Bazarov is a young man. Essay “Bazarov is a “new man”

"Gobsek" is impressive deep meaning and the moral background of the plot. This work is associated with Balzac’s novel “Père Goriot,” and some characters appear in other works French writer, for example, in the novel “The Human Comedy”.

History of creation

Working on literary work, Balzac carefully formed the description of the heroes, raised the problems that worried him and exposed the vices. Greed, vanity, and hypocrisy were always reproached by the author. Besides main idea story, Balzac was thinking about how to give the work artistic sophistication. He tried to maintain the persuasiveness of the characteristics, to make sure that the heroes collected in the ensemble of the work personified the author’s contemporary era.

Exact date the spelling is disputed by historians. After the writer’s death, three editions of the work were found, to which he made changes over the course of 18 years. The basis for the story was short story“The Moneylender”, written by Balzac to order for the magazine “Modnik”. It served as the basis for the first chapter of the work entitled “The Dangers of Dissipation.” In 1832 it was translated into Russian, and already in 1835 the public accepted the updated version of the story. The name was changed to “Papa Gobsek,” which readers associated with the name “Father Goriot.”

Balzac gave the story its current title in 1848, when, in a burst of inspiration, he returned to editing. He removed the soft address “dad”, deciding to introduce the reader to a rude and greedy moneylender with unusual biography.


In both versions of the story, Balzac denounced the victims of money and collateral, as well as those who had power over them in the form of bills. In Balzac's work, aristocrats and ordinary strata of the population are contrasted; those who are used to working without rest, and those who know how to spend gold, wasting their lives.

Art critics suggest that “Gobsek” is based on real events, which the author of the work witnessed. The story is called autobiographical, seeing parallels with Balzac's personal life. The writer discusses in his works the meaning of money, condemning its all-consuming power. The drama that masculine and female images, unpredictable collisions, a high degree of moralism captivate anyone who gets acquainted with the work of Balzac in general and the story “Gobsek” in particular.

Biography


All the characters in the story are described in detail by the author and have detailed characteristics. Gobsek's appearance says a lot about the character. The old man with a yellowish, rounded face and unpleasant features does not inspire sympathy. The hero's nationality is hidden. His past is shrouded in mystery, but it is clear that the life of a moneylender was rich and varied. Gobsek argues that difficulties and grief make a person strong, and they also increase sensitivity.

Analysis of the hero suggests that in his youth he was a pirate. His stinginess and selfishness helped him accumulate some wealth, which he used by lending money at high interest rates. For his inaccessibility and severity, the old man was called the “golden image.” Gobsek was in demand among his community. After dividing “service areas” between the city’s moneylenders, he began working with aristocrats and representatives of the cream of society. Moreover, in any situation, no matter how delicate it was, he remained adamant in his decisions.


Illustration for the book "Gobsek"

Gobsek is the personification of greed. The image combines romantic and realistic literary traditions. The character's appearance speaks of noble old age, sophistication, and worldly wisdom, and his actions make him a soulless money-making machine. The greater the moneylender's fortune became, the less humanity remained in him. The best professional in his field, he demonstrates high degree preparation for working with finances, foresight and insight.

A savvy moneylender deftly pulls off scams while remaining a diplomat. A businessman and an experienced businessman, the hero gives advice, invests money, benefiting society, but does not follow the lead of idleness. The character is attractive due to his honesty and philosophical view. All the arguments he voices are supported by experience from his past life.


Gobsek was a corsair cabin boy in his youth, he traded precious stones and slaves, was in the service of the state. He was driven by the instinct of self-preservation, which allowed the hero to survive in difficult situations that he encountered in his career.

The ending of the moneylender's life is amazing. His life was spent in hoarding, which brought neither pleasure nor benefit. Closer to death, the romantic nature took precedence over the rational grain, so Gobsek’s inheritance will go to his sister’s granddaughter.

Plot

The action begins with a conversation between Derville, Count Ernest de Resto and the Viscountess de Granlier in her salon. The daughter of a high-ranking person showed a clear affection for the count, for which she was reproached by her mother. Ernest, who did not have status and fortune, was an unfavorable match for her daughter. Hearing this dialogue, Derville cites as an example the story of Gobsek, which the reader perceives from his lips as from a storyteller.


