Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Fathers and Sons, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Tradition and Progress
Nature vs. Materialism
Love vs. Nihilism
Generational Conflict
Summary
Analysis
The next morning Arkady sees Vassily digging in his garden in his dressing-gown, having just come from doctoring some peasants. Arkady joins him for some tea in the fresh air. Vassily questions Arkady about his friendship with Bazarov, asking for Arkady’s honest opinion of his son. Arkady tells him that Bazarov is one of the most remarkable men he has ever met, and that he is sure Bazarov will have a great future. He tells the rapturous Vassily the story of how they met. Vassily tearfully admits that he “worships” his son.
Vassily transparently adores Bazarov and presses his guest for details about his son. The generational contrast is somewhat different in the Bazarov family; Vassily has dedicated himself to his son’s success and advancement, taking for granted that Bazarov will surpass him. By contrast, Arkady’s father Nikolai has envisioned Arkady following in his footsteps and is hurt when that doesn’t happen.
Themes
Later, at midday, Bazarov and Arkady are resting in the shade of a haystack. Arkady asks Bazarov, who’s still heartbroken and brooding over Anna, about his childhood. After some time, Bazarov muses that his parents lead such a happy life, while he cannot help thinking about the insignificance and futility of his life and feels nothing but “depression and rancor.” At the same time, he finds his parents’ way of life deadening. Arkady reflects that one’s life ought to be arranged so that every moment is important; but Bazarov finds the “petty troubles” of daily life unendurable.
Bazarov opens up to Arkady more than he’s done previously. He’s troubled by the contrast between his parents’ contentment and his own feelings of futility; even though he finds their traditional lifestyle trifling, his self-importance is deflated in the face of their happiness amidst “petty troubles.” Bazarov’s nihilist worldview can’t make sense of this conflict.
Themes
Bazarov keeps talking in a depressed tone, remarking that not only are principles empty, but everything comes down to feelings—which are the result of the way one’s brain is made. This even extends to such things as integrity. When he says this, Arkady sorrowfully says, “Oh, Yevgeny!” Bazarov says that when one goes down a philosophical path, one must go “the whole hog.” He and Arkady have a petty argument about Pushkin and then, “in the grip of […] hostility,” Bazarov accuses Arkady of following in his “idiot” uncle Pavel’s footsteps. When Arkady objects, Bazarov criticizes him for his “family feeling.” He tells Arkady they should “quarrel properly for once,” and Arkady is startled by the “sinister” look on his friend’s face.
Despite his troubled feelings, Bazarov continues to maintain that everything is reducible to brain chemistry. When he extends this view even to integrity, it’s a bridge too far for Arkady, who, although he still admires Bazarov, struggles more and more to adhere fully to his outlook. Their meaningless tiff over Pushkin confirms the growing divide between the two. Bazarov just interprets Arkady’s pushback as an unthinking family loyalty.
Themes
Just then Vassily comes upon them and cheerfully likens them to “Castor and Pollux in person.” Bazarov begs his father not to be sentimental. Vassily warns Bazarov that Father Alexei, the village priest, is going to dine with them, having just conducted a thanksgiving service celebrating Bazarov’s visit, at Arina’s request. (Vassily does not admit that he desired the service as much as his wife did.)
Castor and Pollux were twin half-brothers in Greek mythology. Given the argument the friends have just had, Vassily’s comment is ironic. He’s aware enough, however, to forewarn them about the parish priest, knowing that Bazarov’s radical principles put him at odds with his own traditional religion.
Themes
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At dinner, Father Alexei proves to be a “stout and imposing” and witty man. He refrains from openly blessing the two young men. He drinks wine and plays cards with them and even accepts a cigar from Arkady. Arina continues to gaze with devotion and awe at her son, and once Bazarov asks her to give him her hand “for luck.”
Father Alexei proves to be an agreeable guest who takes care not to offend the young men, suggesting that, in Turgenev’s view, traditional faith isn’t tone-deaf to societal changes. Bazarov appears to soften somewhat toward his mother.
Themes
The next day, Bazarov tells Arkady that he’s going to leave tomorrow; he’s bored, and his father is never far away. He will return to Arkady’s house, where he’s left all his scientific apparatus. Arkady observes that Bazarov’s parents will be very upset; they’ve been planning on a two-week visit at least. He also tells Bazarov that Bazarov doesn’t understand his mother; Arina is a very clever conversationalist. Bazarov dismisses these remarks, but nevertheless it takes him all day to tell his father they intend to leave the following day. Vassily is “thunderstruck.” Haltingly, he tells his son, “three days … after three years … it’s rather little; rather little, Yevgeny.” He hurries from the room and can’t bear to tell his wife the news.
Bazarov finds the atmosphere at his parents’ house unendurable for very long. For him, the worldview conflict is unsustainable. Arkady, characteristically, has warmed to the elder Bazarovs, and he argues with his friend again, accusing him of not appreciating his parents enough. The rift between the two is widening. For his part, even Bazarov isn’t immune to his parents’ feelings, as he finds it difficult to tell them he’s leaving.
Themes
The next day, the Bazarov house is “filled with depression.” Vassily makes a “brave show” while Arina weeps. Bazarov tears himself away after promising to return within a month. After the tarantass disappears from sight, the old couple console one another in their grief.
