The works written by I. S. Turgenev made an invaluable contribution to the development of domestic literature. Many of them are well known to readers of various ages. However, the most popular of his works is the novel Fathers and Sons, a brief summary of which can be found in this article.
This work was completed in 1861 and was the answer to many questions that worried the minds of contemporaries of the writer. After all, this was the period preceding the abolition of serfdom. It was a turning point for Russia, whose public opinion was at the junction of the old conservative and innovative thinking that was replacing it. All this provoked a conflict of ideologies, which the writer vividly showed on the example of the life of the Kirsanov family.
Writing history
The idea of ​​creating a new work, which would reflect the surrounding reality, came to Turgenev at the moment when he was on the Isle of Hight, which belongs to England. The writer began to think about a major story about the life of a young doctor. The prototype of the protagonist (Bazarov) was a doctor whom Turgenev accidentally met while traveling by rail. In this young man, the Russian writer was able to consider the beginnings of nihilism - the philosophy of denying the norms of moral culture, as well as generally accepted values ​​and ideals, which was only emerging in those days.
A Russian peasant is the same mysterious stranger about whom Mrs. Ratcliffe once so much talked. Who will understand him? He does not understand himself ...
Turgenev began his work in 1860. At that time he went with his daughter to Paris and, having settled there, planned to create a new work in the shortest possible time. Already during the first year he wrote half of the novel. Moreover, from his work, Ivan Sergeyevich received great satisfaction. He was madly impressed by the image of his hero - Evgeny Bazarov. However, after some time, the writer realized that in a foreign land, far from Russian events, he simply could not work. That is why Turgenev is returning to his homeland. Here, in the atmosphere of contemporary social movements, he successfully completes his novel.
Shortly before the end of work on the book, a significant historical event took place in Russia, which was the abolition of serfdom. The writer wrote the last chapters of the novel in his small homeland, in the village of Spassky.
Publications
The novel “Fathers and Sons” by I. S. Turgenev was introduced to readers by the popular literary publication Russian Bulletin. As the writer expected, the ambiguous image of his protagonist became the cause of a violent reaction of critics. A lot of controversy over this work appeared in print. Critics wrote articles on the analysis of the characteristics of Bazarov and the ideological orientation of the novel. And this is not surprising, because the author introduced his reader to a completely new way. His hero, who denies everything beautiful and familiar, became a kind of hymn to the nihilistic movement that was still young in those years.
After the novel “Fathers and Sons” appeared in the Russian Herald, Turgenev made a small revision of the text. He somewhat smoothed out some particularly harsh features in Bazarov’s character and made his image more attractive compared to the original version. The edited version was published in the autumn of 1862. It was dedicated by Turgenev to his close friend V. G. Belinsky, due to whose influence the formation of public views of Ivan Sergeevich took place.
The novel "Fathers and Sons" took its rightful place in Russian literature. This unique work reflected the eternal confrontation that exists between two generations, not only on the example of a single family, but also on the scale of the social and political life of the whole state.
The meaning of the name
Of course, getting acquainted with the summary of “Fathers and Sons” and the analysis of the work, the reader wants to understand the essence of its title. Undoubtedly, it should not be interpreted literally.
The work tells us about two families - two representatives of the older generation and their two sons. However, when reviewing the summary of “Fathers and Sons,” the heroes somewhat recede into the background. The main meaning of the novel is not at all in the description of their life. It is concluded in the global differences of worldviews.
What can the analysis of the summary of “Fathers and Sons” by I. Turgenev tell us? The title of the novel tells the reader that in the communication of two generations there have always been, are and will continue to be some contradictions. At the same time, parents and their children are opposed to each other through the union of “and”. But this is only on paper. In fact, there is an abyss between them. This is a time period of a quarter century or more, during which the cultural, economic and political situation in the country and, of course, the views of the public sometimes change completely. At the same time, the older generation seeks to maintain an already existing worldview, and young people acquire their own outlook on life. And a similar situation is repeated forever. That is why the views of fathers and their children on life coincide extremely rarely. This is the meaning of the title of Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons”, which tells us that this antagonism is very natural and there is nothing reprehensible in it. At the same time, it is important that both parties maintain mutual respect for each other, and respect for parents remains with the acceptance of their good wishes, parting words and advice.
