Can be considered eternal. However, it escalates to the greatest extent at turning points in socio-social development, when two generations turn into spokesmen for completely different eras. It was this period that was depicted in Turgenev's work. The conflict that is presented in the novel "Fathers and Sons" actually goes very far beyond family relationships.
Relationships that reveal the main conflict
Consideration of the problem of fathers and children in the image of Turgenev can begin with the following premise: this confrontation is rooted primarily in the difference in the worldviews of the old Russian nobility and the views of the leading representatives of the intelligentsia. The problem of confrontation between fathers and children is revealed by the writer in the relationship between Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov; Bazarov with his own parents, as well as through examples of different views within the Kirsanov family.
The description of the problem of fathers and children is given by the author through the image of the main character, who, by virtue of his worldview, is opposed to the external environment. The young nihilist Bazarov appears before the reader as a person fenced off from the whole outside world. He is gloomy, but at the same time he has developed an inner core, he cannot be called a weak person. Giving a description of his main character, Turgenev especially emphasizes his outstanding mental abilities.
What is Kirsanov
The problem of fathers and children in the image of Turgenev is reflected even in the appearance of the characters. As for the description of Kirsanov, here the writer mostly characterizes him through appearance. Pavel Petrovich appears as an attractive person. He prefers to wear starched white shirts. He is wearing patent leather ankle boots. Once in the past, he was famous as a socialite, but he managed to keep his habits even with his brother in the village.
Kirsanov is always distinguished by impeccability and elegance. He dresses in a dark English frock coat, wearing a low tie in the latest fashion. Already from the first acquaintance with this character, it becomes clear that his views are significantly different from the views of Bazarov. And the way of life that Kirsanov leads also differs from Bazarov's occupations. Pavel Petrovich, like many representatives of the then nobility, mostly spends his time doing nothing.
The problem of fathers and children in the novel by Ivan Turgenev: the qualities of Bazarov
Unlike Kirsanov, Bazarov is constantly busy with business. He seeks to benefit society, deals with specific problems. Despite the fact that Yevgeny is not related to Pavel Petrovich, it is on the example of their relationship that the problem of fathers and children is reflected in the image of Turgenev. Describing Bazarov, Turgenev seeks to reflect the qualities that were inherent in the youth of his era. This is determination, courage, perseverance, the ability to defend one's own views.
Turgenev was convinced that the future of the Motherland was behind such people. Every now and then the reader can trace the author's hints at the great activity that lies ahead for Yevgeny Bazarov. However, in such fanatical nihilism there are some disadvantages that Turgenev does not accept. For example, this is a complete denial of the emotional component of human life, the rejection of feelings.
Clash of two heroes
To demonstrate the fallacy of such a point of view, the writer confronts Bazarov with one of the representatives of the aristocracy - Kirsanov. The conflict that arises between these actors proves once again that the problem of fathers and children in the image of Turgenev is shown through a family connection, but only indirectly. For the most part, this is a matter of clashes between representatives of two opposing socio-political camps.
Kirsanov and Bazarov take opposite positions in this confrontation. And in the frequent disputes of these characters, almost all the main issues on which Democrats and liberals disagreed in their judgments at that time are touched upon. For example, these are such difficult topics as possible ways for the further development of society, materialism and idealism, art, different attitudes towards the people. At the same time, Kirsanov seeks to protect the old foundations. Bazarov, on the contrary, advocates their final destruction.
Confrontation between liberalism and democracy
Turgenev's work was written a year after serfdom was abolished in Russia. In this crisis situation, a clash was inevitable between the generation of "fathers", or liberals, and "children", or revolutionaries, who held democratic views.
It is during this historical period that a new type of public figure arises - a democrat who devotes all his strength to the cause of changing the existing political system. However, it is not limited to words. Behind his worldview are always concrete actions.
Just such is the main character of the work - Evgeny Bazarov. From the very beginning, he is opposed to the rest of the actors. His democratism is manifested in views, relationships with people and even love.
The problem of fathers and children in the novel by I. S. Turgenev: Bazarov's relationship with parents
The confrontation between generations can also be observed in Bazarov's relationship with his own parents. He is filled with completely conflicting feelings towards them. After all, Bazarov, on the one hand, admits that he loves his parents. But on the other hand, he cannot help but despise their “stupid life”. And from the parents of the protagonist, first of all, his own convictions are alienated. If Arkady can observe contempt for the previous generation, which is due to the desire to imitate his friend in everything, then Evgeny Bazarov has it coming from within.
