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 - and 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' of
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' and 'parliamentism'
while 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', 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' by 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 - and 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 - think 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' thoughts. 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'. 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',
undefined world than live by rules, norms and standards imposed by others.
Bazarov calls conventional methods of living 'gliding along the rails'. 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 - death.
Nihilism as an idea has the potential to create a lot 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 - negation in
the form of death.