Conflict of generations in the novel “Fathers and Sons”
I. S. Turgenev in his novel “Fathers and Sons” raises and reveals the eternal theme of mutual misunderstanding between parents and children. In the novel, the conflict of generations is a difference in views on the cultural, political, social situation in the country in the second half of the 19th century. The mid-19th century was a time of complex and turbulent events. The government was unable to solve the problems posed to it.
The 1860s became a turning point in the history of the Russian Empire. Frequent uprisings of dissatisfied peasants forced the authorities to abolish serfdom, which divided society into two camps.
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The first camp was represented by people of the old world, the rich and the nobles. The second camp is supporters of a new era of freedom, in which people are respected and valued.
Representatives of the “fathers” generation:
- Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov,
- Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov,
- Arina Vasilievna,
- Vasily Ivanovich.
Representatives of the “children” generation:
- Evgeny Bazarov,
- Arkady Kirsanov,
- Anna Odintsova,
- Ekaterina Odintsova.
The main character of the novel, Yevgeny Bazarov, belonged to the second camp, to those who longed for change, wanted revolution. Bazarov is a nihilist, he does not recognize authorities, he laughs at generally accepted norms and values. Bazarov's ideas are shared by Arkady and Anna. However, Bazarov becomes an enemy for his close friend and for his own parents.
Bazarov appears on the first pages of the novel and immediately attracts the reader’s attention with his relaxedness, independence, directness and sharpness. When Evgeny and Arkady come to the Kirsanovs, he evokes an ambiguous attitude from those around him. The village children ask the young doctor about frogs with great interest, the servants immediately recognize him as “one of their own,” and Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov experiences an intuitive antipathy towards the hero.
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Coursework Conflict between fathers and children in Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" 470 ₽ Abstract Conflict between fathers and children in Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" 230 ₽ Test paper Conflict between fathers and children in Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" 190 ₽
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He sees him as an enemy, an ideological opponent. And someday these two people must inevitably collide. This happens very soon. Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov and Bazarov argue about literally everything - about reforms, and about nihilism, and about the attitude towards the people, and about the land. Bazarov initially answers “through gritted teeth,” reluctantly. But gradually he gets carried away, and disputes between the heroes develop into an ideological battle.
However, these disputes cannot be called disputes in which the truth is born. At the end of the novel, Bazarov reproaches his friend for his addiction to using “opposite commonplaces.” However, Evgeny himself constantly uses them in his dispute with Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. For example, Kirsanov says that it is necessary to believe in authorities and follow them - this is a common place. And Bazarov denies the reasonableness of this, but this is only “the opposite of a commonplace.” There is no truth in either Kirsanov’s judgment or Bazarov’s judgment. According to Pavel Petrovich, only empty, immoral people can live without principles. In response, Bazarov calls the principle non-Russian, an empty word and a completely useless concept. Kirsanov reproaches Evgeniy for contempt for the people. Bazarov responds by declaring that Pavel Petrovich is worthy of contempt. When Kirsanov talks about Goethe and Schiller, Bazarov claims that a chemist is more useful than a poet. However, the heroes are not at all eager to get to the bottom of the truth. For them, it is more important to establish the opposition of positions, since these are the positions of different generations. That is why the duel between Pavel Petrovich and Bazarov is symbolic in nature - neither of the opponents wants to kill. Bazarov, having wounded Pavel Petrovich, comes to treat him.
However, the conflict of generations is not limited to the relationship between Bazarov and Pavel Petrovich. Bazarov is also unfriendly with his parents, kind, hospitable people. He always tries to get away from them. This is explained by the fact that Evgeny cannot agree with their opinions and their views, and he considers it useless to argue with them, as with Kirsanov.
Generational conflict is not always determined by age. For example, Arkady in his views is closer to the “old” generation, the generation of “fathers”. He is a noble son, and was raised in the traditions of the nobility. And it is quite natural that the paths of Arkady Kirsanov and Evgeny Bazarov diverge.
Essay: The love of fathers and the love of children in the novel “Fathers and Sons” (I.S. Turgenev)
(569 words) The work “Fathers and Sons” is very relevant for its time. In the novel, the writer examined the issues that worried Russian society in the sixties of the nineteenth century. In his novel, Ivan Sergeevich demonstrated to the reader all the advantages and disadvantages of new philosophical trends. But Ivan Sergeevich also raises eternal problems: the conflict of generations, friendship and enmity, and, of course, the problem of love. Let us take a closer look at how the eternal theme of love is revealed in the novel “Fathers and Sons”.
Love in the novel acts as a measure of the viability of the characters: the test of feelings gives the truest characteristics of the characters, shows all the strength and true nature of the characters. According to the writer himself, love has a huge role in life. Of course, this is where the true meaning of existence lies.
Thus, the writer reveals the theme of love using the example of the relationship between Evgeny Bazarov and Anna Odintsova. Bazarov, being a nihilist, denied all manifestations of feelings, including love. According to the hero, love is an invention of romantics. In life there is only habit, mutual sympathy, as well as simple physical relationships between people. We can say that such an indifferent attitude of the main character to a great feeling is largely due to his attitude towards representatives of the fair half of humanity. Throughout his life, Bazarov was convinced that a woman is a creature incapable of intellectual achievements and useful work. According to the main character, women are needed only for the entertainment of men and procreation. Evgeny Bazarov did not take women seriously, noting only their physical beauty. It is easy to see that in his life the main character obeyed rationalism. However, his views changed dramatically in an instant. The writer, in order to demonstrate to the reader the absurdity of the beliefs of nihilists, makes him himself experience a great feeling of love. Evgeny Bazarov unexpectedly falls in love. A passionate feeling took possession of the main character:
“Odintsova threw out both hands, and Bazarov pressed his forehead to the window glass. He was out of breath; his whole body was noticeably trembling...”