The acquaintance of Derville and the moneylender has been going on for a long time. During this time, Gobsek gained confidence in the lawyer Derville and told a story about how he once collected a significant debt from a countess who had fallen into prison. difficult situation. The woman was forced to pawn the diamonds, and the money went to her lover through a promissory note. The moneylender's hint that he would ruin the countess's family was not heard, but soon came true.

Later, the favorite of society, Maxime de Tray, who needed the help of a moneylender, turned to Derville for help. Gobsek refused to provide services, knowing about the handsome man’s debts. The previously designated countess again began to come to Gobsek, pawning jewelry. She did this for the sake of de Tray, who vilely threatened to commit suicide. The Countess's husband found out about the deal and nobly hid his wife's affair. This man was the father of Ernest de Resto, who fell in love with the Viscountess's daughter.


The main characters of the story "Gobsek" (still from the film)

Some time later, the count fell mortally ill, and after his death the countess burned the will, thereby transferring the family property into the hands of Gobsek.

Derville was a mediator in the matter of returning the inheritance to Ernest de Resto, but the moneylender did not make concessions. The moneylender died in terrible conditions, becoming a hostage to his own stinginess and greed. The condition was returned to the rightful owner. The marriage of the Viscountess's daughter was organized not without the efforts of Derville.

Film adaptations


Works classical literature became the first material used for visualization in cinema. The directors did not ignore Balzac. The first film based on the story “Gobsek” was released in 1936. He took it off Soviet director Konstantin Eggert. The role of the main character was played by actor Leonid Leonidov. Alexander Shatov appeared in the image of Derville. It is curious that the director himself appears in the film as Count de Resto.


In 1987, director Alexander Orlov presented his own version of the story to the public. The film adaptation was prepared in the USSR, at the Moldova-Film studio. Gobsek was played by Vladimir Tatosov in the film. The role of Derville went to Sergei Bekhterev. The film became one of the first in the filmography to portray Countess de Resto in the frame. The young Count de Resto, played theater director, being at that time still a boy.

The image of Evgeny Bazarov occupies central place throughout the novel. Not surprisingly, out of 28 chapters, he does not appear in only two. That is why all relationships are built around this hero and characters are grouped.

Bazarov's characterization is a complex chain of sequential events connected with a new worldview. Evgeniy can be characterized from four sides:

1) Bazarov - “ new person» . The time described in the novel was a time of heterogeneous revolutionism, and Eugene was just a person who seems to deny everything - he is a nihilist, but at the same time presents himself as a democrat, that is, a supporter of a new trend in political thought. The outwardly unattractive hero surprises with his originality, intelligence and self-confidence. The characterization of Bazarov is also based on his materialistic views, similar to the views of many famous scientists (Mechnikov, Botkin, Pavlov).

2) Bazarov is a revolutionary. Bazarov’s characterization confirms his revolutionary views: the hero openly argues with the liberal aristocracy in the person of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, he is harsh in his beliefs and judgments, claims that society must first be corrected, and then there will be no diseases. Bazarov’s characterization may also indicate that Evgeny completely denies beauty and any aesthetic pleasure.

3) Bazarov - theorist. The novel “Fathers and Sons” (the characterization of Bazarov, the main character of the novel, is compiled exactly from the pages of the work) changed the minds of many people. The hero sought to build his life in accordance with nihilism - the theory of denial of feelings, experiences and “all rubbish.”

4) Bazarov - “ folk hero» . Bazarov's characterization shows that he knows how to deal with men, since he grew up in the village; he has a folk style of speech; he is distinguished by ease of communication.

The entire novel is built on the device of antithesis: the contrast of Yevgeny Bazarov with Arkady, with his uncle Pavel Petrovich, the contrast of democracy and aristocracy.

The hero’s confidence and determination every time force him to enter into an argument with everyone, but in his relationship with Anna Odintsova full characteristics Bazarova opens up from a completely different side: it turns out that this always brave and harsh young man, who denies beauty and feelings, is capable of deep and true love.

