Ideological conflict between Bazarov and Kirsanov. Is it possible to unequivocally say that ideological differences lie at the heart of the conflict between Pavel Petrovich and Bazarov? based on the novel Fathers and Sons (Turgenev I.

The conflict between fathers and children is an eternal and universal problem, but in specific historical conditions it acquires special facets. Roman I.S. Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons", written during a period of profound historical changes associated with the reform of 1861, shows that in Russia at that time the problem of fathers and children was embodied in the confrontation between old and new ideological, socio-political and moral-philosophical positions. On the one hand, this is the generation of “fathers”, to which the noble liberals belonged, on the other hand, the generation of “children” that is replacing it, that is, new, democratically minded youth who denied everything that was connected with the old world. A dispute of socio-historical generations is unfolding before us.

The novel “Fathers and Sons” exposes the social antagonism of the positions of the democrat, nihilist Bazarov and the aristocrat, liberal Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. The liberal program, the main defender of which is Kirsanov Sr., is based on the ideas of dignity and integrity, self-respect, and honor. The nihilist Bazarov, proclaiming the idea of ​​“complete and merciless negation,” believes that the existing world must be destroyed in order to then carry out radical transformations. Nihilism, according to Turgenev, challenges the eternal values ​​of the spirit and the natural foundations of life, and this cannot but cause concern.

From this point of view, the generational conflict takes on a completely different semantic connotation. Turgenev shows not only differences, but also certain similarities between the antagonistic heroes, revealing the destructive sides of both Kirsanov’s conservatism and Bazarov’s nihilism. With the beginning of the Bazarov-Odintsov love line, the problem of fathers and children moves to the moral and philosophical level. The former Bazarov, a convinced denier of the “secrets of existence,” no longer exists. Like Pavel Petrovich, who also failed in love, Bazarov is immersed in reflection on these secrets and also turns out to be a stranger to ordinary life, an “extra person.” Now the socio-historical positions of the antagonist heroes are tested by eternal values: love, friendship, family, death.

Turgenev clearly demonstrates the idea that any extremes are destructive. Having lost all life connections, lost friendship, failed to find love, to restore a truly filial relationship with his parents, Bazarov dies. Pavel Petrovich also lives out his life alone. But the ending of the novel is open: the picture depicting Bazarov’s death is followed by a short epilogue, which reports on how the fates of other heroes work out. It turns out that life goes on where there is no gap between fathers and children, where different generations find a way to mutual understanding. These are the families of Arkady and Katya, Nikolai Petrovich and Fenechka. This means that the eternal conflict between fathers and children can still have a positive solution.

Why did the relationship between Bazarov and Odintsova end tragically? (based on the novel by I.S. Turgenev “Fathers and Sons”)

Turgenev always believed that it is love that tests a person, and therefore the love line between Bazarov and Odintsov is very important for understanding the novel as a whole. From the moment of its emergence, the concrete historical line of plot development is transformed into a moral and philosophical one, ideological disputes are replaced by questions posed by life itself, and the character of the hero becomes more complex and contradictory. He, who denied the romance of love, himself fell romantically, hopelessly in love. His feelings and previous beliefs come into conflict, which makes the relationship with Odintsova complex and sometimes painful for the hero.

The beautiful Anna Sergeevna Odintsova is a strong, deep, independent person, endowed with a developed mind, but at the same time she is cold and selfish. In some ways she is similar to Bazarov: like him, she treats other people condescendingly, feeling her superiority over them. She is the only one in the novel who correctly understood the complex and contradictory character of Bazarov, appreciated him, and understood the depth and strength of the feeling that arose in him. It would seem that all this could lead to a strong alliance of heroes. After all, both of them are, in fact, very lonely. Odintsova, like Bazarov, feels that the powers of her rich nature remain unrealized.

But what awaits her and Bazarov? The scene of the hero's declaration of love shows that there is no harmony in their relationship and cannot be. It is not for nothing that Anna Sergeevna is so frightened by some hidden, but sometimes emerging, formidable force hidden in Bazarov. He has the courage to admit that he is in love, like a real romantic, but the consciousness of this makes him angry - either at himself or at Odintsova. On the other hand, she herself lacks the courage and determination to connect her fate with him. Instead of a busy, unpredictable, but extremely difficult life with this extraordinary man, she prefers a somewhat boring, but very comfortable existence in the familiar conditions of a wealthy aristocratic circle. At the end of the novel, we learn that Anna Sergeevna married very successfully and is quite satisfied with her life. So the responsibility for the unfulfilled relationship with Bazarov lies with her.