But Anna, unlike Evgeny, really did not know how to love. She only provoked Eugene for fun. Above all feelings, she valued luxury and comfort. Therefore, their relationship did not work out. Bazarov could not come to terms with the intensity of unclaimed feelings and lost interest in life.
Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev showed the reader a completely different type of relationship using the example of Arkady and Katya. Arkady, holding nihilistic views, also had to abandon sublime feelings. However, the character's upbringing, as well as his character, took over. Arkady realizes that for him the ideal of life consists of family, children and housekeeping. Arkady is easily influenced by outsiders, and Katya became the next source of this influence. Arkady falls in love with her, and they are both happy. In his work, the author described a beautiful love scene. According to the writer, it is precisely for such bright moments that life is worth living.
“He grabbed her big, beautiful hands and, gasping with delight, pressed them to his heart,” is how the writer describes the nascent love of the characters.
Arkady could barely stand on his feet and only repeated: “Katya, Katya...”. The girl began to cry. According to the author, anyone who has not yet seen such tears in the eyes of a loved one was not truly happy in life.
Also in his work, the writer shows what a happy person in the family Arkady’s father, Nikolai, turned out to be. The hero met a simple girl Fenechka and wanted to start a family. Despite the fact that Fenechka was not a noblewoman and was old enough to be her husband’s daughter, these heroes were happy together. In the finale, they got married, despite the prejudices and condemnation of society.
Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev wanted to demonstrate to the reader that true and mutual love conquers all unimaginable prejudices. It was the feeling of love that turned the lives of the characters in Ivan Turgenev’s famous novel “Fathers and Sons” upside down. Although no, it put everything in its place and showed who is who. Thanks to this turn, the heroes rethought their views and beliefs.
Author: Victoria Komarova
A clash of views in a novel
The conflict gains its greatest development due to misunderstanding and stubbornness of two representatives of different eras and generations. Such a meeting between a liberal nobleman and a revolutionary democrat cannot pass peacefully. Bazarov wants to work for the benefit of society. And Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov cares more about personal gain. However, both heroes are energetic and very confident in defending their views and beliefs. The topics for their disputes are inexhaustible. They concern philosophy, religion, and poetry. Conversations between Kirsanov and Bazarov are conversations between people of those crucial years for the country.
Considering the conflict of generations in the novel by I. S. Turgenev, it is necessary to analyze the relationship between Arkady and Nikolai Petrovich. They are also representatives of different generations. Arkady Kirsanov is Evgeny Bazarov’s best friend and his student. Arkady wants to know nihilism and understand the theory of democracy.
Arkady's father, Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov, is an avid liberal. He is ashamed of his connection with the people. He is ashamed of his love for Fanechka. In the novel, the first generational conflict arises between Nikolai Petrovich and Arkadia. However, the love that binds father and son is much stronger than a misunderstanding of views on society. Their kinship is stronger than conviction. And over time, Arkady abandons his theory. Nikolai Petrovich also changes his views, and at the end of the work he marries Fanechka. Arkady chooses the quiet and modest Catherine as his wife. The conflict between father and son is resolved.
Note 1
The essence of Turgenev's novel is an analysis of the society of that time.
The writer shows that Eugene’s thoughts did not take root, and the conflict that arose in the family faded away without reaching a logical solution. However, at the end of the novel, during the double wedding of son and father, Turgenev makes a small point and notes that neither of them looks happy.
Fathers and Sons. Whose love is stronger? (Using the example of literary heroes)
Love is the feeling that underlies the relationship between children and parents. Moreover, parental, and especially maternal love has enormous power. She fills the little person’s world with joy and boundless care. Maternal feeling, both on a conscious and unconscious level, is a complete dedication of oneself to the child, absolute dedication. But... A mother can, with her crazy love and excessive care, deprive her child of independence and even push him away from her, as happened with Mitrofanushka in D. Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor.” Mrs. Prostakova's blind, unconscious love for her son does not resonate with him and deprives him of any desire to prepare for adult life. The power of a mother's love is manifested not in indulging her child in everything, but in devotion to him, faith in him, and an inextricable connection with him. This is especially important at turning points in the life of either an individual family or the country as a whole. How painful it was for Countess Rostova in L. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” to let her youngest son go to fight! But she makes this decision. A mother's love can work miracles, accomplish the impossible, transform the world. But most often, maternal love is a quiet but strong feeling. It doesn't ask for anything in return. This is exactly how the mother loves her son in V. Rasputin’s story “French Lessons”. In the hungry post-war period, she sends him to study in the city. She herself remains to live with two children in the village. How did she manage to collect some crumbs, send her son potatoes, bread and even some money? Only she knows the answer to this question. Of course, children also love their parents. Especially in childhood. But this feeling is not as huge and not as selfless as parental love. Growing up, the child needs less care and care, and then completely leaves his father’s house to sail independently on the sea of \u200b\u200blife. And sometimes it happens that children forget about their remaining father and mother. A classic example here is Evgeny Bazarov, the hero of I.S. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons,” who did not visit his old people for a long time. And only dying, he regretted that he cared so little about his parents. K. Paustovsky writes about the indifferent attitude of children towards their loved ones in the story “Telegram”. Its plot is simple: an elderly mother, forgotten by her daughter, dies alone. Nastya, the heroine of the story, not only did not come, but did not even write letters to her loved one. And only a telegram informing her that her mother is dying makes her get ready to go. But it’s too late... K. Paustovsky avoids an accusatory tone, but it is clear that the writer pronounces a verdict on the indifference of children who have forgotten about those who not only gave birth to them, but also raised them. Loving your father and mother is so natural. And so important.