IN love conflict his best traits appear: the ability to take a blow rejected feelings, but Bazarov emerged from this “battle” with dignity and won a psychological victory over the selfishness of his beloved woman), the ability to deep emotional experiences, reassessment of one's values. It is to Anna that Bazarov dedicates his suicide note, in which he asks to take care of his parents.

Why does Turgenev kill his hero? This question is difficult to answer unambiguously. The main reason is considered to be loneliness. Bazarov's characterization emphasizes this: his rejection of everything led him to doomed death.

Twenty-seventh of December.

Composition.

Bazarov is a “new man”.

(based on the novel by I. S. Turgenev “Fathers and Sons”).

I. S. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” was created at a time when the question of the abolition of serfdom was raised, when there were contradictions between liberals and democrats. Just at this time - a time of political reforms and social upheavals, a new bourgeois-capitalist layer is emerging in Russia, and the ideology of nihilism is spreading among student youth. The novel reflected the struggle of two socio-political camps that had developed in Russia by the 60s of the 19th century. The writer showed a typical conflict of the era and set a series current problems, in particular, the question of the character and role of the “new man” - a figure during the revolutionary situation of the 60s.

Evgeniy became the spokesman for the ideas of revolutionary democracy Bazarov is a hero, which is contrasted in the novel with the liberal nobility. He is the main and only exponent of democratic ideology. Bazarov is a new person, a representative of those young leaders who “want to fight,” “nihilists.” He is for new life and remains true to his convictions to the end.

Turgenev wrote: “The main figure, Bazarov, was based on one personality of a young provincial doctor that struck me. In that wonderful person that barely born, still fermenting principle was embodied, which later received the name of nihilism. The impression this personality made on me was very strong and at the same time not entirely clear.” And in Turgenev’s new novel, the main character was a representative of those “new people”. Turgenev’s attitude towards the “new man” was, in his own words, not entirely clear: Bazarov was his “enemy”, to whom he felt an “involuntary attraction”. Explaining his work, Turgenev wrote: “My whole story is directed against the nobility as an advanced class.” "This is the triumph of democracy over aristocracy."

Bazarov is shown by Turgenev as a supporter of the most “complete and merciless denial.” Bazarov denies everything - and first of all autocracy, serfdom and religion. Everything that is generated by the ugly state of society. Turgenev said about Bazarov: “He is honest, truthful and a democrat to the last detail... if he is called a nihilist, then it should be read: revolutionary”

How Bazarov is depicted - the “new man”. A man of the people, the grandson of a sexton who plowed the land, the son of a poor district doctor, a student, Bazarov “possessed a special ability to arouse confidence in himself in lower people, although he never indulged them and treated them carelessly.”

Bazarov's democracy is clearly reflected in his speech, activities, character traits and worldview. Turgenev painted a memorable portrait of the commoner Bazarov: his face, “long and thin, with wide forehead,... big greenish eyes and drooping sand-colored sideburns... enlivened by a calm smile and expressing self-confidence and intelligence.” His gait is “firm and swiftly bold,” his long and thick dark-blond hair “did not hide the large bulges of his spacious skull.” He dresses simply and, unlike the aristocrat Pavel Petrovich, who “fiddled a lot with his toilet,” is pointedly careless about his “clothes.” He comes to the village to the Kirsanovs “in a long robe with tassels”; greeting Arkady’s father, he extends to him a “naked red hand,” which apparently has never seen gloves.

Bazarov speaks clearly and simply: “Evgeny Vasiliev,” he greets Arkady’s father; expresses his thoughts with stern and courageous directness, without any evasiveness, without forcing himself into feigned politeness. This is clearly evident from the assessments that he gives to the people of the hostile camp, the “feudal lords”: Pavel Petrovich is a dandy, an “archaic phenomenon”, an “idiot”; Nikolai Petrovich is a “good man”, but “his song is sung”; He says to Arkady: “You gentle soul, weakling..."; “...you haven’t even reached us yet...”

