Turgenev, being himself of noble origin, conceived to portray his hero unsightly, to focus readers on the soullessness of nihilists. And Bazarov’s attitude to nature is the brightest marker of the author’s idea.
History of creation
Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev is a writer whose contribution to the development of Russian literature of the 19th century is practically invaluable. And it is not in vain that the novel Fathers and Sons is a programmatic work of the writer.
In the summer of 1860, the idea of ​​the novel arose. For the first time Turgenev mentions him in a letter to EE Lambert and speaks of his idea as a "great story." The writer plans to finish the job quickly, but he succeeds six months later. As a result, the novel was completed in July-August 1861.
But the final preparation for publication is completed only in 1862. More Turgenev did not rule the novel, only eliminated typos.
Turgenev's opinion of his novel
One of the editions of “Fathers and Sons” the author specially dedicated to V. G. Belinsky. With this, Turgenev declared allegiance to the ideas associated with the name of the great Russian critic, and the baselessness of the accusations that were sent to him from the Russian revolutionary democrats, who considered that Turgenev wanted to portray them in the image of Bazarov . In addition to dedication, Turgenev wanted to put a preface to the novel, but friends dissuaded him.
Discussion of the novel
The novel had a great resonance in society. Almost all newspapers responded to the publication of articles and essays.
“Fathers and Sons” caused a lot of disagreement among both like-minded Turgenev and political opponents. By choosing the materialist democrat, who rejects noble traditions and proclaims new principles of relations between people, the writer managed to show the universal value of these new ideals, which are still just beginning to appear. Bazarov is a hero of a new generation, he aroused interest and caused controversy.
Thus, Turgenev reflected in his novel the conflict of his era, posing a number of problems, first of all about the role and character of the “new man”, a man-activist.
Novel image system
The protagonist of Fathers and Sons became the mouthpiece for the ideas of revolutionary democracy, as Turgenev intended. Bazarov is opposed to the liberals of the nobility. His image is the key to the composition of the novel, all events, one way or another, are associated with it.
All the characters of the work are revealed only through interaction with Bazarov, and at the same time they will always emphasize or emphasize the personality of the main character. It is necessary to reveal their image in order to emphasize Bazarov’s mind, its superiority, strength of soul , loneliness, from which he suffers in the midst of the aristocracy.
The image of Bazarov
The plot is based on Bazarov’s clash with the aristocratic world. The world of the novel “Fathers and Sons” is topical and relevant for contemporaries. Bazarov, whose characterization speaks of him as a hero of his time, is a commoner, a democrat, a working man. He is far from aristocratic conventions and etiquette.
In a clash with other characters, Bazarov’s best qualities are revealed. Disputes with Pavel Petrovich reveal the depth of judgment, the maturity of the mind, hatred of slavery and gentry. Friendship with Arkady is the ability to convince others that you are right, to be a mentor.
Evgeny Bazarov is an independent, proud person who does not bow to authorities. The main thing for him is to comprehend. When Bazarov talks about nature, the scientist’s nature immediately manifests in him, which was typical of the sixties. He needs to explore, understand and apply, and not contemplate thoughtlessly.
Turgenev leads his hero through trials: first with love, then with death. Falling in love with Odintsova, a proud and courageous woman, Bazarov forgets about nihilism, he completely surrenders to feeling. But on the verge of death, he is again faithful to himself and fearlessly ready to accept death. It is in this scene, the last scene for Bazarov, that the whole strength of his soul, the unwavering convictions and aspirations, are manifested.
Bazarov's attitude to nature
“Nature is not a temple, but a workshop, and the person in it is a worker” - this phrase embodies the whole essence of the protagonist’s relationship to the world. He does not see beauty in nature, and he does not see it anywhere, because the main thing is benefit and deed.
Bazarov’s attitude to nature is unambiguous - for him she’s a workshop. Nature was created not for empty admiring, but in order to study, transform, change it as necessary. The only thing that can shake this confidence is love. A nihilist cannot love, since he denies this feeling itself. But with the advent of Odintsovo, the world is being transformed, it is no longer just a workshop.
Bazarov and Odintsova
The love line is of great importance for the novel Fathers and Sons. Bazarov, whose characterization before meeting with Anna Odintsova was unambiguously nihilistic, is reversed. His ideals are crumbling, ideas about the world are being transformed, he begins to doubt himself and his beliefs.
Anna, a smart and beautiful woman, immediately attracts the attention of Bazarov, he feels a kindred spirit in her . After talking with her, the hero realizes that he has fallen in love. Odintsova reveals herself as a person with her convictions and views, she can conduct an equal conversation and not yield to Eugene in anything.
The declaration of love by Bazarov depicted by Turgenev is very dramatic. Odintsova first invites Eugene to a heart-to-heart talk, it gradually becomes clear that she is in love with him. But Anna wants him to make a confession first.
Bazarov at this moment is torn by contradictions: he loves and is angry at the same time. As a nihilist, he cannot accept love; it will make him insignificant and miserable. For him, a strong personality, to fall in love means to succumb to weakness, to become weak-willed. But gradually he comes to understand that he is no longer able to resist this “disease”.
Love plunges Bazarov’s theory into disillusionment. However, at this moment he is most concerned about the fact that Odintsova will not decide on mutual feelings.
Eugene’s fears were justified, they remained only friends.
Conclusion
The image of nature for the works of Turgenev has always been significant. Recall at least the “Notes of the Hunter,” where many paragraphs are devoted to its descriptions. Therefore, the attitude of Bazarov to nature speaks volumes. The author focuses on the insensibility of the hero, and then brings him to love, and then it becomes clear that all this is false. The denial of beauty is for Eugene self-deception.