Genre originality of fathers and sons of Turgenev. Genre and compositional features of the novel "Fathers and Sons"


Creativity of I.S. Turgenev made a huge contribution to the development of Russian literature. Many of his works are well known to readers different ages. But the most popular was and remains Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons,” which became the answer to many of the writer’s contemporary questions. The history of the creation of the novel “Fathers and Sons” began in 1860, with the idea that visited Ivan Sergeevich.

First stage

Thoughts about creating a new work describing the surrounding reality arose in Turgenev when he was in England on the Isle of Wight. Then he conceives a major story, the hero of which should be a young doctor. The prototype of Bazarov was accidentally met by Turgenev while traveling around railway young doctor. In him he saw the beginnings of nihilism, which was just emerging at that time. This amazed Ivan Sergeevich. He was simply fascinated by the views of this young man.

Beginning of work

Turgenev began work directly in 1860. He leaves with his daughter for Paris, settles there and plans to finish work with a new work in a short time. During the first year of working on Fathers and Sons, the writer completes the first half of the novel. He feels great satisfaction from his work. He is madly attracted to the image of Yevgeny Bazarov. But over time, he feels that he can no longer work in Paris. The writer returns to his homeland.

Completion of the novel

Returning to Russia gives Turgenev the opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of modern social movements. This helps him complete the novel. Shortly before the end of work on “Fathers and Sons” in Russia, significant event- abolition of serfdom. Latest chapters the works were completed by Ivan Sergeevich in his native village of Spassky.

First publications and disputes

For the first time, “Fathers and Sons” appeared to the world on the pages of the popular literary publication"Russian Messenger". As Turgenev feared, the controversial image of Bazarov caused a strong reaction in literary circles. Its discussion gave rise to a lot of controversy in the press. Many excellent critics have devoted their articles to analyzing ideological content novel and the characteristics of the main character. The appearance of a new image, denying everything familiar and beautiful, became a kind of hymn to the young nihilistic movement.

Latest edition of the novel

After the novel appeared in the Russian Messenger, Turgenev was engaged in a slight reworking of the text of the work. It smooths out some especially sharp features character of the main character, and makes the image of Bazarov more attractive than in the original version. In the fall of 1862, an edited version of the novel was published. On the title page there is a dedication to Vissarion Grigorievich Belinsky. Turgenev and Belinsky were very close friends, and thanks to the influence of Vissarion Grigorievich, some public views Ivan Sergeevich.

Roman I.S. Turgenev’s “Fathers and Sons” became a unique work, reflecting the eternal confrontation between two generations not only within a single family, but also at the level of socio-political life of an entire country.

The problem of relationships between fathers and children is eternal. The reason lies in differences life views . Each generation has its own truth, and it is extremely difficult to understand each other, and sometimes there is no desire. Contrasting worldviews- this is the basis of the work Fathers and Sons, summary, which we will consider.

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Creation

The idea of ​​​​creating the work “Fathers and Sons” arose from the writer Ivan Turgenev in August 1860. The author writes to Countess Lambert about his intention to write a new big story. In the fall he goes to Paris, and in September he writes to Annenkov about the final drawing up a plan and serious intentions in creating a novel. But Turgenev works rather slowly and doubts a good result. However, having received an approving opinion from literary critic Botkin, plans to complete the creation in the spring.

Early winter - period of active work writer, within three weeks the third part of the work was written. Turgenev asked to describe in detail in his letters how things were in the life of Russia. This happened before, and in order to be privy to the events of the country, Ivan Sergeevich decides to return.

Attention! The history of writing ended on July 20, 1861, when the author was in Spassky. In the fall, Turgenev again goes to France. There, during a meeting, he shows his creation to Botkin and Sluchevsky and receives many comments that push him to make changes to the text.

in spring next year the novel is published in magazine "Russian Herald" and he immediately became the object of polemical discussion. The controversy did not subside even after the death of Turgenev.

Genre and number of chapters

If we characterize the genre of the work, then “Fathers and Sons” is 28 chapter novel, showing the socio-political situation in the country before the abolition of serfdom.

main idea

About what we're talking about? In his creation “fathers and sons” Turgenev describes contradiction and misunderstanding different generations , and also wants to find a way out of the current situation, ways to get rid of the problem.

