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
Bazarov, meanwhile, works feverishly in solitude. Nikolai drops by his study daily and engages him in scientific discussions, but perceives that Pavel continues to despise Bazarov. This is confirmed when Pavel falls briefly ill with cholera and refuses to ask Bazarov for help, arguing that Bazarov “has no faith in medicine.” Meanwhile, Bazarov begins to befriend Fenichka.
Bazarov buries himself in his scientific work. Nikolai continues to show his readiness to keep pace with current advances, but resentment continues to simmer between Pavel and Bazarov.
Themes
Fenichka feels at ease around Bazarov, who lacks an aristocratic air, and she goes to him for advice about Mitya. She finds him simply “an excellent doctor and an ordinary man.” Bazarov likes her, too, and she draws a kindliness out of him. However, Fenichka notices Pavel prowling sourly in the background whenever she talks with Bazarov in the garden.
The growing bond between Fenichka and Bazarov—which Fenichka clearly interprets as friendship and nothing more—will become the flashpoint between Bazarov and Pavel.
Themes
One day Bazarov comes upon Fenichka in the lilac arbor, gathering flowers for the breakfast table, and they start a lighthearted conversation. Fenichka doesn’t know how to thank Bazarov for the drops he’s prescribed to help Mitya sleep. Bazarov says she must thank him by giving him one of the roses she’s gathered, which she laughingly does, though she keeps thinking she hears Pavel in the garden. She feels uncomfortable around Pavel, with his meaningful glances.
Bazarov seems to have a more flirtatious intent in his interactions with Fenichka than she’s necessarily picking up on.
Themes
When Fenichka bends forward to smell one of the roses in her bouquet, Bazarov also bends down and kisses Fenichka’s parted lips. Fenichka feebly pushes against his chest, but Bazarov just kisses her more fervently. At that very moment, Pavel emerges from the bushes, tells Bazarov with “malicious melancholy,” “It is you, then!” and leaves the arbor. Fenichka, too, runs away, whispering, “How could you!” reproachfully as she goes.
Much as he did in Madame Odintsov’s sitting room, Bazarov expresses his affection in a much more forward and fervent way than is welcome. His rejection of the concept of romance seems to make him more inclined to offend in this area, not less, since there are fewer conventional guardrails.
Themes
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Bazarov feels shame as he remembers another such scene that took place recently. But he just congratulates himself on becoming a “gay Lothario” and retreats to his study.
For all his rejection of convention, Bazarov does feel he’s transgressed boundaries in some way—suggesting he’s not totally unmindful of convention—but he apparently represses his conscience. He accepts the fact that he’s someone who’s irresponsible and unscrupulous in his attitudes toward women.
Themes
