Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich. Evgeny Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. What are Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich arguing about?

The fight took place that same day over evening tea. Pavel Petrovich went into the living room already ready for battle, irritated and determined. He was only waiting for an excuse to attack the enemy; but the pretext did not present itself for a long time. Bazarov generally spoke little in the presence of the “old Kirsanovs” (as he called both brothers), and that evening he felt out of sorts and silently drank cup after cup. Pavel Petrovich was burning with impatience; his wishes finally came true.
The conversation turned to one of the neighboring landowners. “Rubbish, aristocratic,” remarked indifferently Bazarov, who met him in St. Petersburg.
“Let me ask you,” Pavel Petrovich began, and his lips trembled, “according to your concepts, do the words “rubbish” and “aristocrat” mean the same thing?
“I said: “aristocratic,” said Bazarov, lazily taking a sip of tea.
- Exactly so, sir: but I believe that you have the same opinion about aristocrats as you do about aristocrats. I consider it my duty to tell you that I do not share this opinion. I dare say that everyone knows me as a liberal person who loves progress; but that is precisely why I respect aristocrats - real ones. Remember, dear sir (at these words, Bazarov raised his eyes to Pavel Petrovich), remember, dear sir,” he repeated with bitterness, “the English aristocrats. They do not give up an iota of their rights, and therefore they respect the rights of others; they demand the fulfillment of duties in relation to them, and therefore they themselves fulfill their duties. The aristocracy gave freedom to England and maintains it.
“We’ve heard this song many times,” objected Bazarov, “but what do you want to prove with this?”
“I want to prove eftim, dear sir (Pavel Petrovich, when he was angry, said with intent: “eftim” and “efto,” although he knew very well that the grammar does not allow such words. This quirk reflected the rest of the legends of Alexander’s time. The then aces, in rare cases when they spoke their native language, some used - efto, others - ehto: we, they say, are native Russians, and at the same time we are nobles who are allowed to neglect school rules), I want to prove efthy, that without self-esteem, without self-respect - and in an aristocrat these feelings are developed - there is no solid foundation for a public... bien public (public good (French).), public building. Personality, dear sir, is the main thing: the human personality must be as strong as a rock, for everything is built on it. I know very well, for example, that you deign to find my habits, my toilet, my cleanliness, finally, funny, but this all stems from a sense of self-respect, from a sense of duty, yes, yes, yes, duty. I live in a village, in the middle of nowhere, but I don’t give up on myself, I respect the person in me.
“Excuse me, Pavel Petrovich,” said Bazarov, “you respect yourself and sit with folded hands; What good is this for the bien public? You wouldn't respect yourself and do the same thing.
Pavel Petrovich turned pale.
- This is a completely different question. I don’t have to explain to you now why I’m sitting with my hands folded, as you deign to put it. I just want to say that aristocracy is a principle, and in our time only immoral or empty people can live without principles. I told this to Arkady the next day of his arrival and I repeat it to you now. Isn't that right, Nikolai?
Nikolai Petrovich nodded his head.
“Aristocracy, liberalism, progress, principles,” Bazarov said meanwhile, “just think, how many foreign... and useless words!” Russian people don’t need them for nothing.
- What do you think he needs? To listen to you, we are outside humanity, outside its laws. For mercy - the logic of history requires...
- What do we need this logic for? We can do without it.
- How so?
- Yes, just like that. I hope you don't need logic to put a piece of bread in your mouth when you're hungry. Where do we care about these abstractions!
Pavel Petrovich waved his hands.
“I don’t understand you after that.” You insult the Russian people. I don’t understand how you can not recognize the principles and rules! Why are you acting?
“I already told you, uncle, that we do not recognize authorities,” Arkady intervened.
“We act because of what we recognize as useful,” said Bazarov. “In these times, the most useful thing is denial—we deny.”
-- All?
-- All.
-- How? not only art, poetry... but also... scary to say...
“That’s it,” Bazarov repeated with inexpressible calm.
Pavel Petrovich stared at him. He did not expect this, and Arkady even blushed with pleasure.
“But excuse me,” Nikolai Petrovich spoke. “You deny everything, or, to put it more precisely, you destroy everything... But you also need to build.”
- This is no longer our business... First we need to clear the place.
“The current state of the people requires this,” Arkady added with importance, “we must fulfill these demands, we do not have the right to indulge in the satisfaction of personal egoism.”
Bazarov apparently did not like this last phrase; she emanated philosophy, that is, romanticism, for Bazarov called philosophy romanticism; but he did not consider it necessary to refute his young student.
-- No no! - Pavel Petrovich exclaimed with a sudden impulse, - I don’t want to believe that you, gentlemen, really know the Russian people, that you are representatives of their needs, their aspirations! No, the Russian people are not what you imagine them to be. He sacredly honors traditions, he is patriarchal, he cannot live without faith...
“I won’t argue against this,” Bazarov interrupted, “I’m even ready to agree that you’re right about this.”
- And if I'm right...
“Still, this doesn’t prove anything.”
“It doesn’t prove anything,” Arkady repeated with the confidence of an experienced chess player who foresaw the apparently dangerous move of his opponent and therefore was not at all embarrassed.
- How does it not prove anything? - muttered the amazed Pavel Petrovich. - So, you are going against your people?
- Would it even be so? - exclaimed Bazarov. “The people believe that when thunder roars, it is Elijah the prophet riding across the sky in a chariot. Well? Should I agree with him? And besides, he’s Russian, and isn’t I Russian myself?
- No, you are not Russian after everything you just said! I cannot recognize you as a Russian.
“My grandfather plowed the land,” Bazarov answered with arrogant pride. “Ask any of your men which of us—you or me—he would rather recognize as a compatriot.” You don’t even know how to talk to him.
“And you talk to him and despise him at the same time.”
- Well, if he deserves contempt! You condemn my direction, but who told you that it is accidental in me, that it is not caused by the very spirit of the people in whose name you advocate so much?
- Of course! We really need nihilists!
- Whether they are needed or not is not for us to decide. After all, you also consider yourself not useless.
- Gentlemen, gentlemen, please, no personalities! - Nikolai Petrovich exclaimed and stood up.
Pavel Petrovich smiled and, placing his hand on his brother’s shoulder, made him sit down again.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I will not be forgotten precisely because of that sense of dignity that Mr. ... Mr. Doctor mocks so cruelly.” Excuse me,” he continued, turning again to Bazarov, “perhaps you think that your teaching is new? You are wrong to imagine this. The materialism you preach has been in use more than once and has always proven untenable...
- Again a foreign word! - Bazarov interrupted. He began to get angry, and his face took on a kind of copper and rough color. “First of all, we don’t preach anything; this is not in our habits...