Bazarov's parents: an example of true love that resolves conflict
The problem of fathers and children in Turgenev's novel is also relevant in our time, because disagreements can arise even between close and loving people. At the same time, one can see that parents value their son. The old people love him, and it is this love that makes it possible to soften those “sharp corners” that exist in their communication. Love turns out to be stronger than the difference in worldviews, and it lives even at the moment when Bazarov dies.
Russian classical literature has always sought to test the stability and strength of the social foundations of society. In the novel "Fathers and Sons" I. S. Turgenev vividly depicted the main conflict: the disputes between "fathers", representatives of the old, outgoing noble culture, and "children", carriers of new, democratic ideas. Starting the work with the image of a family conflict between father and son Kirsanov, the writer goes further, to social clashes. And the family theme in the novel only gives social contradictions a special humanistic coloring. These disputes between "fathers" and "children" affect a variety of issues: cultural heritage, art and science, moral principles, education, public duty, and many others. And the relationship of sons to fathers is not limited to kinship, but extends much further - to the relationship to the past and present of their fatherland, to those historical and moral values that they inherit. The tragic depth of this clash is especially emphasized by the violation of "family" in the ties between generations, between opposing social currents. And the contradictions between them go so far that they already touch the very natural foundations of being.
Describing the origins and development of this conflict, the author at that time clearly expresses his position, his attitude towards the fate of Russia, the Russian people, his understanding of the ways of the country's further development. Giving a general assessment of the political content of his novel, the writer said: “My whole story is directed against the nobility, as an advanced class. Look into the faces of Nikolai Petrovich, Pavel Petrovich, Arkady. Sweetness and lethargy or narrowness. An aesthetic feeling made me take precisely the good representatives of the nobility in order to prove my theme all the more correctly: if the cream is bad, what about the milk? .. They are the best of the nobles - and that is precisely why I have been chosen by me to prove their failure.
The nobles depicted in Turgenev's novel are indeed the best representatives of their class. The views they express are the result of their sincere convictions. And with all their liberalism, they are still the bearers of certain life values, they are characterized by aesthetic sensitivity, a culture of feelings. But they enter the turbulent era of the 60s completely unchanged, with a load of old romantic and idealistic ideas. So, Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is a typical aristocratic barin. It whimsically combines the noble imitation of the West and the Slavophile interpretation of the people, who "revere traditions," "cannot live without faith" and are distinguished by patriarchy. In his face, we see an aristocrat admiring himself, whose life has been reduced to general philosophical reasoning and regrets about the past. With disdain, he treats ordinary people, talking to them "grimaces and sniffs cologne"; a vicious protest evokes in him everything new, democratic. And it cannot be otherwise, because he is completely unadapted to the new conditions of life, which are a direct threat to his peaceful existence. The same uselessness and inability to live are manifested in the image of Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov, who finds solace in the romantic admiration of nature, which is a temple for him. Arkady Kirsanov, a representative of the young noble generation, is also critically outlined in the novel, quickly turning into an ordinary landowner, occupied exclusively with his family and household. The author notes the spiritual limitations and weakness of the hero, the superficiality of his democratic Hobbies, his obvious lordly manners and laziness.
Evgeny Bazarov is opposed in everything to the old world. He is proud of his simple origins and confidently strives to fight the remnants of the old time. “We want to fight,” he says to Arkady. Bazarov is sincerely passionate about the natural sciences, firmly believes in a person’s ability to withstand the adverse influence of circumstances: “As for time, why will I depend on it? Let it better depend on me.” These views of the hero are a vivid expression of the new, democratic understanding of life that is emerging in society. He is distinguished from all other heroes of the novel even by his appearance and manner of speaking. He was dressed in a long robe with tassels, wore long hair, which at that time was a demonstrative sign of freethinking. Bazarov speaks simply and clearly, he can use a saying or proverb to the point, and gives precise characteristics. It is easy to see the author's sincere sympathy for this representative of the new generation. Since it is people like him who are the spokesmen for advanced ideas in the new historical period.
Depicting the clash of "fathers" and "children", Turgenev showed "the triumph of democracy over the aristocracy." And, although the landowners-nobles Kirsanovs still remained masters in the country at that time, but the intellectual and moral superiority of the raznochint-democrat and materialist Bazarov, no doubt, meant the defeat of those foundations and principles on which the life of the "fathers" was based. The natural sciences and materialism turned out to be stronger than idealism and those thoughts and beliefs that could not withstand criticism, which Pavel Petrovich clung to so much.
- New!
