Article menu:
Life is full of paradoxes, you can easily find many such examples. One of them is the diametrical opposite in character and life principles the closest, in related senses, people.
Very often, brothers and sisters radically differ from each other, which causes sincere bewilderment. A similar situation is described by I. Turgenev in the novel "Fathers and Sons".
The place of the image of Nikolai Kirsanov in the novel and his relationship with his brother
Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov is one of the main characters of the novel. He is not an active figure in the events described, but it is difficult to overestimate his importance and participation in the conflict. Compared with other characters, Turgenev deprives Nikolai Petrovich of activity - the character appears at key moments, and his image is made up mainly of fragments and hints from the author, but at the same time, one cannot fail to note the influence of Nikolai Petrovich on the outcome of the conflict and the strong influence of this very conflict on Kirsanov's life.
Ivan Turgenev closely connects his character with the image of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, his elder brother. All descriptions and events life path Nikolai Petrovich are compared with certain events or qualities of the brother's character. In other words, we can say that the whole life of Nikolai Petrovich passes in comparison with the life and personality of his brother.
Childhood and youth of Nikolai Kirsanov
The tendency to compare and contrast the personalities of brothers dates back to childhood. In the descriptions, the reader notices that the image of the older brother is contradictory contrasted with the image of the younger.
First of all, this is expressed in the willingness to follow in the footsteps of his father. Peter Kirsanov was originally a hereditary nobleman, but their family did not have much influence. The situation was corrected by merits in the field military service- his authority increased significantly, and in the rural wilderness, where their family estate was located, he became an indispensable and highly respected person.
Based on this turn of events, the fate of the boys was predetermined - they also had to start military service. For the eldest son, this was a feasible task - he had a tough and firm character. The younger one was a man of a completely different composition - soft and impressionable, he was not at all suitable for a military career. To this all was added a certain timidity and cowardice: he "not only did not differ in courage, but even earned the nickname of a coward." The resulting leg injury, which made the boy lame for the rest of his life, saved Nikolai Kirsanov from a heavy burden. The parents had no choice but to send their son to the university. “Father waved his hand at him and let him go in civilian clothes ...”
In "1835, Nikolai Petrovich left the university as a candidate."
Nikolai Kirsanov and Masha Prepolovenskaya
The troubles associated with Nikolai were not limited to physical trauma. Soon the parents were shocked by yet another unpleasant news about their younger son. This time, the reason was falling in love - their Nikolai was head over heels in love with the daughter of the "official Prepolovensky" Masha. Turgenev does not go into the details of the case, but states a fact - the parents were extremely unhappy with the choice of their son, they believed that the girl was unworthy to be Nikolai's wife.
We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the “characteristics of Pavel Kirsanov”
The tense situation was defused by the death of his parents - authoritarianism in relation to Nikolai was excluded, and there were no longer any obstacles to the marriage of lovers. after waiting right time for mourning, the young married. Parents' fears about the inconsistency and fallacy of marriage with Masha were in vain. "The couple lived very well and quietly: they almost never parted." Family life Kirsanova looked like a utopia, but this fairy tale was suddenly interrupted - Masha dies after ten years of married life. Nikolai Petrovich has only memories of her and little son Arkady.
The appearance of Nikolai Petrovich
"Nikolai Petrovich limped, had small, pleasant, but somewhat sad features, small black eyes and soft, liquid hair."
Turgenev pays little attention to describing the appearance of his characters, especially in cases where the wardrobe does not become an object. constant attention character. Nikolai Petrovich belongs to the second category of characters - he is indifferent to fashion trends and appreciates convenience in clothes. He does not conduct long time, like his older brother at the toilet and with a certain degree of indifference to the state of his suit, but at the same time he does not start it.
Relations between Nikolai Petrovich and Arkady
It was in Arcadia that Nikolai Petrovich found solace and the meaning of life after the loss of his wife. Despite all his gentleness of character and great grief that suddenly surging, Kirsanov understands that he cannot afford to be covered with a wave of blues - in this case, he will lose absolutely everything and, after that, he is unlikely to be able to change the situation.