-What are you doing?
- This is what we do. Before, not long ago, we said that our officials take bribes, that we have neither roads, nor trade, nor proper courts...
“Well, yes, yes, you are accusers,” that’s what it’s called, I think. I agree with many of your denunciations, but...
“And then we realized that chatting, just chatting about our ulcers, is not worth the trouble, that it only leads to vulgarity and doctrinaire; we saw that our wise men, the so-called progressive people and exposers, are no good, that we are engaged in nonsense, talking about some kind of art, unconscious creativity, about parliamentarism, about the legal profession and God knows what, when it comes to the urgent ones bread, when the grossest superstition is strangling us, when all our joint-stock companies are bursting solely because there is a shortage of honest people, when the very freedom that the government is fussing about will hardly benefit us, because our peasant is happy to rob himself in order to get drunk on intoxication in a tavern.
“So,” interrupted Pavel Petrovich, “so: you were convinced of all this and decided not to take anything seriously yourself.”
“And they decided not to take on anything,” Bazarov repeated gloomily.
He suddenly felt annoyed with himself, why he had made such a fuss in front of this master.
- But just swear?
- And swear.
-And this is called nihilism?
“And this is called nihilism,” Bazarov repeated again, this time with particular insolence.
Pavel Petrovich narrowed his eyes slightly.
- So that’s how it is! - he said in a strangely calm voice. - Nihilism should help all grief, and you, you are our saviors and heroes. But why do you honor others, even the same accusers? Don't you talk like everyone else?
“They are not sinners than other sins,” Bazarov said through clenched teeth.
- So what? Are you acting, or what? Are you going to take action?
Bazarov did not answer. Pavel Petrovich trembled, but immediately controlled himself.
“Hm!.. Act, break...” he continued. - But how can you break it without even knowing why?
“We break because we are strong,” Arkady noted.
Pavel Petrovich looked at his nephew and grinned.
“Yes, the force never gives an account,” said Arkady and straightened up.
- Unhappy! - Pavel Petrovich cried out; he was absolutely incapable of holding on any longer—if only you would have thought that you were supporting Russia with your vulgar maxim! No, this can drive an angel out of patience! Force! Both the wild Kalmyk and the Mongol have strength - but what do we need it for? We value civilization, yes, yes, dear sir, we value its fruits. And don’t tell me that these fruits are insignificant: the last dirty guy, un barbouilleur, a pianist who gets five kopecks an evening, and those are more useful than you, because they are representatives of civilization, and not brute Mongolian force! You imagine yourself to be progressive people, but all you have to do is sit in a Kalmyk tent! Force! Yes, remember, finally, gentlemen, mighty, that you are only four and a half people, and there are millions of those who will not allow you to trample under your feet their most sacred beliefs, who will crush you!
“If they crush you, that’s the way to go,” said Bazarov. - Only the grandmother said something else. There are not as many of us as you think.
-- How? Are you seriously thinking of getting along, getting along with the whole people?
“As a result of a penny candle, you know, Moscow burned down,” answered Bazarov.
-- So-so. First, almost satanic pride, then mockery. This is what young people are passionate about, this is what the inexperienced hearts of boys conquer! Look, one of them is sitting next to you, because he is almost praying for you, admire it. (Arkady turned away and frowned.) And this infection has already spread far. I was told that in Rome our artists never set foot in the Vatican. Raphael is considered almost a fool, because he is supposedly an authority; and they themselves are powerless and fruitless to the point of disgusting, and they themselves don’t have enough imagination beyond “The Girl at the Fountain”, no matter what! And the girl is written very badly. In your opinion, they are great, don’t they?
“In my opinion,” objected Bazarov. “Raphael is not worth a penny, and they are no better than him.”
- Bravo! Bravo! Listen, Arkady... this is how modern young people should express themselves! And how, do you think, they won’t follow you! Previously, young people had to study; They didn’t want to be branded as ignorant, so they toiled unwillingly. And now they should say: everything in the world is nonsense! - and the trick is in the bag. The young people were delighted. And in fact, before they were just idiots, but now they suddenly became nihilists.
“So your vaunted sense of self-esteem has betrayed you,” Bazarov remarked phlegmatically, while Arkady flushed all over and his eyes sparkled. “Our dispute has gone too far... It seems it’s better to stop it.” “And then I will be ready to agree with you,” he added, standing up, “when you present me with at least one resolution in our modern life, in the family or in society, that would not cause complete and merciless denial.
“I’ll present you with millions of such decisions,” exclaimed Pavel Petrovich, “millions!” Yes, at least the community, for example.
A cold smile curled Bazarov’s lips.
“Well, about the community,” he said, “you’d better talk to your brother.” He now seems to have experienced in practice what a community, mutual responsibility, sobriety and similar things are.
- Family at last, family, the way it exists among our peasants! - Pavel Petrovich shouted.
“And I think it’s better for you not to go into detail about this question.” Have you ever heard of daughters-in-law? Listen to me, Pavel Petrovich, give yourself a couple of days, you’ll hardly find anything right away. Go through all our classes and think carefully about each one, while Arkady and I...
“We should mock everyone,” picked up Pavel Petrovich.
- No, cut frogs. Let's go, Arkady; goodbye, gentlemen.
Both friends left. The brothers were left alone and at first they only looked at each other.
“Here,” Pavel Petrovich finally began, “here are the youth of today!” These are our heirs!
“Heirs,” repeated Nikolai Petrovich with a sad sigh. Throughout the entire argument, he sat as if on coals and only furtively glanced painfully at Arkady. - Do you know what I remembered, brother? Once I quarreled with my late mother: she screamed, did not want to listen to me... I finally told her that you, they say, cannot understand me; We supposedly belong to two different generations. She was terribly offended, and I thought: what should I do? The pill is bitter - but you have to swallow it. Now it’s our turn, and our heirs can tell us: you’re not of our generation, swallow the pill.
“You are already too complacent and modest,” objected Pavel Petrovich, “on the contrary, I am sure that you and I are much more right than these gentlemen, although we express ourselves, perhaps, in a somewhat outdated language, vieilh, and do not have that daring arrogance ... And these current youth are so inflated! You ask someone else: what kind of wine do you want, red or white? "I have a habit of preferring red!" - he answers in a deep voice and with such an important face, as if the whole universe is looking at him at this moment...
- Would you like some more tea? - said Fenechka, sticking her head through the door: she did not dare to enter the living room while the voices of those arguing were heard in it.
“No, you can order the samovar to be taken,” answered Nikolai Petrovich and rose to meet her. Pavel Petrovich abruptly told him: bon soir (good evening (French).), and went to his office."

