“Fathers and Sons” - a novel by I. S. Turgenev, a landmark for that time. It was written in 1860. His heroes became a role model for the young generation of knowledgeable Russia. And people like Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, whose characteristics are given in this article, simply lived out their lives.
What place does Kirsanov take in the novel?
Roman Turgenev shows an acute social period of time when the old foundations are crumbling at an incredible speed, and new, progressive ones are replacing it.
Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, whose characterization shows his position as an “old-timer”, occupies a central place in the work. He, along with several other characters, represents the "fathers", an established social class.
A whole generation is represented in the person of Pavel Kirsanov, who receives only rebukes and condemnation from others. And all that remains for them is to live out their lives, looking at the growing progress of society.
From the name it is clear that the novel is a kind of confrontation: young and old, new and old. Turgenev paired Pavel Kirsanov with the nihilist and revolutionary of Bazarov’s thoughts. At the end of the work, the reader must find out which of them will win.
Life story
The events of the novel date back to 1859. The landowner Nikolai Kirsanov has an older brother Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. The characteristic immediately reveals in him a strong and intelligent person. He is a military man, graduated from the Page Corps. Because of his status, he has always been successful in society, especially among women.
At twenty-eight years old, he received the rank of captain and was preparing for a brilliant career. But suddenly his whole life changed dramatically. Of course, he met a woman who became fatal for him.
A certain Princess R. in St. Petersburg society was reputed to be a frivolous young lady and coquette. But Kirsanov fell in love with her without memory. The princess, who initially reciprocated, quickly cooled to the officer.
Pavel Petrovich was deeply struck by this outcome, but did not give up. Passion for this woman consumed him, incinerated from the inside. Surprisingly, he did not feel satisfaction from their meetings, there was no joy in his heart, only bitter disappointment in his soul.
In the end, breaking with the princess, Kirsanov tried to return to his old life. But she did not let him go. In every woman he saw her features. Even in Fenichka, the beloved of his brother Nikolai.
Together with his brother, he lived in the estate of Maryino, and then left for the distant Dresden, where his life died out.
Appearance
The appearance of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov changed with the development of the novel. Initially, a real aristocrat, a sleek man dressed with a needle, appears before the reader. Only by looking at him, it was possible to understand that Kirsanov was a noble dandy and socialite. The manner of holding and talking betrayed this in him.
Turgenev points out that his gray hair was in perfect order, his face had no wrinkles and was unusually beautiful.
However, in disputes with Bazarov, Pavel Petrovich was transformed. He no longer radiated complete calm. As his irritation grew from a lack of understanding of the young man's views, the number of wrinkles increased, and the hero himself turned into a decrepit old man.
Form
Aristocrat Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, whose characterization is very positive, is shown to be intelligent, impeccably honest, principled. However, he is a representative of the old generation with stiff habits and looks.
Kirsanov is far from ordinary people, does not understand and does not accept him. And the people are afraid of him, in the apt expression of Bazarov. The hero is an adherent of all English. This is expressed in his behavior, habits, conversations. Quotes by Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov fully reveal his character and views. The liberal principles with which he swears remain only on the lips. But, despite this, he is a worthy rival to Bazarov, although he always loses to him.
Pavel Kirsanov characterizes the "old guard". His departure to Dresden is very symbolic, as it represents the departure of a whole generation into the past.