In relation to Arkady, Nikolai Petrovich does not hesitate to show the most tender feelings, he is alien to the rigidity and pragmatism that were common among fathers. He can gently hug his son, languish in anticipation of his arrival and miss him unspeakably. In a word, the behavior of Kirsanov the father is more similar to the behavior of the mother than the father. This state of affairs does not bother either father or son.
Arkady is also very attached to his father, he considers him a good and kind person. Arkady often speaks well of his father: “Father is a kind fellow, you are the kindest and most clever man in the world".
Life after the death of his wife
After the loss of his wife, Kirsanov finally moved to the village and took up the affairs of the Maryino estate. Their family estate was “a good estate of two hundred souls, or, as he puts it since he separated from the peasants and started a “farm,” two thousand acres of land.”
Unfortunately, the gentleness of character and lack of practicality do not allow Nikolai Petrovich to improve things on the estate “life did not turn out very nicely in Maryino, and poor Nikolai Petrovich had a bad time. The chores on the farm grew every day - cheerless, stupid chores.
Thanks to the diligence of Nikolai Petrovich, things do not look completely terrible - the estate somehow keeps afloat. Pavel Petrovich believes that the main reason why things went downhill is his brother’s impracticality: “Brother is not quite practical,” he reasoned with himself, “he is being deceived.”
Romance in the life of Nikolai Kirsanov
Nikolai Petrovich has always been an impressionable and romantic person. Most young people have this commitment, but over time, under the influence of life difficulties, romanticism is replaced by pragmatism. This did not happen in relation to Nikolai Petrovich - he retains a romantic mood until the end of his days. The bulk of the events of the novel fall on Nikolai Petrovich's age limit of 44 years.
In part, the preservation of romanticism was affected by his country life. “He liked to dream; rural life developed this ability in him.
Nikolai Petrovich did not leave music lessons, and although his musical skills were far from ideal, he still does not neglect playing the piano and cello - he experiences catharsis.
The next way gain peace of mind for Kirsanov, reading books becomes. Pushkin's poems were especially popular with him. Often, admiring nature, a wide variety of verses came to his mind and he replayed the familiar text with pleasure in his head.
Nikolai Petrovich and Fenya
Undoubtedly, the death of his wife was a huge loss in the life of Kirsanov. The image of Masha became a key, ideal for him. At times he gave in to nostalgia and dreamed of old days when he was happy with his wife. He sincerely wanted Masha to come to life and he could once again feel her warmth next to him. Whatever the significant loss, time gradually replaced it in Kirsanov's life, 10 years after the death of his wife, a spark arose new love.
We offer you to get acquainted with the “image of Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov” in I. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons”.
The object of tender feelings this time was a girl of ignoble origin - Fenya. She moved with her mother to the Kirsanov estate, after Nikolai Petrovich offered the woman a service on his estate. At that time, Fenya was a little girl. Time passed, and from a little girl, a very attractive and pious woman turned out. Kirsanov falls in love with her, and after the death of her mother begins an affair. These relationships do not become a fleeting hobby in Kirsanov's life - he has love for the girl, and this feeling is mutual. Kirsanov is in no hurry to get married - he is worried about possible condemnation from the aristocracy, but lives with Fenya as with a legal wife. Under the influence of the request of Pavel Petrovich, the wedding nevertheless took place.
Nikolai Kirsanov and Evgeny Bazarov
The appearance of Arkady's friend, the nihilist doctor Yevgeny Bazarov, could not pass unnoticed in the life of Nikolai Kirsanov.
life positions Nikolai Petrovich and Evgeny are too different. Eugene is a specific person, he likes to provoke people into a conflict, but, despite all the disagreements, Nikolai Petrovich does not enter into an argument or discussion. Kirsanov softly asks Bazarov about his position, but at the slightest hint of a discussion, he stops the discussion. This behavior of Kirsanov is connected with the desire to please his son. Arkady is delighted with his new friend, and his father does not want to become a stumbling block between them. On the other hand, Nikolai Petrovich realizes that his time has come to “swallow the bitter pill” of the new time - new orders have come and old people like him are not able to succeed in the course of their development.