Differences in views on life between the liberal P.P. Kirsanov and the nihilist E. Bazarov lead to constant clashes between them. They argue about many pressing issues of the time. As a result, we see their attitude to the social system, the nobility, the people, religion, and art. Pavel Petrovich is forced to admit that not everything is in order in society. For Bazarov, petty accusations are not enough if the foundations are rotten. “Correct society,” is the only benefit he sees in this. Kirsanov’s answer: “We value civilization. Its fruits are dear to us...” This means that this person is not going to change anything. Unlike aristocrats, whose main occupation is “doing nothing,” nihilists are not inclined to engage in empty talk. Activity is their main goal. But what kind of activity? The youth came to destroy and expose, and someone else should do the building. “First we need to clear the place,” says Bazarov. No less important is the dispute between the heroes about the Russian people. Pavel Petrovich is touched by his religiosity and patriarchy, backwardness and traditionalism. Bazarov, on the contrary, despises the peasant for his ignorance, believes that “the grossest superstition is strangling the country.” At the same time, Kirsanov is dismissive of ordinary people: when talking to peasants, he “wrinkles and sniffs cologne.” Bazarov is proud that he knows how to speak with the people, and his “grandfather plowed the land.” Serious differences between “fathers” and “sons” are also found in their attitude towards art and nature. Pavel Petrovich does not shy away from spiritual life and culture. He is irritated by Bazarov's denial of everything that has no practical meaning. For Bazarov, “reading Pushkin is a waste of time, playing music is ridiculous, enjoying nature is absurd.” He believes that art softens the soul and distracts from business. Kirsanov, realizing that he cannot defeat the nihilist in an argument, resorts to the last method of solving the problem - a duel. Ironically depicting the fight, Turgenev emphasizes the absurdity of Pavel Petrovich’s behavior, the inconsistency of his belief that by force it is possible to force the generation of “children” to think the same way as the generation of “fathers”. Kirsanov and Bazarov each remain with their own opinion. There was no winner in this confrontation between the nihilist and the aristocrat. The ending of the novel emphasizes the lifelessness of the ideas of both heroes. Pavel Petrovich leaves for Dresden, where he continues to lead an aristocratic lifestyle, realizing that a completely different time is coming in Russia. Bazarov goes to the village to visit his parents, admitting the inconsistency of his views. Thus, in the novel “Fathers and Sons” I.S. Turgenev showed the ideological struggle of two generations, the struggle of the old world becoming obsolete and the new world being born. We see that the principles and ideals of the “fathers” are becoming a thing of the past, but the younger generation, armed with the ideas of nihilism, is not able to ensure the future of Russia, because before destroying, you need to know what to build. Under no circumstances should the experience of predecessors be discarded. A strong thread must connect one generation to another, only then is movement forward possible.