The struggle between the two camps is a confrontation between everything that is established and what is radically new, era of democrats and aristocrats, or helplessness and determination.

Turgenev is trying to show what has come time for a change and instead of people of the outdated system, nobles, active, energetic and young people come. The old system has become obsolete, and the new one has not yet been formed. The novel “Fathers and Sons” shows us the turn of an era when society is in turmoil and is unable to live either according to the old canons or the new ones.

The new generation in the novel is represented by Bazarov, around whom the confrontation between “fathers and sons” takes place. He is a representative of a whole galaxy younger generation, for whom complete denial of everything has become the norm. Everything old is unacceptable to them, but they can't bring anything new.

The conflict of worldviews is clearly shown between him and the elder Kirsanov: the rude and straightforward Bazarov and the mannered and refined Kirsanov. The images described by Turgenev are multifaceted and ambiguous. Bazarov's attitude towards the world does not bring happiness at all. They outlined their purpose to society - fight against old ways, but the introduction of new ideas and views in their place does not bother him.

Turgenev did this for a reason, thereby showing that before the collapse of something established, it is necessary to find a worthy replacement for it. If there is no alternative, then even what was intended to be a positive solution to the problem will only make it worse.

Conflict of generations in the novel “Fathers and Sons.”

Heroes of the novel

The main characters of “Fathers and Sons” are:

  • Bazarov Evgeny Vasilievich. Young student learning to become a doctor. Adheres to the ideology of nihilism, questions the liberal views of the Kirsanovs and the traditional views of his own parents. At the end of the work, he falls in love with Anna, and his views of denying everything in the world are changed by love. He will become a village doctor, and due to his own carelessness he will become infected with typhus and die.
  • Kirsanov Nikolai Petrovich. Is the father of Arkady, widower. Landowner. He lives on the estate with Fenechka, a commoner woman, whom he feels and is ashamed of, but then takes her as his wife.
  • Kirsanov Pavel Petrovich. He is Nikolai's older brother. He retired officer, a representative of a privileged layer, is proud and self-confident, shares the ideas of liberalism. Often participates in disputes with Bazarov at the most different topics: art, science, love, nature and more. Hatred towards Bazarov develops into a duel, which he himself initiated. During the duel he is wounded, fortunately the wound turns out to be minor.
  • Kirsanov Arkady Nikolaevich. Is the son of Nicholas. Candidate of Sciences at the University. Like his friend Bazarov, he is a nihilist. At the end of the book he will abandon his worldview.
  • Bazarov Vasily Ivanovich. Is the father of the main character, was a surgeon in the army. He did not leave his medical practice. Lives on his wife's estate. An educated person understands that living in a village, he was cut off from modern ideas. Conservative, religious.
  • Bazarova Arina Vlasevna. She is the main character's mother. She owns the Bazarov estate and fifteen serfs. Superstitious, pious, suspicious, sensitive woman. He loves his son infinitely, and is worried that he has renounced his faith. She herself is a follower of the Orthodox faith.
  • Odintsova Anna Sergeevna. Is a widow, rich. On his estate he welcomes friends who hold nihilistic views. She likes Bazarov, but after his declaration of love, there is no reciprocity. He puts a calm life in the foreground, in which there are no worries.
  • Katerina. Anna Sergeevna's sister, but unlike her, she is quiet and unnoticeable. He plays the clavichord. Arkady Kirsanov spends a lot of time with her, while he is passionately in love with Anna. Then he realizes that he loves Katerina and marries her.

Other heroes:

  • Fenechka. Housekeeper's Daughter younger brother Kirsanova. After his mother died, she became his mistress and gave birth to his son.
  • Sitnikov Victor. He is a nihilist and acquaintance of Bazarov.
  • Kukshina Evdokia. Victor's friend, a nihilist.
  • Kolyazin Matvey Ilyich. He is a city official.

The main characters of the novel "Fathers and Sons".

Plot

Fathers and sons are summarized below. 1859 – year when the novel begins.