The third reason that hinders the discussion is Kirsanov's dislike for conflicts and disputes.
Thus, Nikolai Kirsanov has a calm temperament, he is not characterized by harsh judgments or actions. He is romantic and emotional person- not capable of meanness and deceit. hallmark Nikolai Petrovich is a sense of tact and delicacy. In general, it is positive and a kind person endowed with wisdom and the ability to deeply analyze the situation.
Characteristics of Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov in the novel "Fathers and Sons": description of appearance and character in quotes
5 (100%) 5 votesAt the center of Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons", written on the eve of the reform of 1861, is the problem of the relationship between generations. It is considered both from the point of view of the socio-historical conflict of generations of "fathers"-liberals and "children"-nihilists, and the eternal conflict of fathers and children within the family. From the position of the first conflict, the image of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is considered, and the image of Nikolai Petrovich is included in the second. This determines the difference in their role and significance in the novel, as well as the difference in the characters and destinies of the two Kirsanov brothers.
At first it seems that there is much in common between them: they both belong to the layer of the noble intelligentsia, are well educated, brought up in the best traditions noble culture, both people are thinking and sensitive. Nikolai Petrovich is more poetic, passionate about music, while Pavel Petrovich is somewhat dry, strict in manners, and even in the countryside dresses like a "dandy of London." But in general, both of them represent, in the words of Turgenev, "cream" noble society. At the same time, each of the Kirsanov brothers experienced a lot: Pavel Petrovich had a romantic, all-consuming love for the mysterious Countess R., and Nikolai Petrovich cannot forget his beloved wife, mother of Arkady. By the time the novel began, each of them was destined to survive the loss of a beloved woman, and both of them had already crossed the forty-year milestone. True, Nikolai Petrovich is trying to create new family with a young woman, Fenechka, and with trepidation awaits how Arkady will perceive the birth of his younger brother. Pavel Petrovich has never been married, he keeps the memory of the countess, although he is also secretly in love with Fenechka.
The Kirsanov brothers are perceived by young heroes - Arkady and Bazarov - as representatives of the generation of fathers, almost old people who are living out their lives. At the same time, both brothers do not agree with such an assessment of their capabilities: they are still full of strength and ready to defend their positions. But in how they do it, the difference in their characters and capabilities affects. Pavel Petrovich, faced with the nihilist Bazarov, is ready to rush into battle and wages an uncompromising struggle for the "principles" so dear to him. Literally everything in Bazarov irritates him - the manner of dressing, speaking, behaving, but the merciless Bazarov denial of everything that is so dear to Kirsanov Sr. is especially hateful to him. This confrontation first turns into an ideological dispute, and then leads to a duel. But the fates of Pavel Petrovich and Bazarov are similar: both are doomed to a lonely, bobyl life, which ends with a break with everything that was dear to them. Bazarov dies, and Pavel Petrovich, who has become like a dead man, lives out his life in England, away from his family and friends.
Nikolai Petrovich, on the contrary, is much softer in his attitude towards young generation, he is even ready to agree with them on something and is trying to understand what worries young people, what they aspire to. The son of Nikolai Petrovich Arkady, who arrived from St. Petersburg, is at first under great influence his friend Bazarov and is somewhat harsh towards his father and uncle. But Nikolai Petrovich is trying not to aggravate the conflict, but on the contrary, to find a way to mutual understanding. And such a position gives its beneficial results. At the end of the novel, we see how Arkady, who got rid of the “illness” of nihilism and married Katya, gets along well with his father Nikolai Petrovich, his new wife Fenechka and younger brother under the roof of his father's house in Maryino. The son successfully continues his father's business of organizing a farm. So the baton from one generation naturally passes to another - this is the norm of life, consecrated by tradition and eternal, enduring values.