The ideology of the work
Not only with the confrontation of children and their parents is the meaning of the title of the novel. When considering the summary of “Fathers and Sons”, the main idea of ​​the work becomes clear to its reader. It lies in the fact that two generations belong to different ideologies that are modern for each generation. In the novel, the author introduces the reader not only to representatives of two families. He talks about several ideological worldviews, including the liberal, conservative, and revolutionary-democratic ones. As for the last of them, one of the key figures of the work adheres to it - Evgeny Bazarov. This young man is a future doctor, a follower of German materialists and a supporter of nihilism. It was with the help of Bazarov that the author managed to create the main resonance of the novel. This hero instructs Arkady, enters into disputes with the Kirsanov brothers, openly expresses his contempt for the pseudo-nihilists Kukshin and Sitnikov, and later, contrary to all the views expressed by him, falls in love with Anna Sergeevna Odintsova, a rich widow.
Analysis of heroes and their characteristics
What can we learn from the summary of “Fathers and Sons” by Ivan Turgenev? The main conservatives depicted in the work are Bazarov's parents. His father is an army doctor, and his mother is a devout landowner, used to lead a measured lifestyle in her village. They love their son very much. However, the mother is worried that she does not see faith in him. At the same time, parents rejoice in the success of Eugene and are confident in his bright future. Bazarov’s father is even proud that their son hasn’t asked him a dime for his whole life, trying to achieve everything himself. This characterizes the younger Bazarov as a strong, advanced and self-sufficient person. A similar image is also relevant for modern time.
Pseudo-nihilism of Kirsanov
From the brief summary of Turgenev's “Fathers and Sons” we learn about the close friend of Yevgeny Bazarov. This is Arkady Kirsanov. The author shows this hero as a person who is struggling to comply with Bazarov in the philosophy of nihilism that he affirms. However, he does it far-fetched and unnatural. Arkady has no firm belief that it is necessary to deny spiritual values.
Kirsanov is proud of himself and admires his friend Eugene. But at the same time, Arkady is sometimes forgotten. A mask falls off his face. Sometimes from the speech of this hero you can learn about his true feelings.
In the feeling of a person who knows and says that he is poor, there must be something special, some kind of vanity.
While Arkady presented himself as a convinced nihilist, he also fell in love with Odintsova. However, after he gave his preference to her sister Katya.
Worldview of the older generation
From the summary of the work “Fathers and Sons” we learn about the supporters of liberalism. They are brothers - Pavel and Nikolai Kirsanov. As for Nikolai Petrovich, his author describes him as a person with a fine mental organization. He loves literature and poetry, and also does not hide his anxious feelings for Fenichka, his servant and mother of his youngest son. Nikolai Petrovich is embarrassed that he loves a simple peasant girl, although at the same time he shows with all his might that he has advanced views and is far from all sorts of prejudices. But Pavel Petrovich acts as the main opponent of Bazarov in any disputes.
Men already dislike each other from their first meeting. No wonder the author describes their inner and outer opposites. So, Pavel Petrovich is squeamish and well-groomed. He winces, barely seeing Bazarov’s messy clothes and long hair. Eugene is ridiculous manner Kirsanov. Without any hesitation, he engages in sarcasm in the conversation and tries to prick his opponent as painfully as possible. The author shows the differences between them even when each of them pronounces the word “principle”. So, from the mouth of Bazarov it sounds abruptly and sharply - “principe”. Kirsanov stretches the word, pronouncing it slowly. At the same time, he puts emphasis on the last syllable - “principe”, as if in a French manner.
Aristocracy is a principle, but without immorality only immoral or empty people can live in our time ...