The novel by I. S. Turgenev "Fathers and Sons" was written in 1861 - at a time when the age-old foundations of Russia were changing. One of the themes of the work is the eternal theme of love. In the novel, we see vivid love stories: the love story of Pavel Petrovich...
In the novel by I.S. Turgenev "Fathers and Sons" political, philosophical and moral problems are posed. The work touches on the so-called "eternal questions": the relationship between the older and younger generations ("fathers and children"), love and friendship, the choice of life...
Youth is the time to learn wisdom, old age is the time to apply it. J.-J. Rousseau Arkady Kirsanov, having spent a day at the Bazarovs' estate, asks his older teacher friend if he loves his parents, and receives a direct answer: "I love you, Arkady" ...
For more than half a century, Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev was at the center of the social and spiritual life of Russia and Western Europe, striving, in his own words, “during all this time ... to embody in the proper types and what Shakespeare calls the very image ...
The theme of fathers and children is eternal. It is especially aggravated during the turning points of social development. It was during this period that people from different generations represent residents of opposite historical eras. The problem of fathers and children in the image of Turgenev reflects the sixties of the 19th century. The reader can see not only the family drama, but also the social conflict between the aristocratic nobility and the developing intelligentsia.
Key Narrative Objects
The main participants in the process are the young and prominent representative of the nobility Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. The text describes Bazarov's relationship with his parents, as well as examples of communication in the Kirsanov family.
External description of the main characters of the work
The problem of fathers and children in the image of I. S. Turgenev can be seen even in the appearance of the characters. Evgeny Bazarov is presented to readers as an object not of this world. He is always gloomy, but has tremendous fortitude and an impressive energy reserve for new achievements. The author pays special attention to the description of the high mental abilities of the hero. Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is deprived of a vivid description of the mind, but he appears to the reader as a very well-groomed person, his entire description consists of admiration for external characteristics. He is always perfect, he can only be seen in a starched white shirt and patent leather ankle boots. Which is not surprising: his secular past does not allow himself to be forgotten. Despite living with his brother in a village society, he still always looks impeccable and elegant.
Personal qualities of a youth representative
Turgenev endowed Bazarov with such qualities as decisiveness in actions and a well-grounded personal opinion. Such people set goals for themselves and brought real benefit to society. Many representatives of that historical period possessed similar characteristics. The author assumed that it was from such people that the future of Russia would consist. But as an ardent admirer, he completely denied the inner world and spiritual emotionality. He did not allow the existence of the sensual side of life. On this issue, Turgenev categorically disagrees with his character. Many critics suggest that this is the reason why the main character was killed by the author.
Aristocratic elite
To show the errors in youth views, the problem of fathers and children in the image of Turgenev is reflected by the collision of a convinced nihilist with a member of the aristocracy. Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov was chosen by the author as a representative of the noble society. For the first time the reader sees this hero perfectly dressed in an English frock coat. From the first lines it is clear that this person is the absolute opposite of Evgeny Vasilyevich Bazarov on the issue of attitude to life values. The typical life of a wealthy aristocrat was reduced to constant idleness and holidays.
Fathers and children in the image of I. S. Turgenev
The clash between a representative of the aristocratic society and the developing intelligentsia is the main problem described in the work. The relationship between Bazarov and Kirsanov is proof of existence. Despite the fact that they are not related by kinship, however, two different socio-political camps do not find common ground. The problem of fathers and children in the depiction of Turgenev on the basis of real family unions takes place, but indirectly.
Opposite life positions
During the author often touches on topics of political controversy. Democrats and liberals do not reach a consensus on these issues. The main disputes arise on the basis of reflections on the further development of the country, on material values, experience, idealism, science, art history and attitude towards ordinary people. Kirsanov stubbornly defends old concepts, and Bazarov, in turn, seeks to destroy them. Kirsanov tried to reproach his opponent for this desire. But Bazarov always answered that it was necessary first to clear the place in order to build something new.
Bazarov's relationship with his parents
In the family of Evgeny Bazarov, there is a problem of fathers and children. Turgenev I. S. finds its reflection in the attitude of the hero to his parents. It is contradictory. Bazarov confesses his love for them, but at the same time despises their stupid and aimless lives. This is his unshakable position in life. But, despite his attitude, the son was very dear to his parents. The old men were very fond of him, softened tense conversations. Even after the death of the protagonist of the work, the very moment of their unconditional love is considered. Turgenev described a rural cemetery with a sad overgrown landscape, where the main character Bazarov is buried. Birds sing on his grave, old parents come to her.