Instead of whipping his son, He flogged the fathers... A. I. Herzen I. S. Turgenev began work on the novel "Fathers and Sons" in August 1860. In July 1861 the novel was finished. It was created during the years of historical upsurge, during the preparation and implementation of the reform of serfdom. By the beginning of the 60s of the 19th century, a revolutionary situation had developed in Russia, which was resolved by the abolition of serfdom. A significant role in the social movement of this period begins to play the revolutionary democrats, who replaced the noble revolutionaries. It is this historical process most fully reflected in the novel. By their own political views during the period of work on the novel, Turgenev adjoined the liberal direction. The author of The Hunter's Notes sympathized with the liberation movement, but to certain limits: he was frightened by the possibility of a bloody peasant uprising. Therefore, the writer could not accept the revolutionary views of Chernyshevsky and Dobrolyubov. But Turgenev could not fail to reflect the most important social phenomena in his work. The title of the novel "Fathers and Sons" is symbolic. The division into "fathers" and "children" in the novel is carried out not by age, but by ideological grounds. "Fathers" are people with the views and principles of the generation of the liberal nobility of the 40s of the XIX century. "Children" is advanced people, revolutionary democrats from the camp of Belinsky, Chernyshevsky, Dobrolyubov. The novel shows the process of changing "fathers" by "children". But the author emphasizes that the struggle is not at all with bad people but with obsolete social phenomena. Turgenev shows the reader the best representatives Russian nobility. In the words of the author, “if cream is like that, then what is milk like?” Most prominent representatives camp "fathers" are brothers Kirsanov. Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, the elder brother, is depicted in the novel as a representative of the “white bone”, noble blood, as a representative of the best part of the Russian nobility. This is the story of his life. He was brought up in the page corps, quickly moved up the service, made a military career, but, in the words of Bazarov, “he put his whole life on the line female love, and when this card was killed for him, he became limp and sank to the point that he was not capable of anything. Most his life he lived abroad. He almost did not know his homeland and spoke Russian poorly. His portrait testifies that Pavel Petrovich is an aristocrat. Cufflinks, collars, cuffs - English taste and breed were felt in all this. And in relation to the peasantry, lordly arrogance and contempt are manifested. In terms of language and manners, he is so far from the people that "a Russian peasant does not consider him a compatriot" and half of his speech, interspersed with foreign words, does not understand. In turn, Pavel Petrovich sniffed cologne when he talked to the peasants. The uselessness and outdatedness of Pavel Petrovich's views are most fully revealed in his disputes with Bazarov. Kirsanov did not like this hero at first sight. In his presence, Kirsanov Sr. feels secret irritation, loss of composure, endurance, politeness. Pavel Petrovich approves of the existing system, he is horrified that Bazarov is aiming at autocracy. Kirsanov does not understand the situation that has developed in Russia, he is trying to defend the community and other patriarchal phenomena of Russian reality before Bazarov, not knowing that the community now does not even bring dues. He adheres to Slavophile views, but does not read anything Russian. Pavel Petrovich is opposed to Bazarov in everything. Turgenev emphasizes this by the fact that they even pronounce the same words differently (principles - principles). Nobody needs Pavel Petrovich in life and is not capable of anything. His brother's family is embarrassed, young people do not understand him, he does not recognize and does not learn new views on life. Turgenev, speaking about him at the end of the novel “... yes, he was a dead man,” tells the reader that Pavel Petrovich lives out his life alone, in Dresden, and “on his desk there is an ashtray in the form of a peasant’s bast shoes” as the only symbol of connection with homeland. The image of Pavel Petrovich ends the gallery " extra people". Their time has passed, they are being replaced by revolutionary democrats. The younger brother, Nikolai Petrovich, is outlined somewhat differently in the novel. Turgenev clearly sympathizes with this hero to a greater extent, since he