Didn't like the essay?
We have 10 more similar essays.


I. S. Turgenev reflected in his novel “Fathers and Sons” the conflict that arose between two socio-political camps in Russia in the 60s of the 19th century. Evgeny Bazarov became the spokesman for the ideas of the democrats-raznochintsy. He is contrasted in the novel with the liberal nobility, the most prominent representative of which is Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. In order to reflect the conflict of a turning point in the life of Russia in its entirety, Turgenev pits these two heroes against one another. “Who is Bazarov?” - They ask Kirsanov in Arkady and hear the answer: “Nihilist.” The views of the “nihilist” and Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov were completely opposite. From the very first meeting they felt hostility towards each other. Pavel Petrovich, having learned that Evgeny would be visiting them, asked: “This hairy one?” And Bazarov remarked to Arkady in the evening: “And your uncle is an eccentric one.” Contradictions always arose between them. “We will still have a fight with this doctor, I am I have a presentiment,” says Kirsanov.

Let's take a closer look at the main characters of the novel. Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is the son of a military general in 1812. Graduated from the Corps of Pages. Outwardly, he is a man with a good face, youthfully slender. An aristocrat, an Anglomaniac, he was self-confident and indulged himself. Living in the village with his brother, Pavel. Petrovich retained aristocratic habits (he wore an English suit and patent leather boots. Bazarov is the grandson of a sexton, the son of a district doctor. One can feel strength and energy in this man. He speaks in a “manly voice,” clearly and simply. Bazarov’s procession is “firm and swiftly bold. In In general, in Bazarov's appearance, Turgenev emphasizes his intellectual beginning. What is the worldview of these heroes of the novel? Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is deeply convinced that the aristocrats won the right to a leading position in society not by origin, but by moral dignity and deeds (“The aristocracy gave freedom to England and supports it” ), i.e. moral standards developed by aristocrats are the support of the human personality. Kirsanov believes that only immoral people can live without principles. At the same time, we see that the principles of Pavel Petrovich do not correlate in any way with his deeds - the life of a typical representative of an aristocratic society passes in idleness. In contrast, Bazarov accepts only what is useful (“They will tell me the case, I will agree.” “At the present time, denial is most useful - we deny.” Continuous work for the benefit of society is the content of Bazarov's life. Turgenev reveals the nature of his work: “Bazarov brought a microscope with him and spent hours fiddling with it, he conducts “physical and chemical experiments,” that is, he continues his scientific studies in Maryino. Important features of Bazarov's worldview are his atheism and materialism.

In disputes with Pavel Petrovich, Bazarov argued for the need to deny the way of life. When asked what he denies, he gives a short answer: “Everything.” Kirsanov did not recognize such a position in life, which was the basis of the heroes’ hostility. Young people came to destroy and expose, and someone else will do the building. “You deny everything, or, to put it more precisely, you destroy everything. That’s how we need to build,” Kirsanov tells Evgeniy. “This is no longer our business. First, clear the place,” answers Bazarov. Despite some external similarities in the views of Pavel Petrovich and Bazarov on the people, in the main they diverge. To Pavel Petrovich, the religiosity of the people, life according to the rules established by their grandfathers seem to be primordial and valuable features of people's life, they touch him. Bazarov hates these qualities: “The people think that when thunder roars, it is Elijah the prophet riding in a chariot across the sky. What? Should I agree with him? “The same features inherent in people’s life are called differently by the heroes of the novel and are assessed differently. Pavel Petrovich says: “They (the people) cannot live without faith.” Bazarov believes that “crude superstition is strangling him. They also argue about poetry, art, philosophy. Bazarov amazes and irritates Kirsanov with his cold-blooded thoughts about the denial of personality and everything spiritual. From Bazarov’s point of view, “reading Pushkin is a waste of time, playing music is ridiculous, enjoying nature is absurd. As a true materialist, he perceives nature as a “workshop”, and “man is a worker in it.” “I will die, and a burdock will grow out of me,” says Bazarov pragmatically. Pavel Petrovich, on the contrary, admires nature and loves art. Bazarov’s maximalism, which believes that one can and should rely in everything only on one’s own experience and one’s own feelings, leads to the denial of art, since art is precisely a generalization and artistic understanding of someone else’s experience. The nihilist believes that art (and literature, painting, and music) softens the soul and distracts from business. All this is “romanticism”, “nonsense”. It seemed blasphemous to Bazarov to “explain” about art, “unconscious creativity” when “we are talking about our daily bread. In the disputes between Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov and Bazarov, I want to take the side of one or the other. It seems to me that both of these heroes of Turgenev were right in some ways and wrong in some ways. But in general, Bazarov, who personifies the younger generation, has advantages: he has novelty of thoughts, high efficiency, and dedication. He is closer to ordinary people, because people are drawn to him. (Bazarov “possessed a special ability to arouse trust in himself among inferior people, although he never indulged them or treated them carelessly,” writes Turgenev). The principles and ideals of the fathers are becoming a thing of the past. This is especially clearly shown in the scene of the duel between Kirsanov and Bazarov.