Perhaps, if it were not for the ardent upholding of one's innocence and a softer attitude towards the opinions of other people, the duel and subsequent infection with typhus could have been avoided. Obviously, it was the injury that contributed to the spread of the disease. But a clash of views was inevitable. The problem of fathers and children in the image of Turgenev led to tragic consequences.
The ubiquity of the problem
In high school, students are asked to write an essay on literature. The problem of fathers and children is an insoluble dispute that has lasted for hundreds of years. Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" remains one of the best works of world classics. An unbiased description of life and relationships without embellishment makes it clear to the reader that youth is a perpetual motion machine. Behind them - strength and new achievements, inventions and improvement of life. But mature aristocrats also live their own lives, they cannot be condemned. They look at life differently, do not understand each other's views, but they are happy. Each in their own way. This is the meaning of life. Just be happy.
Russian classical literature has always sought to test the stability and strength of the social foundations of society. In the novel "Fathers and Sons" I. S. Turgenev vividly depicted the main conflict: the disputes between "fathers", representatives of the old, outgoing noble culture, and "children", carriers of new, democratic ideas. Starting the work with the image of a family conflict between father and son Kirsanov, the writer goes further, to social clashes. And the family theme in the novel only gives social contradictions a special humanistic coloring. These disputes between "fathers" and "children" affect a variety of issues: cultural heritage, art and science, moral principles, education, public duty, and many others. And the relationship of sons to fathers is not limited to kinship, but extends much further - to the relationship to the past and present of their fatherland, to those historical and moral values that they inherit. The tragic depth of this clash is especially emphasized by the violation of "family" in the ties between generations, between opposing social currents. And the contradictions between them go so far that they already touch the very natural foundations of being.
Describing the origins and development of this conflict, the author at that time clearly expresses his position, his attitude towards the fate of Russia, the Russian people, his understanding of the ways of the country's further development. Giving a general assessment of the political content of his novel, the writer said: “My whole story is directed against the nobility, as an advanced class. Look into the faces of Nikolai Petrovich, Pavel Petrovich, Arkady. Sweetness and lethargy or narrowness. An aesthetic feeling made me take precisely the good representatives of the nobility in order to prove my theme all the more correctly: if the cream is bad, what about the milk? .. They are the best of the nobles - and that is precisely why I have been chosen by me to prove their failure.
The nobles depicted in Turgenev's novel are indeed the best representatives of their class. The views they express are the result of their sincere convictions. And with all their liberalism, they are still the bearers of certain life values, they are characterized by aesthetic sensitivity, a culture of feelings. But they enter the turbulent era of the 60s completely unchanged, with a load of old romantic and idealistic ideas. So, Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is a typical aristocratic barin. It whimsically combines the noble imitation of the West and the Slavophile interpretation of the people, who "revere traditions," "cannot live without faith" and are distinguished by patriarchy. In his face, we see an aristocrat admiring himself, whose life has been reduced to general philosophical reasoning and regrets about the past. With disdain, he treats ordinary people, talking to them "grimaces and sniffs cologne"; a vicious protest evokes in him everything new, democratic. And it cannot be otherwise, because he is completely unadapted to the new conditions of life, which are a direct threat to his peaceful existence. The same uselessness and inability to live are manifested in the image of Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov, who finds solace in the romantic admiration of nature, which is a temple for him. Arkady Kirsanov, a representative of the young noble generation, is also critically outlined in the novel, quickly turning into an ordinary landowner, occupied exclusively with his family and household. The author notes the spiritual limitations and weakness of the hero, the superficiality of his democratic Hobbies, his obvious lordly manners and laziness.
Evgeny Bazarov is opposed in everything to the old world. He is proud of his simple origins and confidently strives to fight the remnants of the old time. “We want to fight,” he says to Arkady. Bazarov is sincerely passionate about the natural sciences, firmly believes in a person’s ability to withstand the adverse influence of circumstances: “As for time, why will I depend on it? Let it better depend on me.” These views of the hero are a vivid expression of the new, democratic understanding of life that is emerging in society. He is distinguished from all other heroes of the novel even by his appearance and manner of speaking. He was dressed in a long robe with tassels, wore long hair, which at that time was a demonstrative sign of freethinking. Bazarov speaks simply and clearly, he can use a saying or proverb to the point, and gives precise characteristics. It is easy to see the author's sincere sympathy for this representative of the new generation. Since it is people like him who are the spokesmen for advanced ideas in the new historical period.