reflects the views and moods of the liberal part of the nobility, to which the writer himself adjoined. Nikolai Petrovich is a man prone to daydreaming and sadness. This is a little surprising, since by the nature of his occupation, and by age, he should have been far from dreaming. Nikolai Petrovich loves poetry, plays the cello, admires nature, is fond of studying the works of German philosophers. But at the same time, Nikolai Petrovich strives to keep up with the times. He subscribes books from St. Petersburg, founded the farm on "free labor". He, unlike his older brother, accepts the new and yields to it. Nikolai Petrovich listens to Bazarov, follows his experiments, discusses his disputes with Pavel Petrovich. He is upset by the words of Bazarov about some books that he considered modern. In his conversations with Bazarov, the reader finds the titles of some modern philosophical works. Nikolai Petrovich treats the peasants well. He is somewhat more democratic than Pavel Petrovich. Everyone feels it, even Fenechka. But it is precisely in relation to the peasants that his important feature is revealed - spinelessness and gentleness. When it is necessary to punish someone, he does not know how to do this, as he is indecisive and kind. Even when doing a big and necessary thing (he is a world mediator), he “brings the peasants to languor” with his speeches. He turns his mediation into an empty and unnecessary talking shop. Therefore, we understand the words of Bazarov that Nikolai Petrovich is a retired man and his “song is sung”. Although the author's sympathies are on the side of this hero, and at the end of the novel "the farm is already generating significant income", we understand that this person still lives by outdated ideas and values. This is how Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev saw and portrayed the liberal nobles. And although he wrote that “Nikolai Petrovich is me,” he clearly gave the palm to Yevgeny Vasilyevich Bazarov, the first image of a revolutionary raznochinets in Russian literature.
The main conflict of the novel "Fathers and Sons" is a clash of two camps, two completely different philosophies of life. The camp of children is represented by the image of Bazarov. The author makes Pavel Kirsanov his obvious opponent, but the image of Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov, although belonging to the old generation, is opposed to both of the above heroes. Very delicate and delicate by nature, Nikolai Kirsanov treats with love everything beautiful that he sees in life. His habits, feelings, thoughts, all this is directed against the arrogance of his brother and the rude ideology of Bazarov.
Biography of Nikolai Kirsanov - a typical phenomenon of the past
Nikolai Kirsanov in the novel "Fathers and Sons" is a special character. His image embodied all the best from the aristocracy, and it is to him that the author shows his frank sympathy. It appears from the first lines of the work and does not disappear until the end of the whole story.
His appearance is unremarkable: a gray-haired gentleman, about forty years old, slightly hunched and puffy. Such a typical rural landowner of the middle hand. His biography is also typical for his time. A small Kirsanov family lived on the estate, his father was a military general, his mother was engaged in housekeeping. Like his older brother, Pavel, he dreamed of military career, but it didn't work out.
He studied at the University of St. Petersburg, then returned to his parents. After the death of his parents, he married beautiful girl who became a good wife. They lived in love and harmony, raising their only son. When Arkady was 10 years old, Kirsanov's wife died. He devoted himself entirely to his son and household.
The author endowed Kirsanov with many positive traits: He is well brought up and educated. Kindness and delicacy, sincere affection for those close to him are the most natural feelings. He does not understand how one can do without love, how to live without believing in anything.
Kirsanov Nikolai Petrovich, father of Kirsanov Arkady, loves music, poetry, appreciates everything beautiful in life. Bazarov laughs at these feelings. However, the author does not consider music lessons hero with something ridiculous and worthless. On the contrary, he talks about the usefulness of poetry and music. Everything is embodied in Nikolai Petrovich best features Russian nobility, which, sadly, are also becoming a thing of the past. They are replaced by Bazarov's nihilism, his judgments about the meaninglessness of principles and the empty life that the aristocracy leads.
