Turgenov's Fathers and Sons has several characters who hold strong views of the world.
Pavel believes that Russia needs structure from such things as institution, religion, and
class hierarchy. Madame Odintsov views the world as simple so long as she keeps it
systematic and free from interference. This essay will focus on perhaps the most
interesting and complex character in Fathers and Sons: Bazarov. Vladimir Nabakov writes
that "Turgenov takes his creature [B] out of a self-imposed pattern and places him in the
the normal world of chance." By examining Bazarov this essay will make this statement
more clear to the reader. Using nihilism as a starting point we shall look at Bazarov's
views and interpretations of science, government and institution. Next we will turn to
the issue relationships. Finally we examine Bazarov's death and the stunning truths it
reveals. These issues combined with the theme of nihilism will prove that chance, or
fate is a strong force which cannot easily be negated.
Nihilism as a concept is used throughout Fathers and Sons. To gain a better
understanding of the ideas behind this term let's look at what Bazarov says on the
subject. "We base our conduct on what we recognize as useful... the most useful thing we
can do is to repudiate ?Eand so we repudiate" (123). The base concept of nihilism is to
deny or negate, and as we learn later in the same paragraph, to negate everything. With
this 'destruction?Eof everything from science to art there is no building for nihilists,
as Bazarov says "That is not our affair" (126). Nihilists view the current structure of
society as concerned with such trivialties as 'art?Eand 'parliamentism?Ewhile ignoring
real life issues such as food, freedom, and equally. Nihilists are aware of these social
woes and hence mentally deny to recognize any of the present authority or institutions
which only serve to perpetuate a myth. Bazarov agrees with the statement that nihilism
"confine[s] [oneself] to abuse" (126).
"... I don't believe in anything: and what is science-science in the abstract? There
are sciences as there are trades and professions, but abstract science just doesn't
exist" (98). For Bazarov anything that is not tangible and concrete doesn't exist.
Psychology, quantum mechanics, neurochemistry would be scoffed at by Bazarov. It seems
peculiar that Bazarov would say, "... nowadays we laugh at medicine in general, and
worship no one," (197) while at the same time he pursues a career as a doctor. The
medicine that Bazarov uses deals in the 'pure sciences?E that is his ideas comes from
practice not theory. By looking closer at Bazarov we discover that his work confirms his
nihilistic ideas. To explain, one only need look at Bazarov's main focus; the dissection
of frogs. Each time he pokes around the anatomy of a frog he notices they all have
similar structures (heart, liver, intestine's etc). Humans also share a common internal
anatomy. Abstract concepts like authority, religion or science to not naturally exist
within people and are only made 'real?Eby others. Bazarov knows this and his studies
confirm his rebellious attitude. Bazarov says, "All men are similar, in soul as well as
in body ... and the so-called moral qualities are the same in all of us" (160).
As with general science Bazarov feels nothing towards art. "... You assume that I have
no feeling for art ?Eand it is true, I haven't" (159). Art is trivial to Bazarov and
accomplishes nothing, therefore he doesn't recognize it. It is the same with nature,
"Bazarov was rather indifferent to the beauties of nature" (169). There is a saying,
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." What if the beholder has no eye for beauty?
Such is the case with Bazarov. The point for Bazarov is that aesthetics in art and
nature only serve to divert attention from pressing issues such as corruption in society
and structural change. These are what concerns a nihilists, not the latest prose from
Pushkin or painting from Alexander.
Institutions such as education, government and established authority are scorned by
Bazarov. "Everyone ought to educate himself" (105). Since indoctrination of the
established society begins with education, a nihilist should view education from behind
the barrel of a shotgun. Logic is of no use Bazarov, "You don't need logic, I suppose,
to put a piece of bread in your mouth" (123). The nihilist agenda, that is, the need for
tearing down of structure is beyond logic and is as necessary as eating or breathing. In
addition Bazarov believes that what is preached by politicians and so-called leaders is
itself without logic. "Aristocraticism, liberalism, progress, principles ?Ethink of it,
what a lot of foreign words ... and useless words!" (123). It is easy for Bazarov to
give no credence and thus negate the things which government deems important in society.