What do we learn about the confrontation between Kirsanov and Bazarov from the summary of “Fathers and Sons”?
In the end, the negative relationships that arose between the enemies reached their peak. The debaters even decided to duel. The reason for this was that Bazarov insulted the honor of Fenechka by kissing her on the lips. Due to the fact that Pavel Petrovich himself felt sympathy for the girl, he decided to challenge Eugene to a duel. What did it end with? We can also learn this from the very brief content of Fathers and Sons. Its outcome, fortunately, was not fatal. Bazarov remained unharmed, and Kirsanov was wounded in the leg. Such examples clearly testify to completely opposite opinions of representatives of different ideological views and generations about typical situations that arise in life. This also reflects the meaning of the title of the novel, which is much deeper in its narrative than it might seem to the reader at first glance.
And today, when studying the content of the novel "Fathers and Sons", we are pleased to get acquainted with its memorable, complex and ambiguous heroes. At the same time, each of them clearly demonstrates the talent of Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev, as well as his subtle psychologism and his understanding of human nature. We proceed to consider the summary of “Fathers and Sons” in chapters.
Start
What do we learn from the summary of Turgenev's Fathers and Sons? The first chapter of the work takes place in the spring days of 1859. The author introduces us to the small landowner Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov. He is in the inn where he awaits the arrival of his son. Nikolai Petrovich - a widower, owner of a small estate and 200 souls. As a young man, he dreamed of a military career. However, a small injury to his leg prevented his dreams from coming true. Kirsanov studied at the university, and after he got married and stayed to live in the village. A son was born in their family. When the boy was 10 years old, the wife of Nikolai Petrovich died, and he went headlong into the household and was engaged in raising his son Arkady. When he grew up, Kirsanov sent him to study in St. Petersburg and even moved there for three years to be near the young man.
Acquaintance with Bazarov
What will the summary of the chapters of the Fathers and Sons novel tell us further? Arkady Kirsanov did not come home alone. He brought with him a friend Eugene, with whom he asked not to stand on ceremony. The author tells us about this in the second chapter of the novel. Turgenev shows us Bazarov as a simple man. This is confirmed by his decision to go in tarantayka. Father and son sit in a stroller.
Way home
Further, the summary of the book “Fathers and Sons” will introduce us to the 3rd chapter. She tells the reader how the Kirsanovs and Bazarov went to their estate. The father did not hide the joy of meeting, trying to hug his son and constantly asking him about a friend. However, Arkady was a little shy and tried to demonstrate his indifference. He spoke with his father in a cheeky and indifferent tone, constantly looking back at Eugene. Afraid that a friend will hear his reasoning about the beauty of the local nature, he still asks his father about business on the estate. Then Nikolay Petrovich told that the peasant girl Fenya lives with him. However, he immediately hurries to explain that if her son does not like it, then she will leave.
Arrival at the estate
What further do we learn from the detailed summary of Fathers and Sons? Upon arrival home, no one met the owners. Only the old servant came out onto the porch, and for a moment the girl appeared. Kirsanov brought the guests into the living room, where he asked for lunch. Here they meet a very well-groomed and handsome elderly man - Kirsanov’s brother Pavel Petrovich. The impeccable appearance of a man is very different from the untidy Bazarov. After the meeting, the young men left the living room to put themselves in order. In their absence, Pavel Petrovich began to ask his brother about Bazarov, whose appearance he really did not like.
Dinner was almost in silence. The conversation did not stick. Everyone spoke little and, rising from the table, immediately went to their rooms to sleep.
Next morning
Studying the novel “Fathers and Sons,” we briefly move on to the 5th chapter. From it we learn that Eugene, waking up the very first, immediately went to explore the surroundings. The boys followed him, and together with them Bazarov went to the swamp to catch frogs there.
The Kirsanovs gathered to drink tea on the veranda. At this time, Arkady went to Fenechka and found out that he has a younger brother. The news caused him joy. He rebukes his father that he hid the birth of his son.
