Turgenev, "Fathers and Sons": reviews. Fathers and Sons: Criticism

Few novels in their writing caused so many reviews.

“Fathers and Sons” by Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev became a stumbling block for many critics. There was no similar literature with the protagonist-protagonist in Russia before the creation of this book. Initially, a negative review of M.A. Antonovich "Asmodeus of our time" in the journal "Contemporary". After some time, the work of the famous literary critic D.I. Pisarev, who published an article with the laconic name of "Bazarov" in the journal "Russian Word". Then followed another positive and very detailed review by N.N. Strakhov “I.S. Turgenev. Fathers and Sons".

And finally, when, it would seem, the readers have already received all the reviews necessary for understanding the essence of the work, “Fathers and Sons” received the long-awaited author’s comment from Ivan Turgenev himself. The classic shared with readers his idea of ​​the novel, spoke about the features of his publications.

Critical Stumbling Block - Interpretation of Generational Conflict

What did Antonovich write about? He expressed a bourgeois-liberal point of view, consistently "destroying" both the novel and the author. He interpreted the image of the protagonist as extremely negative, while the generation of fathers is positive heroes. Turgeneva, throughout the article, calls the author who wrote the boring book.

Fortunately, subsequent articles presented more constructive critical reviews. “Fathers and Sons,” according to D. Pisarev, is an extremely honest work. Dmitry Ivanovich was criticized against Antonovich for not disclosing the essence of the work, i.e. in compiling a panegyric to “fathers” and “exposing” misunderstood “children”. Further in the journal published by F.M.Dostoevsky, the Russian philosopher and literary critic Nikolai Nikolayevich Strakhov expressed ideas that help readers realize the integrity of Bazarov’s image (in particular, the interpretation of the motives for his denial of art and science).

Demonstrated by critics the integrity of the image of Bazarov

Thus, thanks to the joint efforts of the literary world, the image of Yevgeny Vasilyevich Bazarov, which was organic and logical for Russia at the end of the 19th century, emerged.

Like litmus paper, he reflected the whole difference between worldviews of different generations and at the same time he appeared to be not a static, life-full character who himself enclosed himself in a closed formula of nihilism.

It should be recognized that all the same, the reviews expressed by many critics, including Pisarev, are negative to Bazarov ’s excessive nihilism (denial of art). “Fathers and Sons”, however, subjectively compensate for this “ideological bias”. For three years, Bazarov was not in his small homeland; he absorbed the ideas of St. Petersburg and shared them with people who lived the old fashioned way. Despite the obvious misconceptions, it feels the energy and power that can change the world. And this is wonderful! However, this world despised by him affects him.

Bazarovsky principles. Their strength and weakness

On the one hand, people are attracted to asceticism, capacity for work, the emphasized simplicity of Eugene and his willingness to communicate. Yes, he is proud, but there is not even a drop of complacency, self-love. Moreover, both the yard and parents are not embarrassed or indignant at his innocuous mockery of them. He is attractive with his knowledge and conviction.

However, his seemingly unshakable position is still deformed, as critics' reviews testify. “Fathers and Sons” provide us with evidence of this. Bazarov, in spite of his will, gets involved in completely unexpected events: a conflict with Pavel Kirsanov, Dunyasha’s disposition, Prokofich’s contempt, Anna Odintsova’s enthusiasm . “What a stupid thing!” - he comments on the events taking place with him.

Perhaps that is why Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev assigns such a short life to this character, ending in an accidental death. Obviously, the author thus tries to capture the holistic image of a nihilist, not changed by the real world.

Critics of Bazarov's nihilism

About the difficult person wrote the novel Turgenev "Fathers and Sons." Reviews from critics confirm this .

Indeed, Bazarov’s denial of art seems ridiculous to many. However, this point of view, according to the philosopher Nikolai Strakhov, is organic with his interpretation of his asceticism. Its self-limitation does not extend to the pleasures of a person resting. He may well, while in society, drink wine along with everyone, as well as taste delicious dishes. His principles will not prevent him from spending the evening in this company playing cards. However, Eugene does not abuse such pleasures. He eschews temptations, enthralling the soul of man, capable of turning him off the practical path. Therefore, he deliberately avoids pleasures that rise above his personality and can, through feelings, influence him. That is why he avoids art, music. A connoisseur of art is invariably a contemplator, while Bazarov cultivates a figure in himself. A state of admiration is alien to him. Practicality and simplicity are much closer.

The critic Antonovich was particularly indignant at the fact that Bazarov denied science, in response Pisarev presented his arguments. Eugene used training in medicine precisely for the development of his mind. And, filling it with basic knowledge, allowing you to navigate, he went his own way of knowledge. He initially does not accept on faith any provisions of theoretical science. His door to new knowledge lies only through experiment.

Turgenev, feather master

You should also indicate how harmoniously the main character protests the denial of the beauty of nature, friendship, love, the book “Fathers and Sons” itself.

The reviews of literary critics testify to the unique ability of Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev to balance the plot of the novel. He does not convict his hero of errors explicitly, but unobtrusively, gradually, gives us his counterarguments. Eugene is indifferent to nature, but she surrounds him in all her Turgenev splendor. He despises friendship, but he is accompanied by a sincere and open companion Arkady. He taunts romantic love, however, the reader watches just such a novel by Arkady Kirsanov and Katya Odintsova. Bazarov is an atheist, but his grave is illuminated with light and peace, loved ones grieve over her ...

In other words, Bazarov reminds her titan son who rebelled against mother earth. How mighty he is, but his power is nothing before the force that gave birth to him.

Instead of a conclusion

The relevance of Turgenev’s novel is confirmed by how often the directors of various theaters put on the play “Fathers and Sons”.

The reviews of these performances show that the audience understands the essence of this difficult and in many ways conceptual book for Russia. Even a superficial study determines how various theater groups readily take up the Turgenev production: St. Petersburg Youth Theater, the Maly Theater, Tabakov Theater, and the Theater named after V. Mayakovsky, etc.

Modern viewers find the Turgenev plan to be topical. According to their reviews, Bazarov’s nihilism is still alive in today's society. He only became tougher, casting aside the charm of youth that shone through the design of the classic. In turn, modern “fathers” are able to oppose him with a much more extensive arsenal of arguments than the Kirsanovs.

However, in any case, the topic of generational conflict is eternal.