“The duel,” wrote Turgenev, “was introduced to visually prove the emptiness of elegant noble chivalry, presented in an enlarged comic manner.

Both Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov and Bazarov are depicted by Turgenev as extraordinary personalities. Due to circumstances, they became exponents of the ideas of two different eras, as well as different social camps - aristocratic and revolutionary-democratic. That is why the conflict that arose between them is so deep. Using his example, Turgenev clearly shows us the burning problems of the 60s of the 19th century. The skill of the author of the novel “Fathers and Sons” allows us to feel the atmosphere of this turning point in the life of Russia.

The meaning of the conflict between Bazarov and the Kirsanov brothers. In the novel “Fathers and Sons,” the clash does not occur between the older and younger generations of the Kirsanovs and Bazarovs. Neither Arkady Kirsanov nor Evgeny Bazarov comes into conflict with their fathers. By “fathers” or “older generation” we mean people of outdated social views. And the “children”, or “younger generation”, are supporters of new, revolutionary democratic ideas. The struggle between these two worldviews is the main meaning of the conflict of the novel.

The plot is built on gradually increasing ideological disputes between two warring groups. The conflict between them ends, as it did in life, with a complete break.

The noble group in the novel is represented by the Kirsanov brothers. The democrat commoner Evgeniy Bazarov belongs to the “children” camp.

Turgenev called Bazarov his “favorite brainchild,” “an expression of our newest modernity.” His origins are reported very sparingly: his father was a military doctor who led a “wandering life,” and his grandfather once “ploughed the land.” Evgeniy grew up in an environment of labor and hardship; there was no one to educate him and teach him manners. Bazarov's democracy is clearly manifested in his speech; it is full of proverbs and sayings: “Grandma said two more”; “You can’t find someone with fire during the day,” “The dead are not a friend to the living.” He speaks without any evasiveness, without forcing himself into feigned politeness. Bazarov sees his purpose in breaking down old orders, concepts and ideas. “First we need to clear the place,” “We want to fight!” - these are his slogans. Perhaps Arkady is right when he believes that Evgeny “will be famous,” but “not in the medical field.”

“A democrat to the core,” Bazarov hates the nobility and, in turn, evokes a feeling of reciprocal hostility on the part of the masters. His “fights” with Pavel Petrovich are a reflection of mutual class hatred. The aristocracy of Pavel Petrovich, his habits, manners, and lordly idleness are alien and hostile to Bazarov. In turn, Pavel Petrovich “hated Bazarov with all the strength of his soul: he considered him proud, impudent, cynic, plebeian; he suspected that Bazarov did not respect him, that he almost despised him.”

Once upon a time, Pavel Petrovich had a brilliant military career ahead of him, but an unsuccessful love for a woman “with a mysterious look” turned his whole life upside down. He retired, wandered in foreign lands, then returned to Russia, was bored, doing nothing, and so ten “colorless, fruitless, fast years” passed. This is an aristocrat so alien to the people that he “doesn’t even know how to talk to them.” Talking to the peasants, he “winces his face and sniffs the cologne.” He reads only English books and newspapers, dresses in the English manner, and in the village retains the aristocratic habit of changing clothes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. He speaks in an emphatically refined, old-fashioned manner. There are many foreign words in his speech, which, according to Bazarov, “a Russian person does not need for nothing.”

Hatred for Bazarov deprives him of the necessary restraint in disputes; he often gets lost and, instead of convincing arguments, throws caustic remarks at his opponent and experiences “secret irritation.”

Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov strives to “get up to par with modern requirements”; he fusses and fusses a lot. He is elected as a peace mediator and is called “red.” On his estate, he introduces innovations: he has not an estate, but a farm, not serfs, but hired workers. However, the kind and gentle master turns out to be a helpless owner: “the newly established household creaked like an unoiled wheel, crackled like homemade furniture made of raw wood.”

Arkady Kirsanov is captivated by the ideas of common democrats, but by birth, upbringing and habits he was drawn to the environment of “father”, to the nests of the nobility, where he felt great. Bazarov understands this. They cannot be true friends and like-minded people. Parting with Arkady, Bazarov gives him an accurate description: “You were not created for our bitter, tart, bean life. You have neither insolence nor anger. You are a nice fellow; but you’re still a soft, liberal gentleman.”

Bazarov’s victory over the “feudal lords” the Kirsanov brothers, the dethronement of Arkady and the break with him emphasize the main idea of ​​the novel, which, according to Turgenev, is “the triumph of democracy over the aristocracy.”

I. S. Turgenev reflected in his novel “Fathers and Sons” the conflict that arose between two socio-political camps in the Russian Federation in the 60s of the 19th century. The writer Yevgeny Bazarov became the spokesman for the ideas of the raznochintsy-democrats. He is contrasted in the novel with the liberal nobility, the most prominent representative of which is Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. In order to reflect the conflict of a turning point in the life of the Russian Federation in its entirety, Turgenev pits these two heroes against one another.

“Who is Bazarov?” - the Kirsanovs ask Arkady and hear the answer: “Nihilist.” The views of the “nihilist” and Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov were completely opposite. From the very first meeting they felt hostility towards each other. Pavel Petrovich, having learned that Evgeny would be visiting them, asked: “This hairy one?” And Bazarov remarked to Arkady in the evening: “Your uncle is eccentric.” Controversies constantly arose between them. “We will still have a fight with this doctor, I foresee it,” says Kirsanov.

Let's take a closer look at the main characters of the novel. Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is the son of a military general in 1812. Graduated from the page corps. Outwardly, he is a man with a beautiful face, youthfully slender. An aristocrat, an Anglomaniac, he was self-confident and indulged himself. Living in the village with his brother, Pavel Petrovich retained his aristocratic habits (he wore an English suit and patent leather ankle boots). Bazarov is the granddaughter of a sexton, the son of a district doctor. You can feel strength and energy in this person. He speaks in a “manly voice,” clearly and simply. Bazarov’s gait is “firm and swiftly bold.” In general, in Bazarov’s appearance, Turgenev emphasizes his intellectual beginning.

What is the worldview of these heroes of the novel? Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is strongly convinced that the aristocrats won the right to a leading position in society not by origin, but by moral virtues and deeds (“The aristocracy gave freedom to England and supports it”), that is, the moral standards developed by the aristocrats are the support of the human personality.

The title of Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" very accurately reflects the main conflict of the work. The writer raises a layer of cultural, family, romantic, platonic and friendly themes, but the relationship between two generations - the older and the younger - comes to the fore. The dispute between Bazarov and Kirsanov is a vivid example of this confrontation. The historical backdrop for ideological conflicts was the mid-19th century, the time before the abolition of serfdom in the Russian Empire. At the same time, liberals and revolutionary democrats clashed head-on. Let's look at the details and outcome of the controversy using the example of our heroes.

The central conflict of the novel “Fathers and Sons” is the dispute between Bazarov and Kirsanov

It is a mistake to believe that the essence of the work “Fathers and Sons” comes down to just a change in the ideology of generations, which has socio-political implications. Turgenev endowed this novel with deep psychologism and a multi-layered plot. With a superficial reading, the reader’s focus is only on the conflict between the aristocracy and commoners. The dispute helps to identify the views held by Bazarov and Kirsanov. The table below shows the essence of these contradictions. And if we dig deeper, we can notice that there is an idyll of family happiness, and intrigue, and emancipation, and grotesqueness, and the eternity of nature, and reflections on the future.

Evgeny Bazarov finds himself in the midst of a conflict between fathers and sons when he agrees to come and visit Maryino with his university friend Arkady. The atmosphere in my friend’s house did not immediately go well. Manners, appearance, difference of views - all this provokes mutual antipathy with Uncle Arkady. The further dispute between Bazarov and Kirsanov flares up due to many topics: art, politics, philosophy, the Russian people.