His interests are generally similar to the interests of the enlightened youth of that time: he is interested in natural sciences, reads the works of German “vulgar materialists” - keeps up with the times. Bazarov is a nihilist, that is, a person who does not take anything for granted and rejects authorities and principles. He denies Pushkin, and unfoundedly. In particular, the romantic worldview gets from him: “nonsense, rottenness, artistry,” “you study the anatomy of the eye: where does this ... mysterious look come from?” According to Bazarov, all human troubles occur due to the unjust structure of society, and he completely denied the role of personality and individual psychology, believing that one human specimen is enough to judge everyone.

Bazarov went through a harsh, difficult school of life, which strengthened him. Bazarov graduated from the university, but he did not take “an extra penny” from his parents for his education. Bazarov owes his knowledge, and he has very extensive knowledge, to himself. That is why he proudly declares: “Every person must educate himself, well, at least like me, for example...”

Bazarov does not pursue comfort or material wealth: “You and him... don’t stand on ceremony. He’s a wonderful guy, so simple...”, says Arkady about him.

Bazarov is the enemy of abstract science, divorced from life. He is for science that would be understandable to the people. Bazarov is a worker of science, he is tireless in his experiments, completely absorbed in his favorite profession. Labor, constant activity is his “element”. Arriving on vacation at the Kirsanov estate, he immediately gets to work: collecting herbariums, doing physical and chemical experiments. Bazarov treats those who live without doing anything with undisguised contempt.

The plot of the novel is based on Bazarov’s clash with the world of aristocrats. Turgenev immediately shows that Bazarov is a working man, he is alien to aristocratic etiquette and conventions. It is in the clash with various characters opposed to him that Bazarov’s remarkable traits are revealed: in disputes with Pavel Petrovich - maturity of mind, depth of judgment and irreconcilable hatred of lordship and slavery; in relationships with Arkady - the ability to attract young people to one’s side, to be a teacher, educator, honest and irreconcilable in friendship; in relation to Odintsova - the ability to deeply and truly love, integrity of nature, willpower and self-esteem.

Turgenev tests Bazarov first with love, then with death. He observes from the outside how his hero behaves in these situations. Love for Odintsova, an intelligent, proud, strong woman, a match for Bazarov himself, defeats the principles of nihilism (but he called love “garbage”, was contemptuous of romantic feelings, recognized only physiological love, but having fallen in love, he suddenly felt with fear the romance in yourself). In the dying scene, Bazarov is faithful to his ideals to the end, he is not broken, he proudly looks death in the eye - he came only to “clear a place for others.”

Bazarov's death is justified in its own way. Just as in love it was impossible to bring Bazarov to the “silence of bliss,” so in his intended business he had to remain at the level of not yet realized, nurtured and therefore limitless aspirations. Bazarov had to die in order to remain Bazarov. This is how Turgenev conveys the loneliness of his hero-forerunner. Bazarov's death is his end tragic life. Outwardly, this death seems accidental, but, in essence, it was logical conclusion image of Bazarov. It is prepared by the entire course of the narrative. The hero's fatigue, loneliness and melancholy could not have had any other outcome. Bazarov dies completely alone. And only “two already decrepit old men - a husband and wife” come to the “small rural cemetery.”

The author creates the tragic meaning of the image in Bazarov: his loneliness, rejection of the world around him, mental discord - all this is combined in one hero. This is a heavy burden that not everyone can carry with the self-esteem that is inherent in Bazarov. In the novel, Bazarov does not have a single like-minded person. Only the caricatured figures of Sitnikov and Kukshina, and even Arkady, who was carried away in his youth unusual ideas. Bazarov is lonely in his personal life. His old parents are almost afraid of him; in his relationship with Odintsova, he fails. Bazarov once told Arkady: “When I meet a person who would not give up in front of me, then I will change my opinion about myself.” And such a person was found - this is Odintsova.

How a real artist, creator, Turgenev managed to guess the mood of his time, the emergence of a new type, the type of democrat-commoner, who came to replace noble intelligentsia. With the help of skillfully selected details, Turgenev creates appearance one of the "new people". Bazarov is an independent nature, not bowing to any authority, but subjecting all thoughts to judgment. The revolution in Bazarov's soul occurs under the influence tragic love to Odintsova - he begins to realize the presence of a romantic in his soul, which was previously unthinkable for him. Bazarov is capable of spiritual evolution, which is demonstrated by his feelings for Odintsova, as well as the death scene. In Bazarov's scenes of declaration of love, emotions prevail over reason.