Returning to the Bazarov estate, he took the frogs he had caught to his room. There he intended to conduct experiments on them. Arkady told his father and uncle that his friend is a nihilist who does not accept any principles on faith.
Dispute
We continue to consider the summary of the chapters of “Fathers and Sons” by Turgenev. The next one, the sixth, tells us about a serious dispute that erupted between Eugene and Pavel Petrovich during morning tea.
However, they do not hide the apparent hostility to each other. Eugene scoffs at his opponent.
History of Pavel Petrovich
In order to somehow reconcile a friend with his uncle, Arkady tells Eugene the story of his life. In his youth, Pavel Petrovich was a military man. He was simply adored by women, and men envied the brave military man. At 28, Kirsanov fell in love with a princess. She had no children. However, she was married.
Pavel Petrovich suffered greatly and even abandoned a successful career, following his beloved around the world. However, she soon died. Kirsanov returned to his homeland and began to live in the village with his brother.
History of meeting with Fenichka
We continue to study the novel Fathers and Sons. Its summary tells the reader how Nikolai Petrovich met a peasant girl. He met Fenichka 3 years ago in a tavern. There she worked with her mother, but their affairs went very badly. Kirsanov felt sorry for the women and took them to his home. Soon, the mother died, and Kirsanov, falling in love with the girl, began to live with her. The author told us about this in the 8th chapter.
Acquaintance of Eugene with Fenichka
How did events develop in the novel Fathers and Sons? From the summary of chapter 9 we learn about Bazarov’s acquaintance with Fenechka. Eugene told her that he was a doctor, and if the need arose, she could contact him without any hesitation.
Attitude to Bazarov
From the summary of the 10th chapter of “Fathers and Sons” we understand that during the two weeks of Evgeny’s stay on the estate, everyone managed to get used to it. However, at the same time, everyone had a special relationship with the young man. , , , . .
Nikolai Petrovich tried to influence him, while recalling himself in his youth, when he also quarreled because of a misunderstanding with the older generation. On this parallel - fathers and children - the author draws his attention in the 10th chapter.
Further narration
In order to retell the novel “Fathers and Sons” by I. Turgenev, we learn what happened in the subsequent (from 11th to 28th) chapters.
Bazarova, together with Arkady, is invited to her house by Anna Odintsova. There they meet her younger sister, Catherine. The guests liked the girl so much that her presence fetters them.
Bazarov never considered himself a romantic. The concept of love was foreign to him. However, with the advent of Anna Sergeyevna in his life, his feelings changed. After a serious conversation with Odintsova, Bazarov decides to go to his parents. He is afraid that a woman is able to take possession of his heart, making a young man his slave. But, having been at home only a couple of days, he again returns to the Kirsanovs.
Fenichka attracted the attention of Eugene. He even kissed the girl that he saw Pavel Petrovich. The discontent of the elder Kirsanov led the men to a duel. Eugene slightly wounded Pavel Petrovich, but he immediately helped his opponent. After the duel, Pavel persuaded his brother to marry Fenichka and gave his consent.
Relations between Arkady and Katya are also improving. Bazarov again goes to his parents, devoting himself to work. Once he contracted typhoid. This happened due to the fact that while working with the corpse of a peasant who died from this disease, Eugene accidentally injured himself.
As a doctor, he understands that his days are numbered. Odintsov visits Bazarov, who is dying. She sees in him a perfect other, tormented by the disease of man. The young man swears to Anna in his bright feelings for her and in love. After that he dies. The death of Bazarov ends the 27th chapter of the novel "Fathers and Sons." What further does the author tell us? Six months later, on one day, two weddings took place. Nikolai Petrovich married Fen, and Arkady - on Katya. Pavel Petrovich left the estate, having gone abroad. Anna Odintsova also married, choosing a spouse for convenience. Life went on as usual. And only two old people, Bazarov’s parents, constantly spent their time on the grave of Eugene, where two Christmas trees grew.
This is a summary of Fathers and Sons. See quotes from the work above.