About times and customs Turgenev I.S. described in his novel the clashes of interests of the younger and older generations, “Fathers and Sons.” The work is full of pressing and relevant questions both in those times and in our modern world. From century to century, generations of different times are irreconcilable in their views. It is possible that at one time Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov (the hero of the novel) also opposed the “fathers” of his youth, just as at the time of the work he could not understand the views of Yevgeny Bazarov (another of the important characters of the “children”)

Kirsanov is an aristocratic, well-groomed man, maintained in a liberal style. His family has traditions, a developed thirst for beauty, morality, respect, and the education of ethics.

Bazarov is attractive and strict, cold-blooded (initially), and devotes all his energy to work and self-improvement. He is hopelessly fascinated by science and thoughts about beauty are alien to him - they do not concern a nihilist. Evgeny considers romance nonsense.

Through long conversations between Evgeniy and Pavel Petrovich, the author perfectly showed the difference in views and complete misunderstanding of how one can live with such views on life. The interlocutors deny each other’s worldview, but at the same time there are a lot of similarities between them. Two characters have strong willpower, have a certain, specifically masculine character, and are able to explain and defend their opinion. Both love conversations and discussions on topics not related to personal matters. And both, while reasoning, do not take certain steps towards action, in other words, their speech and desires differ from their behavior in public.