Portrait of Evgeny Bazarov

Evgeny Bazarov is a representative of the generation of “children” in the novel. He is a young student with progressive views, but at the same time prone to nihilism, which the “fathers” condemn. Turgenev seemed to deliberately dress the hero absurdly and carelessly. The details of his portrait emphasize the rudeness and spontaneity of the young man: wide forehead, red hands, self-confident behavior. Bazarov, in principle, is outwardly unattractive, but has a deep mind.

The dispute between Bazarov and Kirsanov is aggravated by the fact that the former does not recognize any dogmas or authorities. Evgeniy is convinced that any truth begins with doubt. The hero also believes that everything can be verified experimentally, and does not take judgments on faith. The situation is aggravated by Bazarov’s intolerance towards opposing opinions. He is deliberately harsh in his statements.

Portrait of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov

Pavel Kirsanov is a typical nobleman, a representative of the “fathers” generation. He is a pampered aristocrat and a staunch conservative who adheres to liberal political views. He dresses elegantly and neatly, wears formal suits in the English style and starches his collars. Bazarov's opponent is very well-groomed in appearance and elegant in manners. He shows his “breed” with all his appearance.

From his point of view, established traditions and principles must remain unshakable. The dispute between Bazarov and Kirsanov is reinforced by the fact that Pavel Petrovich perceives everything new negatively and even hostilely. Here innate conservatism makes itself felt. Kirsanov bows to the old authorities, only they are true for him.

Dispute between Bazarov and Kirsanov: table of disagreements

The most important problem has already been voiced by Turgenev in the title of the novel - the generation difference. The line of argument between the main characters can be traced from this table.

"Fathers and Sons": conflict of generations

Evgeny Bazarov

Pavel Kirsanov

Manners and portrait of heroes

Careless in his statements and behavior. A self-confident but smart young man.

Smart, sophisticated aristocrat. Despite his venerable age, he retained his slim and presentable appearance.

Political Views

Promotes nihilistic ideas, which Arkady also follows. Has no authority. Recognizes only what he considers useful for society.

Adheres to liberal views. He considers personality and self-respect to be the main value.

Attitude towards the common people

He despises commoners, although he is proud of his grandfather, who worked on the land all his life.

He comes to the defense of the peasantry, but keeps his distance from them.

Philosophical and aesthetic views

Convinced materialist. Doesn't consider philosophy to be something important.

Believes in the existence of God.

Motto in life

Has no principles, is guided by sensations. Respects people who are either listened to or hated.

He considers aristocracy to be the main principle. And he equates unprincipled people with spiritual emptiness and immorality.

Attitude to art

Denies the aesthetic component of life. Does not recognize poetry or any other manifestation of art.

He considers art important, but is not interested in it himself. The person is dry and unromantic.

Love and women

Voluntarily gives up love. Considers it only from the point of view of human physiology.

He treats women with reverence, reverence, and respect. In love - a real knight.

Who are nihilists

The ideas of nihilism are clearly manifested in the confrontation between opponents, who are Pavel Kirsanov and Bazarov. The dispute reveals the rebellious spirit of Yevgeny Bazarov. He does not bow to authority, and this unites him with the revolutionary democrats. The hero questions and denies everything he sees in society. This is precisely the trait that nihilists have.

Storyline outcome

In general, Bazarov belongs to the category of people of action. He does not accept conventions and feigned aristocratic etiquette. The hero is in a daily search for truth. One of such searches is the dispute between Bazarov and Kirsanov. The table clearly shows the contradictions between them.

Kirsanov is good at polemics, but things don’t go beyond talking. He talks about the life of the common people, but only the ashtray in the shape of a bast shoe on his desktop speaks of his true connection with them. Pavel Petrovich talks with pathos about serving for the good of the Motherland, while he himself lives a well-fed and calm life.

Because of the uncompromising nature of the heroes, the truth is not born in the novel "Fathers and Sons." The dispute between Bazarov and Kirsanov ends in a duel, which demonstrates the emptiness of noble knighthood. The collapse of the ideas of nihilism is identified with the death of Eugene from blood poisoning. And the passivity of the liberals is confirmed by Pavel Petrovich, since he remains to live in Dresden, although life away from his homeland is difficult for him.