The young people arrived in Maryino and live in the house of brothers Nikolai and Pavel Kirsanov. Senior Kirsanov and Bazarov are not found common language, and frequent conflict situations force Evgeniy to leave for another city N. Arkady also goes there. There they communicate with urban youth (Sitnikova and Kukshina), who adhere to nihilistic views.

At the governor's ball they hold meeting Odintsova, and then go to her estate, Kukshina is destined to stay in the city. Odintsova rejects the declaration of love, and Bazarov has to leave Nikolskoye. He and Arkady go to their parents' house and stay there. Evgeny does not like the excessive care of his parents, he decides to leave Vasily Ivanovich and Arina Vlasevna, and

Genre and compositional features novel "Fathers and Sons"

“Fathers and Sons” by Turgenev is a socio-psychological novel in which the main place is given to social conflicts. The work is built on the opposition of the main character, the commoner Bazarov, and the rest of the characters.

In the clashes between Bazarov and other characters, the main character traits of the hero and his views are revealed. Bazarov's main antagonist is Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. A conflict between them begins immediately after Bazarov arrives at the Kirsanovs’ house. Already portrait characteristic indicates that this is completely different people. When describing the appearance of Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich, the author uses a detailed portrait, designed mainly for the viewer's impression. Appearance Bazarov and his demeanor reveal a true democrat in him. Before us is a man “ tall in a long robe with tassels,” his face is “long and thin, with wide forehead, flat at the top, pointed nose at the bottom, large greenish eyes and drooping sand-colored sideburns... enlivened by a calm smile and expressing self-confidence and intelligence.” Bazarov does not take into account the conditions accepted in noble families, he behaves simply, relaxedly and in a way that is more convenient for him.

speaks of his aristocracy: “The whole appearance of Arkadyev’s uncle, elegant and thoroughbred, retained youthful stamina and that desire upward, away from the earth, which for the most part disappears after twenty years.” Characterizing the manners of Pavel Petrovich, the author reveals his views. So, during a meeting with Arkady, Pavel Petrovich, “having performed a preliminary European “shake hands” ... kissed him three times in Russian.” IN in this case the author emphasizes Pavel Petrovich's Anglicanism and at the same time his commitment to noble views.

To characterize his heroes, Turgenev uses different kinds portrait. Thus, to reveal the images of Kukshina and Sitnikov, the author resorts to the technique of a satirical portrait. “An alarming and dull expression,” Turgenev writes about Sitnikov, “was reflected in the small, however pleasant, features of his sleek face; his small, sunken eyes looked intently and restlessly, and he laughed restlessly: with a kind of short, wooden laugh.”

One of the most important conflicts of the novel develops in Chapter X. The author called the dialogue contained in this chapter a “fight” between Pavel Petrovich and Bazarov. During the dialogue, Bazarov behaves confidently and calmly, while Pavel Petrovich behaves like a hot-tempered person who cannot restrain his emotions. The culmination of the relationship between Pavel Petrovich and Bazarov occurs in Chapter XXIV, during a duel, from which Bazarov emerges victorious. The author himself wrote that “the duel with Pavel Petrovich was precisely introduced to clearly demonstrate the emptiness of elegant noble chivalry, presented in an almost exaggerated comic manner.” Despite the fact that the main place in the work is occupied by social conflicts, there is also a love affair, but, compressed by political disputes, it fits into five chapters. Tightness love affair collisions were also reflected in the placement of its individual parts, contributed to the convergence of the beginning with the climax, and the climax with the denouement. The culmination of the love affair is shown in Chapter XIII. Here there is an explanation between Bazarov and Odintsova, after which the author separates them until the end of the novel. However, despite the compactness of the love affair, she will play important role to characterize the hero. The very fact that Turgenev forced his hero to fail in love is the writer’s intention to debunk Bazarov. The hero begins to express pessimistic thoughts, loses self-confidence, even his habits and manners change: “... the fever of work left him and was replaced by dreary boredom and dull anxiety. A strange fatigue was noticeable in all his movements; even his gait, firm and swiftly bold, changed.” The author, as it were, leads the hero along a descending line, gradually depriving him of self-confidence and the necessity of his activities. The hero seems to be fading away, his convictions are melting. In the scene of Bazarov's death, the image of a dying lamp appears, which acts as an allegory of the hero's fate. In the epilogue of the novel, the author places a landscape that, according to Herzen, resembles a requiem. Here Turgenev sums up the final outcome of Bazarov's life, showing how his personality dissolves against the background eternal nature: “No matter what passionate, sinful, rebellious heart is hidden in the grave, the flowers growing on it serenely look at us with their innocent eyes; Not only do they tell us about eternal peace, about that great peace of “indifferent” nature, they also talk about eternal reconciliation and endless life...” Thus, the landscape in the novel is important means reflections author's position. With the help of the landscape, Turgenev also expresses his attitude to Bazarov’s statement that nature is not a temple, but a workshop, contrasting him with a poetic picture of a summer evening. It should be noted that in the novel “Fathers and Sons” there is much less descriptions nature and lyrical digressions than in other works of Turgenev. This is explained by the very genre of the socio-psychological novel, in which main role play political disputes that are revealed through dialogue. It was with the help of dialogue that the author was able to reflect the ideological struggle, illuminate actual problems of his time since different points vision. Dialogue is also an important means of characterizing the main character. In dialogues with Pavel Petrovich, Arkady, Odintsova, the hero’s views and character are revealed.