The picture of the world in Evgeny’s eyes changes radically after he realizes the feeling of attraction to Anna Odintsova. Now Bazarov begins to understand Pavel Petrovich’s impulses in explaining why it is impossible to be a full-fledged person without feeling in love. Here the author reveals the one-sidedness and superficiality of the mind, in proving his and only his rightness, by the way, independent of age and time. In the same way, Bazarov could have conflictual conversations with his peer (anyone), but with someone who already loved and (God willing) was loved. Young people simply could not understand each other. In Bazarov’s theory, if he closes his eyes, everything is dark and he is right and his point of view is correct, like no other, however, like Pavel Petrovich’s theory.

In this situation (in the theme of the novel itself), it is ethical education that is involved. Evgeny is drawn to science, Pavel Petrovich understands that without spiritual development, human society will decline mentally, however, the modern world of the novel is filled with the young generation, following Bazarov in their thoughts, which is also shown in the character of Anna, who, alas, has never comprehended the wisdom of love, which The same cannot be said about Evgeniy.

Following the fashionable liberal trend in immature young minds in the 19th century gave great resonance and was reflected in Russian culture and literature as well. The concept of ethics and the perception of beauty was distorted, one might say simplified to the realization of the goal of developing science and comfort, but not feelings, for the rights and existence of which Pavel Petrovich fought. However, it is still unlikely to build a new system on the decline of the old one in theory only in words. After all, it is the feeling factor that defines a person as a person, as a living separate species, not of a primitive being, but of a thinking, feeling, compassionate one.

The immaturity of thoughts and actions is perfectly and clearly expressed in one of the dialogues, when Pavel Petrovich conveys to Evgeniy that breaking the system is easy, but building it is another matter, to which Evgeniy brushes off the phrase “That’s your business.” It is shown here that subconsciously the younger generation, nevertheless, realizes for themselves that the “fathers” can fix everything for them... if only there was time to fix it.

In the novel by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev one can find examples of a variety of relationships between the characters: romantic, platonic, family, friendly and hostile. Evgeny Bazarov is a very controversial person, arousing the love of some and the hatred of others. His relationship with Pavel Petrovich, his uncle - a friend of Evgeniy, who invited him to stay at the Kirsanov family estate during the holidays) is especially interesting, since these seemingly complete opposites are not so clearly antagonistic.

The dispute between Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich reveals new facets of each person's personality. Read in detail about the characteristics of the characters of the two heroes and their relationships in this article.

Pavel Petrovich - proud military man

At first glance, one can discern a proud man in Pavel Petrovich. Even his costume reflects this. When the hero first appears before the reader, the narrator notes that he had long, neat nails, that, although he is no longer young, he still remains an attractive man, and that Pavel Petrovich behaves with the same aristocratic elegance. And how interesting are the disputes between Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich! The “table” of their relationships includes contrasts even in appearance.

What are Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich arguing about?

While the narrator notices these striking details, Bazarov immediately recognizes in Pavel Petrovich a man who thinks too much of himself. In the eyes of Evgeny Vasilyevich, his pride is unfounded and absurd. The dispute between Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich, their confrontation, thus begins with the very acquaintance of the characters.

As we learn a little more about this retired military man's background, we begin to better understand why he behaves the way he does. This military man was the beloved son of General Kirsanov and, in contrast to his brother Nikolai, was always a man of action. By the age of twenty-seven, Pyotr Petrovich was already a captain in the Russian army. He knew how to behave in high society and was popular with women. Thus, Pavel Petrovich from a young age was accustomed to respect and admiration.

The rude young Bazarov was destined from the very beginning to become this man's antagonist. They were united by extreme vanity, and, even without taking into account the fact that the opinions of the two heroes differed on everything, each saw a threat to himself in the image of the other. From Bazarov's point of view, Pavel Petrovich is a proud old man, into whom he himself may one day turn. In the eyes of the aristocrat, the young man was an arrogant upstart who had not yet earned the right to be so self-confident. Even before Pavel Petrovich knew anything about Bazarov, he began to dislike him because of his sloppy appearance and too long hair.

After Arkady discovered that Bazarov is a nihilist and informed his uncle about this, Pavel Petrovich has a clue that can be used to justify his hostility towards his guest. The nephew tries to argue, saying that a nihilist is one who critically evaluates all things, but Pavel Petrovich rejects this philosophy as a new fad of young people who do not recognize any authorities.

He compares this way of thinking with unsuccessful examples from history, in particular with the ideas of supporters of Hegelian logic, and with the manner of a connoisseur he says to Arkady: “Let us see how you will exist in emptiness, in Paul appeals to his experience and wisdom and speaks as if he already knows in advance that nihilism is a deeply flawed philosophy of youth.

