The two sons are schoolmates at university and they believe in nothing of the established order – family, religion, customs, any established authority. This novel introduced the term nihilism into modern culture. It’s not enough for the two sons who are radicals at that time – essentially nihilists. The fathers of course are old school, traditional Slavophiles, even though they have both recently adopted some changes that give their serfs some more liberties, such as making some of them wage laborers. We are told in the introduction that the author deliberately set the time frame of the novel in 1859, shortly before the emancipation of the serfs in 1861. Written in 1862, Wikipedia suggest this can be considered the “first modern Russian novel.” The plot revolves around two sons and two fathers who are meant to show political change in Russia reflecting generational differences. Regardless, his text would go on to be read by millions, outliving the Tsars themselves.Ī ‘classic’ classic.
Turgenev died in 1883 so he didn't live to see the revolution come to fruition. Whilst it undoubtedly ruffled some feathers back home, the public found Ivan's novel to be a fascinating take on the socio-political change that had started to sweep across Russia. Abroad, he was a highly respected and sought-after author and Fathers and Sons was released to great success around Europe.
Turgenev offered astute psychological insight into the conflicting parties, from the portrayal of his two young protagonists to that of their older parents and the various women that they try to court. Set in a time of conflict and social uprising, the people fought for the abolishment of serfdom and despaired at the daily inequality faced by the lower classes. Encouraging dramatic conflict between the opposing generations, Ivan Turgenev wreaks havoc in Marino, ensuring Bazarov's nihilistic and progressive political views clash spectacularly with that of the traditional Russian patriarch's. Delighted at the prospect of seeing his son, Arkady's father welcomes them both to the Marino estate. After graduating from the University of Petersburg, Arkady Kirsanov and his friend and fellow graduate, Bazarov, travel to Kirsanov's family home, eager to embark on their next adventure.
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