Depicting the clash of "fathers" and "children", Turgenev showed "the triumph of democracy over the aristocracy." And, although the landowners-nobles Kirsanovs still remained masters in the country at that time, but the intellectual and moral superiority of the raznochint-democrat and materialist Bazarov, no doubt, meant the defeat of those foundations and principles on which the life of the "fathers" was based. The natural sciences and materialism turned out to be stronger than idealism and those thoughts and beliefs that could not withstand criticism, which Pavel Petrovich clung to so much.
Russian classical literature has always sought to test the stability and strength of the social foundations of society. In the novel "Fathers and Sons" I. S. Turgenev vividly depicted the main conflict: the disputes between "fathers", representatives of the old, outgoing noble culture, and "children", carriers of new, democratic ideas. Starting the work with the image of a family conflict between father and son Kirsanov, the writer goes further, to social clashes. And the family theme in the novel only gives social contradictions a special humanistic coloring. These disputes between "fathers" and "children" affect a variety of issues: cultural heritage, art and science, moral principles, education, public duty, and many others. And the relationship of sons to fathers is not limited to kinship, but extends much further - to the relationship to the past and present of their fatherland, to those historical and moral values that they inherit. The tragic depth of this clash is especially emphasized by the violation of "family" in the ties between generations, between opposing social currents. And the contradictions between them go so far that they already touch the very natural foundations of being. Describing the origins and development of this conflict, the author at that time clearly expresses his position, his attitude towards the fate of Russia, the Russian people, his understanding of the ways of the country's further development. Giving a general assessment of the political content of his novel, the writer said: “My whole story is directed against the nobility, as an advanced class. Look into the faces of Nikolai Petrovich, Pavel Petrovich, Arkady. Sweetness and lethargy or narrowness. An aesthetic feeling made me take precisely the good representatives of the nobility in order to prove my theme all the more correctly: if the cream is bad, what about the milk? .. They are the best of the nobles - and that is precisely why I have been chosen by me to prove their failure. The nobles depicted in Turgenev's novel are indeed the best representatives of their class. The views they express are the result of their sincere convictions. And with all their liberalism, they are still the bearers of certain life values, they are characterized by aesthetic sensitivity, a culture of feelings. But they enter the turbulent era of the 60s completely unchanged, with a load of old romantic and idealistic ideas. So, Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is a typical aristocratic barin. It whimsically combines the noble imitation of the West and the Slavophile interpretation of the people, who "revere traditions," "cannot live without faith" and are distinguished by patriarchy. In his face, we see an aristocrat admiring himself, whose life has been reduced to general philosophical reasoning and regrets about the past. With disdain, he treats ordinary people, talking to them "grimaces and sniffs cologne"; a vicious protest evokes in him everything new, democratic. And it cannot be otherwise, because he is completely unadapted to the new conditions of life, which are a direct threat to his peaceful existence. The same uselessness and inability to live are manifested in the image of Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov, who finds solace in the romantic admiration of nature, which is a temple for him. Arkady Kirsanov, a representative of the young noble generation, is also critically outlined in the novel, quickly turning into an ordinary landowner, occupied exclusively with his family and household. The author notes the spiritual limitations and weakness of the hero, the superficiality of his democratic Hobbies, his obvious lordly manners and laziness. Evgeny Bazarov is opposed in everything to the old world. He is proud of his simple origins and confidently strives to fight the remnants of the old time. “We want to fight,” he says to Arkady. Bazarov is sincerely passionate about the natural sciences, firmly believes in a person’s ability to withstand the adverse influence of circumstances: “As for time, why will I depend on it? Let it better depend on me.” These views of the hero are a vivid expression of the new, democratic understanding of life that is emerging in society. He is distinguished from all other heroes of the novel even by his appearance and manner of speaking. He was dressed in a long robe with tassels, wore long hair, which at that time was a demonstrative sign of freethinking. Bazarov speaks simply and clearly, he can use a saying or proverb to the point, and gives precise characteristics. It is easy to see the author's sincere sympathy for this representative of the new generation. Since it is people like him who are the spokesmen for advanced ideas in the new historical period. Depicting the clash of "fathers" and "children", Turgenev showed "the triumph of democracy over the aristocracy." And, although the landowners-nobles Kirsanovs still remained masters in the country at that time, but the intellectual and moral superiority of the raznochint-democrat and materialist Bazarov, no doubt, meant the defeat of those foundations and principles on which the life of the "fathers" was based. The natural sciences and materialism turned out to be stronger than idealism and those thoughts and beliefs that could not withstand criticism, which Pavel Petrovich clung to so much.