A dispute about principles. Views of Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov

When Pavel Petrovich involves Bazarov in a dispute, he appeals to the English value system. The main idea of ​​this aristocrat: “... that without self-esteem, without self-respect - and in an aristocrat these feelings are developed - there is no solid foundation for a social... bien public, a public building.” Thus, the retired military man associates with aristocratic values, gradually developing this idea. This is how the dispute between Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich continues.

On the other hand, in the discussion he gradually moves on to the absurdity of the existence of those who have no principles, and presents his opponent with a whole set of principles from high society, which he considers indisputable. Although Pavel Petrovich might have denied this, for him it is still important not just the presence or absence of values ​​as such. What is more important is the presence or absence of aristocratic values. This is what Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich are arguing about.

As the plot develops, both the shortcomings and advantages of this aristocrat emerge clearly. His military pride forces him to challenge Bazarov in the form of a duel, which ends in a complete fiasco for Pavel Petrovich.

It's not just that the old aristocrat gets injured, but that he had to explain to everyone that it was his fault.

However, the military man's assertion that a person cannot live without values ​​and his sense of self-respect are ultimately justified. We recognize this mainly by the isolation and confusion to which Bazarov’s attempts to find his place in the world lead. Arkady, who was not endowed with such a strong will, but at the same time was not so devoted to traditional values, arranges his life quite happily. Almost without remembering himself, Evgeniy follows the path of a retired military man and becomes entangled in his failed love. The dispute between Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich seems somewhat absurd at this moment, because the life lines of the heroes and their behavior turn out to be so similar...

The story of Pavel Petrovich

When Bazarov begins to laugh at Pavel Petrovich, Arkady decides to tell him the story of his uncle, in the hope that this story will evoke sympathy in his friend. We learn that unsuccessful love played a big role in the life of Pavel Petrovich. He fell head over heels in love with a mysterious woman named Princess R. Pavel Petrovich courted her and after he achieved, his obsession with the princess only increased.

Scorned Lover

When his lover ran away from Pavel and her family, Pavel resigned and followed her. He was ashamed of his behavior, but her image sank into Pavel Petrovich’s soul too much, and he could not get it out of his head. It is not clear what exactly attracted the military princess R. Perhaps because of her mystery, the fact that she could not be fully understood or conquered.

In Baden, Pavel Petrovich managed to meet her, but a few months later the princess ran away again. After this, he returned to Russia and did his best to play his former role in society, although he did so without the same enthusiasm. After Pavel Petrovich heard that the princess died in Paris in a state close to madness, he gradually lost interest in life and stopped doing anything.

The Irony of Fate

Bazarov did not like this story. He believed that it was unmanly to give up after being defeated on the love front, and suggested that Paul spends the rest of his days teaching young people, and cannot do anything worthwhile with his own life.

By an evil irony of fate, Bazarov subsequently, like a former military man, becomes obsessed with Anna Sergeevna and cannot cope with this feeling and accept the fact that he was rejected.

However, Bazarov’s disputes with Pavel Petrovich do not stop there. Who is right?

Hidden motives

When we meet Pavel Petrovich, the narrator describes him as follows: “A lonely bachelor, he was entering that vague, twilight time, a time of regrets similar to hopes, and hopes similar to regrets, when youth had passed and old age had not yet come.” The vague feeling of despair that possessed the hero can explain many of his actions. It also explains why he clung so desperately to his pride and his family, since there was nothing else to cling to.

As the story progresses, we are shown a softer side of the elderly aristocrat. Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich, the dispute between whom never stopped, were certainly enemies. However, the real reason for his duel with Bazarov was that he wanted to defend his brother's honor, not his own. His last wish was for Nikolai to marry Fenechka and be happy.

Although Paul was not able to achieve his own happiness, he tries to make those around him happy. The hero lives the life of his brother, but still cannot forget the betrayal of Princess R. and become happy. He does not choose to be unhappy, he simply cannot do otherwise.

The attractiveness of Bazarov

The strength and weakness of Bazarov’s position in the dispute with Pavel Petrovich are present simultaneously. It's easy to condemn Evgeniy. He thinks he is better than everyone. He's rude. Eugene does not recognize any of those things that fill our lives with meaning (love, for example). Bazarov's disputes with Pavel Petrovich sometimes cause bewilderment. At times, Evgeniy is so stubborn that he is completely unable to admit that he is wrong. But still...

