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 day Arkady asks Katya to join him in her favorite spot in the portico. Katya had been hesitant, as Anna had warned her to avoid solitary talks with Arkady, and she is preoccupied as Arkady bashfully begins to speak. Arkady tells Katya that he owes to her the transformation he’s undergone since coming to Nikolskoye. He is no longer a “conceited boy,” he tells her; although he still wishes to live “a useful life,” he has begun to look for truth “closer to hand.” His eyes have been opened, thanks to “a certain emotion.” He stammers for a while, and Katya seems unsure where he is going.
Arkady awkwardly proposes to Katya. In doing so, he acknowledges that his former nihilism has given way to a fresh interpretation of what it means to live “usefully,” in pursuit of truth. His love for her has grown in tandem with his rejection of nihilism (and Bazarov), in other words. This scene contrasts with Bazarov’s and Anna’s rejection of that same “certain emotion” (love).
Themes
Suddenly, they hear Anna and Bazarov talking on the other side of the shrubbery. They are talking frankly about their feelings for one another. Anna says that they had simply made a mistake—their curiosity was roused, and then Bazarov’s interest “petered out.” Anna says that is not why they fell out with each other, but it doesn’t matter. She also admits that she has begun to take an interest in Arkady’s “fresh youthful sentiments.” Bazarov calls this a “fascination.” Soon their voices drift away, and they disappear from view.
By paralleling Arkady’s proposal to Katya with Anna’s and Bazarov’s discussion about their “mistaken” love, Turgenev shows the parting between two different ways of life—the younger couple toward a more traditional, yet life-giving path, and the older couple’s movement toward separation and loneliness. Though the older pair is ostensibly less naïve, the younger pair is genuinely happy.
Themes
Arkady turns back to Katya; her head is bent low. He tells her, “I love you for ever, irrevocably, and I love only you.” He assures her that “everything else has long ago melted into thin air.” Katya regards him gravely for a while and finally says, faintly, “Yes.” Arkady jumps up and presses her hands to his heart, finally believing that she shares his feelings. Katya weeps for joy.
Arkady and Katya both know that Arkady had feelings for Anna before; he reassures her that these feelings—bound up with his nihilist phase and similarly dispersed “into thin air”—are no more. The couple becomes formally engaged, with great joy.
Themes
The next morning, Bazarov can’t help feeling “a malicious pleasure” when Anna shows him Arkady’s letter requesting Katya’s hand. Anna laughs at her failure to notice what was unfolding between the two. She prevails upon Bazarov to stay a while, but Bazarov says that, like a flying-fish that spends too much time in the air, he must “flop back into my natural element.” Anna says she is sure they are not saying goodbye for the last time. “Anything can happen in this world,” Bazarov replies as he leaves.
Bazarov’s bitterness contrasts with the uninhibited joy of the previous scene between Arkady and Katya; as long as he refuses to admit the reality of love, there is only so much happiness Bazarov is able to find. Bazarov’s closing words to Anna foreshadow their final meeting, which isn’t as far distant as they assume.
Themes
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Arkady and Bazarov talk while Bazarov packs his trunk. Arkady tells Bazarov that he needn’t be a “humbug,” praising Arkady’s marriage while holding the institution in disdain. Bazarov says that Arkady wasn’t made for a “bitter, harsh, lonely existence”; he is of the gentry, “a good little liberal gentleman,” who will never venture beyond “well-bred indignation.” Arkady is tearful as he embraces “his former mentor and friend” and says goodbye, while Bazarov is matter-of-fact.
Arkady tells Bazarov to be honest with him—he shouldn’t congratulate Arkady while privately scorning marriage. But Bazarov argues that Arkady is suited for marriage and isn’t cut out for the nihilist way of life; he’s of the same liberal mold as his father and uncle. Even now, Arkady’s soft-heartedness comes through as the two men part.
Themes
By that evening, Arkady has indeed forgotten about Bazarov; he is “surrendering to [Katya’s] influence.” Even Anna is won over by their love for one another. She concludes from this that her feelings for Bazarov stemmed from mere curiosity, and this sets her mind at rest. She asks the young couple if love is indeed “an imaginary feeling.” But they don’t even understand what she means.
Now that he’s rejected Bazarov’s mentorship, Arkady quickly gives himself over to love, which has a far more natural, transforming influence on him than Bazarov’s nihilism ever did. Anna tries to reassure herself that what she felt for Bazarov wasn’t in the same category as what the young people are experiencing and that she hasn’t just passed up an opportunity for similar happiness.
Themes