The author also uses speech characteristics. In conversation, Bazarov is always brief, but his remarks are full deep meaning, they testify to the hero’s erudition and wit. Bazarov often uses proverbs and sayings, for example: “He burned himself on his own milk, he blows on someone else’s water,” “The Russian peasant will eat God.” Bazarov's speech, like his portrait, testifies to the hero's democracy. Speech characteristics are no less important for revealing the image of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. In Pavel Petrovich's speech there are many specific words and expressions characteristic of the estate-landlord vocabulary of the 19th century. The author himself explains the peculiarities of his speech: “This quirk reflected the remainder of the legends of Alexander’s time. The then aces, in in rare cases when they spoke native language, some used - efto, others - ehto: we, my, are native Russians, and at the same time we are nobles who are allowed to neglect the school rules...” Speech characteristics Pavel Petrovich says that this is a man of the “old century”.

So everything artistic media the novel is subordinated to him genre originality, aimed at revealing its ideological content.

Bibliography

To prepare this work, materials from the site http://*****/ were used

The novel became iconic for its time, and the image of the main character Evgeniy Bazarov was perceived by young people as an example to follow. Ideals such as uncompromisingness, lack of admiration for authorities and old truths, the priority of the useful over the beautiful were perceived by the people of that time and were reflected in Bazarov’s worldview.

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    The action in the novel takes place in the summer of 1859, that is, on the eve of the peasant reform of 1861.

    Evgeny Bazarov and Arkady Kirsanov come to Maryino and spend some time staying with the Kirsanovs (father Nikolai Petrovich and uncle Pavel Petrovich). Tensions with the elder Kirsanovs force Bazarov to leave Maryino and go to provincial town***. Arkady goes with him. Bazarov and Arkady spend time in the company of local “progressive” youth - Kukshina and Sitnikov. Then, at the governor’s ball, they meet Odintsova. Bazarov and Arkady go to Nikolskoye, Odintsova’s estate, and Mrs. Kukshina, wounded by them, remains in the city. Bazarov and Arkady, infatuated with Odintsova, spend some time in Nikolskoye. After an unsuccessful declaration of love, Bazarov, who frightened Odintsova, is forced to leave. He goes to his parents (Vasily and Arina Bazarov), and Arkady goes with him. Bazarov and Arkady are visiting his parents. Tired of manifestations parental love, Bazarov leaves his discouraged father and mother, and together with Arkady goes back to Maryino. On the way, they accidentally stop at Nikolskoye, but, having met a cold reception, they return to Maryino. Bazarov lives for some time in Maryino. A surge of passion spills out into a kiss with Fenechka, the mother of Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov’s illegitimate son, and because of her he fights in a duel with Pavel Petrovich. Arkady, having returned to Maryino, leaves alone for Nikolskoye and stays with Odintsova, becoming more and more carried away by her sister Katya. Having completely ruined relations with the older Kirsanovs, Bazarov also goes to Nikolskoye. Bazarov apologizes to Odintsova for his feelings. Odintsova accepts the apology, and Bazarov spends several days in Nikolskoye. Arkady declares his love to Katya. Having said goodbye to Arkady forever, Bazarov returns to his parents. Living with his parents, Bazarov helps his father treat the sick and dies from blood poisoning, accidentally cutting himself during an autopsy of a man who died of typhus. Before death last time sees Odintsova, who comes to him at his request. Arkady Kirsanov marries Katya, and Nikolai Petrovich marries Fenechka. Pavel Petrovich is leaving abroad forever.

