavel Petrovich challenges Bazarov to a duel. Feeling awkward and realizing that he is compromising his principles, Bazarov agrees to shoot with Kirsanov Sr. (“From a theoretical point of view, a duel is absurd; well, from a practical point of view, this is a different matter”).
Bazarov slightly wounds the enemy and himself gives him first aid. Pavel Petrovich behaves well, even makes fun of himself, but at the same time both he and Bazarov feel awkward. Nikolai Petrovich, from whom they hid the real reason duel, also behaves in the most noble manner, finding justification for the actions of both opponents.
The consequence of the duel is that Pavel Petrovich, who had previously strongly opposed his brother’s marriage to Fenechka, now himself persuades Nikolai Petrovich to take this step.
And Arkady and Katya establish a harmonious understanding. The girl astutely notes that Bazarov is a stranger to them, because “he is predatory, and you and I are tame.”
Having finally lost hope of Odintsova’s reciprocity, Bazarov breaks himself and breaks up with her and Arkady. In parting, he says to his former comrade: “You are a nice fellow, but you are still a soft, liberal gentleman...” Arkady is upset, but soon enough he is consoled by Katya’s company, declares his love to her and is assured that he is loved too.
Bazarov returns to his parents’ home and tries to lose himself in his work, but after a few days “the fever of work disappeared from him and was replaced by dreary boredom and dull anxiety.” He tries to talk to the men, but finds nothing but stupidity in their heads. True, the men also see in Bazarov something “like a clown.”
While practicing on the corpse of a typhoid patient, Bazarov wounds his finger and gets blood poisoning. A few days later he notifies his father that, by all indications, his days are numbered.
Before his death, Bazarov asks Odintsova to come and say goodbye to him. He reminds her of his love and admits that all his proud thoughts, like love, have gone to waste. “And now the giant’s whole task is to die decently, although no one cares about this... All the same: I won’t wag my tail.” He says bitterly that Russia does not need him. “And who is needed? I need a shoemaker, I need a tailor, I need a butcher..."
When Bazarov is given communion at the insistence of his parents, “something similar to a shudder of horror was instantly reflected on his dead face.”
Six months pass. Two couples are getting married in a small village church: Arkady and Katya and Nikolai Petrovich and Fenechka. Everyone was happy, but something in this contentment felt artificial, “as if everyone had agreed to act out some kind of simple-minded comedy.”
Over time, Arkady becomes a father and a zealous owner, and as a result of his efforts, the estate begins to generate significant income. Nikolai Petrovich takes on the responsibilities of a peace mediator and works hard in the public sphere. Pavel Petrovich lives in Dresden and, although he still looks like a gentleman, “life is hard for him.”
Kukshina lives in Heidelberg and hangs out with students, studying architecture, in which, according to her, she discovered new laws. Sitnikov married the princess who pushed him around, and, as he assures, continues Bazarov’s “work”, working as a publicist in some dark magazine.
Decrepit old men often come to Bazarov’s grave and cry bitterly and pray for the repose of the soul of their untimely deceased son. The flowers on the grave mound remind of more than just the tranquility of “indifferent” nature; they also talk about eternal reconciliation and endless life...