The greatest creation of the master of psychology I.S. Turgenev. He created his novel at a turning point, when advanced people societies were interested in the future of Russia, and writers were interested in the search for a hero of the time. Bazarov (the characterization of this character clearly demonstrates what the most developed youth of that time was like) is central character of the novel, all the threads of the narrative come down to it. He is the one bright representative new generation. Who is he?

General characteristics (appearance, occupation)

As a writer-psychologist, Turgenev thought through everything to the smallest detail. One of the ways to characterize a character is the hero's appearance. Bazarov has a high forehead, which is a sign of intelligence, and narrow lips, which speak of arrogance and arrogance. However, the hero’s clothing plays a big role. Firstly, it shows that Bazarov is a representative of the raznochintsy democrats (the younger generation opposed to the older generation of liberal aristocrats of the 40s). He is dressed in a long black robe with tassels. He is wearing loose trousers made of coarse fabric and a simple shirt - this is how Bazarov is dressed. The image turned out to be more than telling. He does not chase fashion trends; moreover, he despises the elegance of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, whose appearance is completely opposite. Simplicity in clothing is one of the principles of the nihilists, whose position the hero took, so he feels closer to the common people. As the novel shows, the hero really manages to get close to ordinary Russian people. Bazarov is loved by the peasants, and the children of the courtyards follow on his heels. By occupation, Bazarov (characteristics of the hero in terms of profession) is a doctor. And who else could he be? After all, all his judgments are based on German materialism, where a person is considered only as a system in which its own physical and physiological laws operate.

Bazarov's Nihilism

Bazarov, whose character is certainly one of the most striking in the literature of the 19th century, adhered to one of the most popular teachings of the time - nihilism, which means “nothing” in Latin. The hero does not recognize any authorities, does not bow to any life principles. The main thing for him is science and knowledge of the world through experience.

External conflict in the novel

As noted above, Turgenev’s novel is multifaceted; two levels of conflict can be distinguished in it: external and internal. At the external level, the conflict is represented by disputes between Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov and Evgeny Bazarov.

Disputes with Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov concern different sides human life. Bazarov is most irreconcilable in relation to art, primarily poetry. He sees in her only empty and useless romanticism. The second thing the characters dialogue about is nature. For people like Nikolai Petrovich and Pavel Petrovich, nature is God’s temple in which a person rests; they admire its beauty. Bazarov (the character’s quotes confirm this) is categorically against such glorification; he believes that nature “is a workshop, and man is a worker in it.” In a conflict with Pavel Petrovich, the hero often behaves rather rudely. He speaks unflatteringly about him in the presence of his nephew, Arkady Kirsanov. All this is shown by Bazarov not from the most the best side. It is for this portrayal of the hero that Turgenev will subsequently suffer. Bazarov, whose characterization in many critical articles affects not in favor of Turgenev, was undeservedly scolded by the author, some even believe that Turgenev is slandering the entire younger generation, undeservedly accusing them of all sins. However, one should not forget that older generation Nor is it at all praised in the text.

Relationships with parents

Bazarov's nihilism clearly manifests itself at all moments of his life. Parents who have not seen their son for a long time are waiting for him with rapture. But they are slightly embarrassed by their serious and educated child. The mother pours out her feelings, and the father sheepishly apologizes for such incontinence. Bazarov himself strives to leave as soon as possible parents' house, apparently because he is afraid to suddenly show warm feelings. According to German materialism, a person cannot have any spiritual attachments. On his second visit, Evgeniy also asks his parents not to disturb him, not to bother him with their care.

Internal conflict

The internal conflict in the novel is obvious. It lies in the fact that the hero begins to doubt his theory, he becomes dissuaded from it, but cannot come to terms with it. Bazarov’s first doubts about nihilism arise when he meets Sitnikov and Kukshina. These people call themselves nihilists, but they are too petty and insignificant.

