Fathers and Sons

by

Ivan Turgenev

Fathers and Sons: Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Bazarov wakes early the next morning and heads outdoors, thinking, “This isn’t much of a place.” The land surrounding the manor-house is barren, with poor trees and brackish water. Bazarov heads to a swamp to search for frogs, telling an inquisitive farm boy (Bazarov had “a special faculty for winning the confidence of the lower orders”) that he intends to dissect the frogs. Since humans are similar to frogs except that humans are bipedal, he explains, the frog’s insides will reveal a lot about humans’ insides, too.
Bazarov continues to make fairly sweeping assessments of his hosts’ lifestyle. He relates more easily to “the lower orders” than to people of the upper classes—or at least likes to believe that he does. His interest in frogs reveals a lot about his overall philosophy, namely that much of what makes humans tick can be determined through scientific inquiry.
Themes
Nature vs. Materialism Theme Icon
Meanwhile, Nikolai and Arkady sit on the terrace for morning tea. A little girl servant reports that Fedosya Nikolayevna is too ill to come to the table. As Nikolai serves his son tea, Arkady looks at him questioningly and finally ventures to ask if Fenichka won’t come because he is there. Nikolai admits that Fenichka probably feels ashamed. Arkady says that Fenichka has no reason to feel that way, both because of Arkady’s views (he “much enjoyed saying this”), and because Arkady would never dream of interfering with the ways of the household. If his father cares for Fenichka, then she must be worthy of that esteem. By the time he finishes this “lecture,” Arkady feels more confident and even “magnanimous.”
Arkady has another opportunity to display his broad-mindedness as he attempts again to put his father’s mind at ease about Fenichka. Arkady is aware that he’s taking a somewhat arrogant position toward his father, but the sense of superiority is enjoyable, too. The clash consists in the fact that, even though it’s obvious to everyone that Nikolai has taken Fenichka as his lover, he feels greater reserve is appropriate; Arkady, meanwhile, thinks it’s kinder to reject such superficial proprieties and talk about everything in the open.
Themes
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Nikolai admits that Fenichka is no “passing fancy” for him, but that it’s still awkward for her to appear. Arkady jumps up, feeling “generous” as he offers to approach Fenichka instead. Nikolai tries to stop him, but Arkady, not listening, rushes inside. Nikolai’s heart pounds, and he vaguely realizes “the inevitable strangeness of his future relations” with Arkady.
Arkady takes matters into his own hands, overriding his father’s protests. Arkady’s seizing this kind of initiative is embarrassing for Nikolai and decisively demonstrates that things won’t be the same between the two of them.
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Arkady reappears in triumph, having introduced himself to Fenichka. He embraces Nikolai happily, saying that Nikolai should have told him that he had a brother. Just then Pavel, wearing an elegant English suit, joins them on the terrace, to the relief of both men.
Even though Arkady greets the revelation of his new brother with joy, it’s clearly an awkward moment for both of them, which Pavel’s appearance thankfully disrupts.
Themes
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As Pavel begins buttering his bread, he questions Arkady about Bazarov. Arkady explains that Bazarov’s family lives on an estate 60 miles away, in the same province; his father is an army doctor. Pavel asks what Bazarov does. Rather triumphantly, Arkady declares, “He is a nihilist!” “A what?” Pavel asks, his butter knife poised in the air.
Arkady’s revelation of Bazarov’s unusual “profession” startlingly disrupts the traditional family breakfast, in keeping with nihilism’s focus on undermining traditional structures.
Themes
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Quotes
Nikolai observes that “nihilist” comes from the Latin nihil, “nothing,” which means that a nihilist must “recognize nothing.” Arkady interjects that, rather, a nihilist “looks at everything critically […] does not take any principle for granted, however much that principle may be revered.”
Nihilism was a cutting-edge philosophy in Russia in the early 1860s, something that only radical university students would have likely talked about—so it’s not surprising that even well-read Nikolai would be caught unawares. Arkady tries to explain that nihilism doesn’t literally reject everything; it just takes no principle for granted.
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Pavel asks whether such an attitude is a good thing, and Arkady explains that it depends on the person—“it’s good in some cases and very bad in others.” Pavel replies that, from the perspective of the older generations, life without principles is impossible. “It used to be Hegelians,” he says, “and now there are nihilists. We shall see how you manage to exist in a void, in an airless vacuum.”
Pavel thinks he’s seen all this before; earlier in the 18th century, Hegelianism, G. W. F. Hegel’s attempt to express all reality in rational categories, had been all the rage in European universities. He sees nihilism as another intellectual fad that won’t last very long—one that’s uniquely untenable for life.
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When Pavel summons a servant to bring his cocoa, Fenichka appears instead. She is about 23 years old, neatly dressed, and somewhat delicate- and childish-looking. She clearly feels embarrassed as she serves the cocoa and quickly leaves after greeting the three men. They eat in silence for a while.
Though Bazarov has been a disruptive presence in the family’s life, the same is true of Fenichka, in a way—it’s just that the men have made peace with euphemisms surrounding her presence there. Arkady’s frankness, presumptuous as it was, at least helps bring their “irregular” relationship into the open.
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Love vs. Nihilism Theme Icon
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Soon Pavel says, “Here is Monsieur Nihilist.” Bazarov appears, splattered with mud and carrying a wiggling sack. To Pavel’s inquiry, Bazarov explains that the sack contains frogs for experiments. After Bazarov leaves, Pavel observes sarcastically, “He has no faith in principles, only frogs.” Arkady looks at his uncle pityingly.
Bazarov’s surprising and rather uncouth appearance amidst the well-mannered breakfast party is symbolic of his rejection of norms. Pavel’s antipathy for him is apparent, as is Arkady’s condescending view of his elders.
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