    Main characters

    • Evgeny Vasilievich Bazarov- nihilist, student, studying to become a doctor. In nihilism, he is Arkady's mentor, protests against the liberal ideas of the Kirsanov brothers and the conservative views of his parents. Revolutionary-democrat, commoner. By the end of the novel, he falls in love with Odintsova, changing his nihilistic views on love. Love turned out to be a test for Bazarov, he understands that there is an obvious romantic in him - he even declares his love to Odintsova. At the end of the book he works as a village doctor. Opening up a man who died of typhus, he himself becomes infected through carelessness. After death, a religious ceremony is performed over him.
    • Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov- landowner, liberal, father of Arkady, widower. Loves music and poetry. Interested in progressive ideas, including in agriculture. At the beginning of the novel, he is ashamed of his love for Fenechka, a woman from common people, but then marries her.
    • Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov- Nikolai Petrovich’s older brother, a retired officer, an aristocrat, proud, self-confident, an ardent supporter of liberalism. He often argues with Bazarov about love, nature, aristocracy, art, and science. Lonely. In my youth I experienced tragic love. He sees in Fenechka Princess R., with whom he was in love. He hates Bazarov and challenges him to a duel, in which he is slightly wounded in the thigh.
    • Arkady Nikolaevich Kirsanov- son of Nikolai Petrovich’s first wife, Maria. Recent candidate of science at St. Petersburg University and friend of Bazarov. He becomes a nihilist under the influence of Bazarov, but then abandons these ideas.
    • Vasily Ivanovich Bazarov- Bazarov’s father, a retired army surgeon. Not rich. Manages his wife's estate. Moderately educated and enlightened, he feels that rural life left him isolated from modern ideas. He adheres to generally conservative views, is religious, and loves his son immensely.
    • Arina Vlasevna- Bazarov's mother. It is she who owns the village of the Bazarovs and 15 souls of serfs. Devout follower of Orthodoxy. Very superstitious. She is suspicious and sentimentally sensitive. She loves her son and is deeply concerned about his renunciation of faith.
    • Anna Sergeevna Odintsova- a rich widow who welcomes nihilistic friends to her estate. He sympathizes with Bazarov, but after his confession he does not reciprocate. Considers a calm life without worries to be more important than anything, including more important than love.
    • Katerina (Ekaterina Sergeevna Lokteva) - Anna Sergeevna Odintsova’s sister, a quiet girl, invisible in her sister’s shadow, plays the clavichord. Arkady spends a lot of time with her, languishing in love with Anna. But later he realizes his love for Katya. At the end of the novel, Catherine marries Arkady.