Love line in the novel

The test of the hero by love is classic for the novel genre, and the novel “Fathers and Sons” is no exception. Bazarov, an inveterate nihilist who denies any romantic feelings, falls in love with the young widow Odintsova. She captivates him at first sight when he sees her at the ball. She differs from other women in her beauty, majesty, her gait is graceful, every movement is royally graceful. But her most important trait is intelligence and prudence. It is prudence that will prevent her from staying with Bazarov. At first, their relationship seems friendly, but the reader immediately understands that a spark of love flashed between them. However, none of them is able to step over their principles. Evgeny Bazarov's confession looks ridiculous, because at the moment of revelation his eyes are more full of anger than love. Bazarov is a complex and contradictory image. What makes him angry? Of course, his theory collapsed. Man is and has always been a being with a living heart, in which the most strong feelings. He, who denies love and romance, is conquered by a woman. Bazarov's ideas collapsed; they were refuted by life itself.

Friendship

Arkady Kirsanov is one of Bazarov's most devoted supporters. However, it is immediately noticeable how different they are. There is too much romanticism in Arcadia, as in his relatives. He wants to enjoy nature, he wants to start a family. Surprisingly, Bazarov, whose quotes addressed to Pavel Petrovich are harsh and unfriendly, does not despise him for this. He guides him on his path, realizing at the same time that Arkady will never be a true nihilist. At the moment of a quarrel, he insults Kirsanov, but his words are rather thoughtless than evil. Remarkable intelligence, strength of character, will, calmness and self-control - these are the qualities that Bazarov possesses. Arkady’s characterization looks weaker compared to him, because he’s not like that outstanding personality. But at the end of the novel, Arkady remains a happy family man, and Evgeny dies. Why?

The meaning of the novel's ending

Many critics reproached Turgenev for “killing” his hero. The ending of the novel is very symbolic. For heroes like Bazarov, the time has not come, and the author believes that it will never come at all. After all, humanity endures only because it has love, kindness, and respect for the traditions of its ancestors and culture. Bazarov is too categorical in his assessments, he does not take half measures, and his sayings sound blasphemous. He encroaches on the most valuable things - nature, faith and feelings. As a result, his theory crashes against the rocks of the natural order of life. He falls in love, cannot be happy only because of his beliefs, and in the end he dies altogether.

The epilogue of the novel emphasizes that Bazarov's ideas were unnatural. Parents come to their son's grave. He found peace in the midst of a beautiful and eternal nature. Turgenev depicts the cemetery landscape in a pointedly romantic manner, once again conveying the idea that Bazarov was wrong. The “workshop” (as Bazarov called it) continues to bloom, live and delight everyone with its beauty, but the hero is no more.

Evgeny Bazarov is one of the main characters in I. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons.” It is with the help of this image that the author actively reveals the problem of relationships different generations of people.

Appearance of Evgeny Bazarov

Evgeny Bazarov - the man " tall" His face was “long and thin, with a wide forehead, a flat upward, pointed nose downward, large greenish eyes and drooping sand-colored sideburns; it was enlivened by a calm smile and expressed self-confidence and intelligence.” His age borders on the 30-year mark - Bazarov is in the prime of his strength, both mental and physical.

He does not pay due attention to clothes and his appearance. His suit is old and shabby, he looks unkempt. Bazarov does not neglect personal hygiene, but he is also not as diligent about his toilet as, for example, Pavel Kirsanov.

Family of Evgeny Bazarov

Bazarov has a small family - it consists of a mother and father. Bazarov's father's name is Vasily Ivanovich. He is a retired staff captain. Father Bazarov often helps his fellow villagers and provides them with medical care. Vasily Ivanovich is a simple person by birth, but he is quite educated and diversified. His mother Arina Vlasyevna, a noblewoman by birth. She is the owner of a small estate in the province, “fifteen souls, I remember.” His father is in charge of the estate's affairs. Arina Vlasevna herself is very educated and knows a little French(which was the privilege of the nobles). Evgeny Bazarov only child in their family, so the parents’ attitude towards him is quite reverent. They often allow him to have a cool attitude towards them.