Dreaminess and sentimentality are familiar feelings for Kirsanov. They characterize him positively, unlike Bazarov, who considers the dream to be nonsense and whim. For Kirsanov Sr., these features of his nature are components, this is a familiar state of mind.
The author considers Nikolai Kirsanov one of his favorite characters. By his side Eternal values life: family, love, nobility and kindness. Kirsanov's characteristic is a characteristic of a person who lives in harmony with himself. His personality is completely harmonious. This image evokes sympathy not only of the author, but also of the readers of the novel from its beginning to the end of the development of the action.
Artwork test
At the center of Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons", written on the eve of the reform of 1861, is the problem of the relationship between generations. It is considered both from the point of view of the socio-historical conflict of generations of "fathers"-liberals and "children"-nihilists, and the eternal conflict of fathers and children within the family. From the position of the first conflict, the image of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is considered, and the image of Nikolai Petrovich is included in the second. This determines the difference in their role and significance in the novel, as well as the difference in the characters and destinies of the two Kirsanov brothers.
At first it seems that there is a lot in common between them: they both belong to the stratum of the noble intelligentsia, are well educated, brought up in the best traditions of noble culture, both are thinking and sensitive people. Nikolai Petrovich is more poetic, passionate about music, while Pavel Petrovich is somewhat dry, strict in manners, and even in the countryside dresses like a "dandy of London." But in general, both of them represent, in the words of Turgenev, the "cream" of noble society. At the same time, each of the Kirsanov brothers experienced a lot: Pavel Petrovich had a romantic, all-consuming love for the mysterious Countess R., and Nikolai Petrovich cannot forget his beloved wife, mother of Arkady. By the time the novel began, each of them was destined to survive the loss of a beloved woman, and both of them had already crossed the forty-year milestone. True, Nikolai Petrovich is trying to create a new family with a young woman, Fenechka, and is anxiously awaiting how Arkady will perceive the birth of his younger brother. Pavel Petrovich has never been married, he keeps the memory of the countess, although he is also secretly in love with Fenechka.
The Kirsanov brothers are perceived by young heroes - Arkady and Bazarov - as representatives of the generation of fathers, almost old people who are living out their lives. At the same time, both brothers do not agree with such an assessment of their capabilities: they are still full of strength and ready to defend their positions. But in how they do it, the difference in their characters and capabilities affects. Pavel Petrovich, faced with the nihilist Bazarov, is ready to rush into battle and wages an uncompromising struggle for the "principles" so dear to him. Literally everything in Bazarov irritates him - the manner of dressing, speaking, behaving, but the merciless Bazarov denial of everything that is so dear to Kirsanov Sr. is especially hateful to him. This confrontation first turns into an ideological dispute, and then leads to a duel. But the fates of Pavel Petrovich and Bazarov are similar: both are doomed to a lonely, bobyl life, which ends with a break with everything that was dear to them. Bazarov dies, and Pavel Petrovich, who has become like a dead man, lives out his life in England, away from his family and friends.
Nikolai Petrovich, on the contrary, is much softer in his attitude towards the younger generation, he is even ready to agree with them in some way and tries to understand what excites the youth, what they aspire to. The son of Nikolai Petrovich Arkady, who arrived from St. Petersburg, is at first under the great influence of his friend Bazarov and is somewhat harsh towards his father and uncle. But Nikolai Petrovich is trying not to aggravate the conflict, but on the contrary, to find a way to mutual understanding. And such a position gives its beneficial results. At the end of the novel, we see how Arkady, who got rid of the "illness" of nihilism and married Katya, gets along well with his father Nikolai Petrovich, his new wife Fenechka and his younger brother under the roof of his father's house in Maryino. The son successfully continues his father's business of organizing a farm. So the baton from one generation naturally passes to another - this is the norm of life, consecrated by tradition and eternal, enduring values.