Bazarov inspires. We first see him through the admiring eyes of Arkady, and later we learn that his friend is just one of his students. As soon as these two move away from each other, we begin to see Bazarov in a more objective light, to see in him a born leader. He is a powerful, dignified person. When Evgeny Vasilyevich says to Pavel Petrovich: “In the present time, denial is most useful - we deny,” the reader cannot help but succumb to the power of these words and this personality.

This topic is discussed in great detail in the dispute between Evgeny Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich. The topics of their disputes cannot be covered in one article. We recommend turning to the original source for a deeper understanding. The lines of dispute between Evgeny Bazarov and Pavel Kirsanov, thus, can be continued.

Final scene

Turgenev himself admired Bazarov's strong, almost magnetic personality. He admitted that he cried when he described the scene of Yevgeny Vasilyevich’s death. Bazarov's character is fully revealed in this final scene. He's not just an arrogant young upstart. This man was truly talented and wanted to do something great in life.

Looking into his past, Bazarov thinks: “And I also thought: I’ll screw up a lot of things, I won’t die, no matter what! There is a task, because I’m a giant!” Although he does not show the fear of death, yet its approach makes Eugene feel his own insignificance, and not just talk about it. However, it is ultimately the fact that Bazarov shows no remorse that makes his character so compelling. Evgeny is the embodiment of daring youth with its illusion that we will never die. After all, why should we die?

Is there any benefit to denial?

When Fathers and Sons was first published in 1862, Turgenev was severely criticized by the younger generation because they believed that Bazarov's character was a parody of themselves. Of course, Ivan Sergeevich did not have such an intention when creating the work, but at times Evgeniy really resembles a parody, but not of youth in general, but of himself. I can’t help but remember the witticism of a retired military man directed at him: “He doesn’t believe in principles, but he believes in frogs.” Evgeny Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov reveal both their strengths and weaknesses in an ideological dispute.

Bazarov has a complex character. It is impossible to put forward a simple argument against him, but Eugene was deeply mistaken. Perhaps it is his shortcomings that do not make the character of this young nihilist so interesting and convincing.

Dispute of generations: Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov

In his novel “Fathers and Sons,” I. S. Turgenev was able to reflect the contradictions that arose in society on the eve of the fall of serfdom, including the aggravation of the class struggle in the country. In the disputes and clashes between the two heroes of the novel - Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov and Evgeny Bazarov, Turgenev embodied the main conflict of the “fathers.” and “children,” which, outlined at the beginning of the work, gradually deepens and develops from a conflict of generations into a conflict of different social forces: the noble intelligentsia (Kirsanov) and the new class of revolutionary democrats (Bazarov).
Despite the disputes and clashes, the characters of Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich have much in common. The strong traits of their personalities make these people stand out from the rather gray mass of those around them. Perhaps this is why they are confident in the correctness of their beliefs and know how to defend them without succumbing to the influence of others.
On the pages of the novel, people who have different, sometimes opposing opinions on various issues collide, and we understand that they will never agree, since everyone’s boundless pride, “satanic pride” does not allow them to agree with the views of their opponent, and mutual enmity (rejection not only each other’s beliefs, but often also personal characteristics) deepens this conflict.
The difference in the social status of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov and Evgeny Bazarov leaves its mark not only on the appearance of the characters, but also on their manner of behavior and speech.
A commoner by birth (the son of a regimental doctor), Bazarov is a principled opponent of the entire nobility, the concepts of noble society, and especially romantic, liberal idealism. He is a nihilist, which means that he does not take anything for granted, for him there are no recognized authorities: “We act by virtue of what we recognize as useful... At the present time, denial is most useful - we deny.” Poetry and art, according to Eugene, are useless pursuits, so he rejects them without a second thought. His attitude towards nature is also peculiar, which for him is devoid of romantic mystery and mystery: “Nature is not a temple, but a workshop, and man is a worker in it.” Bazarov wants to test everything in the world experimentally, trusting only reason and experiment, rejecting feelings, so he often says things that are not only unpleasant, but also offensive to others.
Infinitely believing in science, which, it seems to him, will help a person penetrate into all the secrets of life, Bazarov believes that personal differences between people are the same “rottenness and artistry” as art, “romanticism”: “All people fight against each other they are similar in body and soul, and the so-called moral qualities are the same for everyone: small modifications mean nothing. One human specimen is enough to judge all others.” And in this he contradicts himself, because he strives to establish himself as an individual, unlike others.
Proud of the fact that he understands the people and knows how to talk with men, Bazarov at the same time speaks harshly about the people, pointing out their conservatism, ignorance, and laziness.
Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is a nobleman, he is an aristocrat, a former “socialite”, who in his youth made a brilliant career as an officer, but subsequently ruined his life because of his unhappy love for the frivolous princess R. In the image of this hero, Turgenev embodied the best features of the Russian nobility: decency , honesty, high culture. Kirsanov Sr. pays a lot of attention to his appearance: even in the village he is dressed in the latest fashion.
Pavel Petrovich loves the people, “always stands up for the peasants,” glorifies the peasant family, religiosity, patriarchy, but he is alien to the people, does not know how to communicate with men who do not understand him, shun him, feel that he is a “master” (and they are right).
According to Pavel Petrovich, the aristocracy is the driving force of society, only it has the power to change the life of Russia through reforms. Putting traditions above all else, he states: “We are people of the old century, we believe that without principles... you can’t take a step, you can’t take a breath.” Bazarov sharply ridicules Kirsanov’s “principles” and authorities, since he does not see any benefit in aristocrats. He also opposes chatter and liberal denunciation: “Chattering, just chatting about our ulcers is not worth the trouble.” Denying empty terminology and outdated dogmas of “lordly” culture, Bazarov stands for intervention in an imperfect life, and not for removing it from it into the shadow of lofty discussions about self-
respect and self-esteem: “So you respect yourself and sit back; What benefit does this have for society? You wouldn’t respect yourself and do the same thing.”
And yet, laughing at Pavel Petrovich’s beliefs, Bazarov, in my opinion, has little to oppose them with. He acts as a destroyer, preparing the ground for the new, but he does not know who will build this new thing.
And Kirsanov, hating Bazarov’s entire style of behavior, his swagger, disrespect for authority, still understands that the time of the “fathers” is already passing, and it is being replaced by something new, progressive.
Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” not only reflected an entire era in the life of Russia with all its conflicts and
achievements, but also drew the attention of his contemporaries to the need for changes in RUSSIAN society. The significance of the novel is that it has not lost its relevance to this day due to the vivid display of the conflict between “children” and “fathers”, who will argue with each other, probably at all times.