Origin and occupation

Evgeny Bazarov is a student. He followed in the footsteps of his father and in the future will connect his activities with medicine. “I, the future doctor, and the doctor’s son, and the deacon’s grandson,” is what he says about himself.

His father tried to give it to his son a good education and upbringing, encouraged his curiosity and love of research: “he knew how to figure it out early and spared nothing for his upbringing.” This significantly helped Bazarov become successful in his profession.

He is not of noble birth, but this does not prevent him from taking an advantageous position in society and acquiring good friends. His friends and acquaintances believe that Bazarov will be able to achieve significant results in the field of medicine and natural sciences.

Lifestyle and habits

Bazarov leads an active lifestyle. He wakes up early and goes to bed late most days. He spends most of his time conducting experiments on frogs - such research will make him more competent as a doctor: “Bazarov brought a microscope with him and spent hours fiddling with it.”

We invite you to read Ivan Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons”

Evgeniy does not shy away from society either. He willingly pays visits different people. He behaves there depending on the situation. In the company of aristocrats (unless it is a dinner in a narrow circle), he is generally reserved and rarely interferes in the conversation. In dealing with nobles of “lower rank” or with people related to him in social status Evgeniy behaves actively and often at ease. Sometimes his liberties are so provocative that they seem indecent.

Evgeniy loves to eat hearty and tasty food. Does not deprive himself of the pleasure of drinking wine, mainly in large quantities.

The essence of nihilism by Evgeny Bazarov

Bazarov's position in society is unusual and contradictory. He is an adherent of nihilism, a philosophical movement of the 60s of the 19th century, widespread in Russia. At its core, this movement contained an extremely negative attitude towards all manifestations of bourgeois-noble traditions and principles. Bazarov explains the essence of his philosophy as follows: “We act by virtue of what we recognize as useful,” said Bazarov. “At the present time, the most useful thing is denial - we deny.”

Personal qualities

The first thing that catches the reader’s eye is Eugene’s simplicity. About this distinctive feature we learn from the very first pages of the novel that his friend Arkady repeatedly draws his father’s attention to this fact during their trip to the family estate. “A simple man,” says Kirsanov the son. Nikolai Petrovich’s first impressions of the meeting with Bazarov were blurred by joyful experiences - after a long separation, he finally waited for his son, but still a certain precipitate towards Evgeny firmly settled in the mind of Kirsanov the father.

Bazarov has an extraordinary mind. This applies not only to the medical field, but also to other fields of activity. This state of affairs became the reason for the development of such negative quality like self-confidence. Evgeny is clearly aware of his mental superiority in relation to most of the people around him and cannot resist harsh comments and criticism. An accompanying quality to this extremely unattractive bouquet is also added pride. In Pavel Petrovich, such qualities seem incompatible with Bazarov’s type of activity. Uncle Arkady claims that a person with such a character cannot be a full-fledged district doctor.


Evgeniy thinks that he is “a positive, uninteresting person.” In fact, he is quite an attractive person. His views are non-standard, they are not much like the generally accepted ones. At first glance, it seems that he acts on the principle of opposition and opposition - Eugene contradicts virtually any thought, but if you look carefully, this is not just a whim. Bazarov can explain his position, give arguments and evidence indicating that he is right. He is quite a conflicted person - he is ready to start an argument with a person of any age and position in society, but meanwhile, he is ready to listen to his opponent, analyze his arguments, or pretend to make them. In this regard, Bazarov’s position lies in the following thesis: “Prove to me that you are right and I will believe you.”

Despite Evgeny’s readiness for discussion, he is very stubborn, it is difficult to convince him; throughout the novel, no one managed to completely change his attitude towards certain things: “When I meet a person who would not give up in front of me, then I will change my opinion about myself "

Folklore elements in the image of Bazarov

Evgeny Bazarov does not have the gift of eloquence. He does not like the refined manner of speaking of aristocrats. “I ask you one thing: don’t speak beautifully,” he says to his friend Kirsanov. In his manner of conversation, Evgeniy adheres to the principles common people- a little rude speech with many inclusions of folklore - proverbs and sayings.