He sees irrelevance in much of what is said and done by leaders and Bazarov believes that
real issues are being avoided. "We saw that our clever men, our so-called progressives
and reformers never accomplished anything, that we were concerning ourselves with alot of
nonsense, discussing art, unconscious creative work, parliamentarianism, the bar, and the
devil knows what, while all the time the real question was getting daily bread to eat ...
when our industrial enterprises come to grief solely for want of honest man at the top"
(126).
Bazarov's nihilistic nature is a product of the corruption he sees in is nation.
Bazarov could choose to live his life and pretend not to be aware of the evils around
him. Instead he chooses to be a destroyer of structure, a nihilist in every sense and
every thought. He finds himself in a world which he despises and discovers he must deny
everything which results from this world. However, Bazarov's self-imposed nihilism,
which gives him the power to negate, is challenged by something we are all subjects
to-chance.
When Bazarov meets Madame Odintsov we notice distress within our hero. Up to this point
Bazarov has maintained his somewhat icy composure and easily passed the tests of his
nihilist convictions. But now, chance deals Bazarov a new hand. By befriending Anna
Odintsov Bazarov comes up against feelings which he tries desperately to defeat. In the
early stages he feels inspired and this feeling "tortured and maddened him" (169).
Later, sometimes unaware, Bazarov has fantasies wherin his lust for Anna O is quite
clear. Bazarov finds that despite his strength in other matters her is overwhelmed and
consumed by these 'shameful?Ethoughts. Bazarov would "stamp his feet or grind his teeth
and shake his fist at himself" (170). Even after all his teeth grinding and fist
shaking, Bazarov cannot seem to cast off his growing passion. "He was breathing heavily;
his whole body trembled" (182). It is interesting to watch this fight between Bazarov's
deeply held views of nihilism versus (what Bazarov would call) a trivial and ambiguous
entity - passionate love. This situation between Bazarov and Anna would have been
scoffed at by Bazarov himself, had another been in his place. Eventually the "passion
struggling in him, violent and painful" (182) is too much for Bazarov to take and he
gives into this 'passionate fury?E This proves that even a nihilist, who heeds no
authority, institution, or social conventions and follows no rules, cannot negate the
power of love.
Life is itself without rules. It is the random, somewhat chaotic nature of life which
makes convention attractive. Bazarov sees life for what it is and would rather take his
chances with the 'chaotic?E undefined world than live by rules, norms and standards
imposed by others. Bazarov calls conventional methods of living 'gliding along the
rails?E Bazarov lives at the edge of an abyss and he uses no railing for support. For
this reason, Bazarov is a stronger man than most, as he has only himself to turn to. He
sees corruption and scandel in many of the structures and fights to tear these down. It
is hard for Bazarov to do this alone for nihilism is a "bitter, harsh, lonely existence"
(271). What is needed is more strong men like Bazarov to help tear down the
institutions. Chance, however finds Bazarov in a time which cannot appreciate his ideas.
It is too early and the people have yet to uncover their eyes, and cannot see what is
systematically removing their souls.
Bazarov's gradual demise is foreshadowed by the peasants when "Bazarov the
self-confident did not for a moment, suspect that in their eyes he was nothing but a
buffoon" (276). Bazarov's nihilistic ideas do not seem to reside anywhere but in
himself. He seems to realize that Russia is not ready to accept his ideas and meets fate
with unusual acceptance. When Bazarov becomes infected with typhus he doesn't stamp his
feet or grind his teeth, he merely says, "It's a fortuitous circumstance, and, to tell
you the truth, a very unpleasant one" (281). It's of little use for Bazarov to deceive
himself into thinking he can negate fate. "Yes, just try and set death aside. It sets
you aside, and thats the end of it!" (283). Bazarov, the great nihilist of Russia
encounters the strongest negation of all ?Edeath.
Nihilism as an idea has the potential to create alot of change. By relinquishing all
forms of authority, institution and convention of value so that subordination, normality,
rules and laws no longer exist, would cause a radically different perception of social
conduct and responsibility. Bazarov, by being a nihilist, brings this into existence.
Negation, however does have its limits. As Bazarov discovers, there are some things
which defy negation. If by chance one falls in love, the sword of negation meets heavy
armor. The strength of a nihilist resides in his or her mind. The action potential is
in the strength of conviction to these principles. But the overall power of ones ability
to destroy is in no way a match for the supremacy of fate ?Enegation in the form of
death.
|