    Other heroes

    • Victor Sitnikov- an acquaintance of Bazarov and Arkady, an adherent of nihilism. He belongs to that category of “progressives” who reject any authority, chasing the fashion for “free thinking.” He doesn’t really know anything and doesn’t know how to do anything, but in his “nihilism” he leaves both Arkady and Bazarov far behind him. Bazarov openly despises Sitnikov.
    • Evdoksiya Kukshina- an acquaintance of Sitnikov, who, like him, is a pseudo-adherent of nihilism.
    • Fenechka(Fedosya Nikolaevna) - daughter of Nikolai Petrovich’s housekeeper, Arina Savishna. After the death of her mother, she became the master's mistress and the mother of his child. It becomes the reason for a duel between Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, since Bazarov, finding Fenechka alone, kisses her deeply, and Pavel Petrovich becomes an accidental witness to the kiss, who is deeply outraged by the act of “this hairy guy”, he is especially indignant also because and he himself is not completely indifferent to his brother’s beloved. In the end, Fenechka became the wife of Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov.
    • Dunyasha- maid under Fenechka.
    • Peter- servant of the Kirsanovs.
    • Princess R. (Nelly)- beloved of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov.
    • Matvey Ilyich Kolyazin- an official in the City ***.
    • Sergei Nikolaevich Loktev- father of Anna Sergeevna Odintsova and Katerina. The famous swindler and gambler, after 15 years of living in Moscow and St. Petersburg, “lost to dust” and was forced to settle in the village.
    • Princess Avdotya Stepanovna- Anna Sergeevna Odintsova’s aunt, an angry and arrogant old woman. After the death of her father, Anna Sergeevna settled her with her. At the end of the novel she dies, “forgotten on the very day of death.”
    • Timofeich- clerk of Vasily Ivanovich Bazarov, former uncle of Evgeny Bazarov. A shabby and agile old man with faded yellow hair.

    The novel “Fathers and Sons,” a landmark for its time, which was written by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev in the second half of the 19th century, has not lost its relevance to this day. At one time, the image of Yevgeny Bazarov, who is the main character of the novel “Fathers and Sons,” was perceived as a model worth imitating, especially for young people. Now, considering the question of what the novel “Fathers and Sons” is about, we will only briefly mention Bazarov’s personal characteristics, focusing primarily on the plot.

    The plot of the novel "Fathers and Sons"

    Evgeny Bazarov embodied a whole bunch of ideals that can be clearly seen in his worldview. He was uncompromising, did not bow to authoritative people and their principles, did not follow previously established truths, giving priority to concepts that were useful in his opinion, and not beautiful.

    So, in order to clearly show what the novel “Fathers and Sons” is about, we will now look directly at the events and main characters. It is important to remember that the peasant reform of 1861 played a significant role in Russian history, and the events described by Turgenev unfold just on the eve of this reform - in the summer of 1859. Let's begin to analyze the plot of the novel "Fathers and Sons".

    Evgeny Bazarov and Arkady Kirsanov visit Maryino to stay briefly with the elder Kirsanovs - this is Arkady's father (Nikolai Petrovich) and uncle (father's brother Pavel Petrovich). However, Bazarov does not get along with them, and soon decides to leave. He goes, accompanied by Arkady, to a provincial town. The friends are happy to spend time in the company of Kukshina and Sitnikova, who belong to the ranks of progressive youth. And a little later they are invited to the governor’s ball, where they meet Odintsova.

    Having left for the estate of Odintsova, with whom Bazarov and Arkady are already carried away, they have fun in Nikolskoye, but Bazarov makes an unsuccessful attempt to explain his feelings to Odintsova, and he has to retreat. Bazarov has parents - Vasily and Arina, and it is to them that Bazarov goes again with Arkady. After a while, Bazarov gets bored of sitting in parental home, so they, having stopped at Nikolskoye (where they are greeted coldly), go to Maryino.

    Nikolai Petrovich, father of Arkady Kirsanov, has illegitimate son, born from Fenechka, a girl who is kept in the Kirsanovs’ house. One day, out of boredom and incomprehensible passion, Bazarov kissed a young woman, Fenechka, but this scene was seen by his father’s brother Pavel Petrovich, which is why he and Bazarov had a duel. Arkady decides to return to Nikolskoye, where he falls in love with Odintsova’s sister Katya. Bazarov also comes there a little later, apologizing for his confession to Odintsova, but does not stay long, again deciding to live with his parents.

    There, Bazarov, helping his father treat the sick, becomes infected with typhus and dies, having met Odintsova before his death. Arkady and Katya get married, Arkady's uncle Pavel Petrovich leaves his homeland, going abroad, and his father, after all, marries Fenechka.

    In this article we only looked at what the novel “Fathers and Sons” is about and briefly saw the characteristics of Bazarov. You can read more about the main characters of the novel and its analysis in other articles on our blog. We hope that you also found the plot of the novel “Fathers and Sons” useful.