Bazarov's proverbs and sayings reflect the position of the young doctor in society.

Many of them relate to the condition of the people and their ignorance. “The only good thing about a Russian person is that he has a very bad opinion of himself.” In this case, the situation is aggravated by the fact that Evgeniy has an ambivalent attitude towards ordinary people. On the one hand, he despises men for their lack of education and excessive religiosity. He does not miss the opportunity to ridicule this fact: “The people believe that when thunder roars, it is Elijah the prophet riding in a chariot across the sky. Well? Should I agree with him? On the other hand, in terms of his origin, Eugene is closer to ordinary people than to the aristocracy. He sincerely sympathizes with the men - their position in society is extremely difficult, many are on the brink of poverty.


Bazarov rejects the existence of man in harmony with nature. He believes that man has the right to dispose of all available resources of nature, and not to revere it: “Nature is not a temple, but a workshop, and man is a worker in it.”

He believes that sometimes the desire for education goes beyond all boundaries common sense and people fill their heads with information they don’t need at all: “In the suitcase there was empty place, and I put hay in it; It’s the same in our life’s suitcase: no matter what they fill it with, as long as there is no emptiness.”

Bazarov's attitude to love and romance

Being a cynic and a pragmatist, Bazarov completely rejects feelings of love and sympathy. “Love is rubbish, unforgivable nonsense,” he says. In his eyes, a man who allows love to take over his mind is not worthy of respect.

“A man who staked his entire life on a woman’s love and, when this card was killed, became limp and sank to the point that he was not capable of anything, such a person is not a man, not a male.”

This is primarily due to neglect Bazarov to women in general. In his opinion, women are very stupid creatures. “If a woman can hold a conversation for half an hour, that’s a good sign.” He is considering love affair with a woman only from a physiological standpoint; other manifestations are unfamiliar to him, which is why he rejects them.

In this regard, Bazarov admits contradictions. Despite statements about the uselessness of women for society, he prefers their company, especially if representatives of the opposite sex have an attractive appearance.

The love story of Bazarov and Odintsova

Evgeny Bazarov was very cynical about any manifestations of tenderness and love. He sincerely did not understand people who lose their heads from love - it seemed to him something indecent, and such behavior was unworthy of a self-respecting person. “Here you go! I was scared of the women!” - he thought.

At one point, Evgeniy meets Anna Sergeevna Odintsova, a young widower, and falls into the web of love ties. At the beginning, Evgeniy did not realize that he was in love. When he and Arkady Kirsanov visited Odintsova in her room, Bazarov felt an incomprehensible, unusual confusion for him.

Odintsova invites her friends to stay at her estate. Arkady, unlike Evgeny, does not hide his admiration for the girl, the trip will be in a good way improve relationships and gain the girl’s favor.

However, the opposite happens - a trip to Odintsova’s estate became disastrous for Kirsanov’s love, but gave hope for Bazarov.

At the beginning, Evgeniy tries to hide his feelings. He begins to behave too freely and cheekily. However, this does not last long - love experiences increasingly take possession of Bazarov: “His blood caught fire as soon as he remembered her; he could easily cope with his blood, but something else took possession of him, which he never allowed, which he always mocked, which outraged all his pride.”

The resulting feeling of shame and dissatisfaction gradually goes away - Bazarov decides to confess his feelings, but does not achieve reciprocity. He notices that Odintsova is also not breathing smoothly towards him, so her disregard for her feelings has a depressing effect on him. Evgeny does not know the exact reason for the refusal, and does not dare to find out about it from his beloved.

Thus, Evgeny Bazarov is a very controversial character in Turgenev’s novel. He is talented and smart, but his rudeness and cynicism cancel out all his advantages. Bazarov does not know how to find a compromise in communicating with people; he is outraged by the fact of disagreement with his point of view. He is ready to listen to his opponent, but in practice everything looks different - this is just a tactical move - for Bazarov everything is decided, he is not interested in other positions.

The image of Evgeny Bazarov in the novel “Fathers and Sons”: a description of personality, character and appearance in quotes

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