Plan

1. The clash of interests of two generations in I. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons”

2. Comparative characteristics of Bazarov and Kirsanov

3. Antagonists or possible allies?

Ivan Turgenev presented two opposing ideologies of the mid-19th century in his novel Fathers and Sons. He put them into the mouths of Evgeny Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. In the novel, they look like two bitter opponents, constantly arguing with each other. In order to understand the actions of these heroes, let us present a comparative description of the so-called “antagonists”.

Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov is the eldest of the brothers, a hereditary nobleman, a real aristocrat. He is smart, educated, but somewhat principled, honest, noble, but proud. He spent the best years of his life loving a woman who did not bring him happiness. Living in the village with his brother Nikolai, he still cleans his suit and irons his white collars, takes care of his hair and takes care of his nails. In general, he behaves in accordance with his status. Respects art, loves music and believes in the people.

Evgeny Bazarov is a commoner, the son of a doctor. He studies natural sciences. I came to the village to visit Kirsanov with his son Arkady. Bazarov is kind, but behaves cheekily and proudly. He does not recognize any spiritual world, laughs at the generation of nobles, believing that it has already outlived its usefulness. Evgeny speaks sharply about love, about art: “...This is all romanticism, nonsense, rot, art...” But unexpectedly for himself, he falls in love with Anna Odintsova and fails in the relationship.

Yes, Turgenev’s heroes are opposed to each other in everything. What Kirsanov accepts, Bazarov rejects. Pavel Petrovich does not understand the nihilism that Evgeniy preaches. He believes that materialism, which is precisely the basis of nihilism, “... has always proved untenable.” Bazarov believes only in what brings real benefit. He is a pure practitioner, therefore he recognizes the nobility as a class as useless. He does not believe in the people, because he considers them illiterate and unenlightened, dark. While Kirsanov Sr. respects the patriarchal way of life of the peasants, realizing that they live according to the behests of their ancestors.

There is much that separates Bazarov and Kirsanov in their ideological views: one is a conservative, the other is a representative of progressive youth. But both of them are self-confident, strong in character, honest, people devoted to their beliefs. And both suffered because of love. Perhaps they could become allies if they did not cling to the principles of an ideology that is not always justified.