Roman Turgenev "Fathers and Sons": the history of creation. Fathers and Sons: Heroes

"Fathers and Sons" is one of Turgenev's most famous and popular novels. In general, he began comparatively late to publish his novels - only since 1856. By that time he was already many years old. Behind him was the experience of Notes of a Hunter and popularity as an author of essays.

The fourth novel and its current topics

Ivan Sergeevich wrote six novels in total. The fourth in a row was “Fathers and Sons,” the year of creation of which occurred in 1861. This work is the quintessence of Turgenev’s novel manner. He always seeks to depict the events of his personal life, relations between people against the background of any social phenomena.

The writer has always emphasized that he is a pure artist and more important for him is the aesthetic perfection of the book, and not its political or social relevance. However, in each work of Ivan Sergeyevich it is clear that he always falls into the very core of relevant public discussions of one time or another. The novel Fathers and Sons testifies to the same thing.

This work was published in 1862, during the rapprochement between Russia and Europe, when the great reform was carried out - serfdom was abolished. Very different philosophical currents and public views began to appear.

History of creation. "Fathers and Sons," or the Emergence of a New Concept

It is important to emphasize that Ivan Sergeyevich in the novel depicts the events of the pre-reform era of 1859. And it is he who not only opens, but also calls in his work that social phenomenon that has not yet been recognized as important and relevant.

The concept of "nihilism"! This word entered the vocabulary of Russian people after Turgenev’s novel Fathers and Sons was published. Although in itself it existed before.

Public Opinion and Criticism

Both censors and readers perceived the work in very different ways. A particularly heated debate erupted on the then popular pages of the Sovremennik and Russian Word magazines. Unfortunately, no creation can do without criticism - such is the history of creation. "Fathers and Sons" is a novel that was not taken at all as the creation of a "pure" artist.

In May 1862, literally a few months after the publication of the work of Ivan Sergeyevich, a catastrophe occurred in St. Petersburg. Several arsons were committed, people were killed, shops were destroyed.

This event was reminiscent of today's attacks. It is unclear who is trying to declare his political will, does not even reveal his identity. At the same time, innocent people suffer and die. And Turgenev is very much thrown a direct rebuke that his nihilists burn Petersburg. There were those who claimed that the novel Fathers and Sons was not really a work of art. This is an instruction for committing terrorist acts and crimes.

Now, not only critics opposed the author, but readers expressed their negative opinions. Here such a glow of passions and discussions was in full swing around the creation of Ivan Sergeyevich.

The author’s attitude to his characters and their comparison

But not only this is the story of creation. “Fathers and Sons” is a novel that did not contain the author’s unambiguous attitude to his characters. And such a crafty position, most readers did not like. It is so difficult to unravel what exactly Ivan Sergeevich wanted to say with his work.

In his creation, Turgenev gives a very wide panorama of Russian life. Moreover, it makes it so that literally all events can be read from two points of view. The first is the side of the fathers, which can be compared with the natural essence of the phenomena. As the seasons succeed each other, so in a person’s life there are some events that cannot be resisted.

On the other hand, there is a different point of view. This is a completely different countdown, not in a circle, but the alignment of vital moments in a clear line. This attitude refers to the young generation, which is not so much submitting to the essence of things, but hoping to change life.

And in the work “Fathers and Sons”, the heroes are not only opposed to each other, but are also brought together. They are in very close contact. Often the point of view of fathers shines through the opinions of young nihilists.

Romantic feelings in the work

Roman Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons" represents love in several ways and planes. This is the relationship between Fenichka and Nikolai Petrovich, Arkady and Katerina, as well as the failed love of Odintsova and Bazarov.

In all these cases, there is duality, which is present throughout the work. Through any harsh judgments, denials of any deep feelings, nevertheless, life emerges with its romance and lyrics.

The final place expressing the essence of the work

The creation of the novel "Fathers and Sons", its storyline, characterization of the characters, of course, are of great importance for the description of the work. But the epilogue is the strongest place in the text. It is here that the author’s philosophy is embodied.

Many believe that the story ends with the death of Bazarov. But this is not so. The final scene is a rural cemetery. Ivan Sergeyevich concludes his remarkable creation with two hidden quotes - from Pushkin's elegy "Am I wandering in the middle of noisy streets ..." and church hymns.

The key phrase is the comparison of human life with a world of indifferent nature. And yet, she is not indifferent. It’s just so omnipotent that it helps people overcome the vanity of the world and comprehend eternal and infinite life.

The true meaning of the work of Ivan Sergeevich

The contradiction between fathers and children, which is stated on the first pages of the novel, does not further escalate or deepen. On the contrary, extremes are increasingly approaching each other. As a result, the reader understands that in each family, the relationship of parents to their children is quite warm, and in return they reciprocate. And, despite all the previous critical and negative discussions that the creation history carries, the Fathers and Sons, as the plot develops, demonstrate that the contradictions between the views of the older generation and the younger are smoothed out more and more. And at the end of the novel, they practically come to naught.

Changes in the consciousness of the main character

And the main character himself is experiencing a particularly complex evolution - Bazarov. And she does not go under duress, but as a result of internal movements of the soul and mind. He denies all the basic values ​​of a noble society: nature, art, family, love. And Ivan Sergeevich perfectly understands that his hero, in principle, is completely hopeless and will not be able to live in this denial for a long time.

And as soon as love falls on the main character, his slender frame of reference collapses. He does not need to live. Therefore, it is unlikely that his death in this work can be considered accidental.

The meaning of Ivan Sergeyevich’s novel could be described very briefly by Pushkin’s quote: "Blessed is he who was young from youth ..." The fact is that the contradictions between young energy, activity and humility to life, which are inherent in more mature periods of man, are imaginary conflicts.

As nature absorbs and processes social phenomena within itself, so do the views of youth in the work Fathers and Sons. The heroes of the novel, their characters are gradually reborn and come closer to the opinions and opinions of the fathers. This is the outstanding achievement of Turgenev.

Ivan Sergeyevich could tell about the nihilist, a man who despises art by the means of this very skill. The author spoke about very acute social events not in the language of the participant’s remarks, but in the fiction. That is why the novel "Fathers and Sons" still excites the feelings of many readers.