Ivan Turgenev’s depiction of Russia in his book ‘Fathers and Sons’ offers an enlightening impression of Russian life and culture and gives the reader the opportunity to gain a sufficient understanding of the way in which Russian society functioned during that period. The relations between men and women are somewhat intermixed with the relations between upper and lower classes in some instances. Likewise the relationships between parents and children also overlapped with the other themes and there was a distinct connection between the three themes. The relationship that Nicholas Petrovich had with Fenichka is a striking example of a scenario where the major themes coincide.
Fenichka a peasant girl is brought into the house of Nicholas and she becomes his lover and bears him a son. Nicholas is somewhat ashamed of the fact that he was living with and intimately involved with his serf because he found it necessary to apologize to his son Arcady when he came to visit him. Arcady seemed to understand his father’s sentiments concerning Fenichka and did not disapprove of the relationship as evidenced when Arcady states, “But, daddy you seem to be apologizing …Why apologize?” This shows that Arcady had the utmost respect for his father and regardless of the nature if Nicholas’ relationship with Fenichka Arcady insisted on showing his support for his fathers’ choices. Arcady and Nicholas have a very close relationship and love each other dearly this may have contributed to Arcady’s acceptance of Fenichka and his little brother Mitya. This is further evidenced when Arcady learns of his brother and he said, “But you didn’t tell me that I had a brother … I would have kissed him quite as fondly yesterday as I did just now.”
Turgenev gives a clear portrayal of the relationships between upper and lower classes and showed how the changes in Russian society affected the way in which serfs were regarded by their masters. Nicholas divided his land and rented it out to his former serfs due to the modernized system of estate management. He also seemed to struggle with managing his estate and his serfs; many of whom failed to pay him rent. Despite this Nicholas remained a considerate character towards his serfs. Bazarov an upperclass citizen and the friend of Arcady was quite at ease with serfs and related to them fairly well he seemed to despise the gentry and showed more affinity towards the serfs and they reciprocated. (21)This is shown when he went in search of frogs and delightfully educated the peasant children about his findings and in response to their curiosity he referred to them as philosophers.
In fact Bazarov was more trusting of the serfs than he was the aristocrats as he called them given his contempt for Paul Petrovich. Bazarov related very well with Fenichka who also felt comfortable around him. Fenichka liked Bazarov and he liked her and according to the novel, “She felt no shame at nursing her baby in his presence.”(174) This friendly relationship between Fenichka and Bazarov shows how skewed the lines were between the upper an lower class and men and women relationship themes in the book since Bazarov eventually fell for Fenichka when he kissed her in the arbor.
The relations between upper and lower classes are further seen in the closeness between Bazarov and Nicholas’ serfs at the time of his arrival and even in his final departure. Upon his arrival at Maryino, “The servants had become attached to him; even though he poked fun at them, they felt that he was one of them and no “master.”
Upon learning of Bazarov’s final departure from the Kirsanov’s domain, Peter the peasant who witnessed the duel between Bazarov and Paul, wept on Bazarov’s shoulder while Dunyasha took refuge in the copse to hide her feelings. (192/3)
The relationship between the upper and lower classes is appears to be amicable in relation to Bazarov and his father Vassily Ivanich who both show immense interest in the serfs. In fact Bazarov’s regard for peasants may have been directly influenced by the way in which his parents treated their peasants. Consequently the parent and children relationship also comes into play here and the two themes coincide given that Bazarov often witnessed his father’s concern peasants and this did affect the way in which Bazarov himself treated peasants. This is exemplified in the story when “One day, in his presence , his father was bandaging a peasant’s injured leg.” Of course Cassily Ivanich was a doctor and so was Bazarov but evidently the caring manner that his father had towerds peasants made an indeleible impression on Bazarov.
According to Turgenev, “Occassionally Bazarov went for a stroll to the village and, in his usual bantering tone , engaged some peasant in conversation.” Likewise Vassily Ivanich showed great concern for a dying peasant who had contacted typhus. The peasant was brought to Vassily’s home for treatment and according to the book “Vassily expressed regret that it had occurred to no one to seek medical advice sooner.” (225)
In addition to Nicholas’ relationship with Fenichka other relationships between men and women throughout the book were also of a complex nature but to a lesser extent. For instance the relationship between Anna Sergeyevna and Mr. Odintzov was that of an wealthy man in his mid-forties and a poor young woman. According to Turgenevs’ account he fell in love with her and after consenting to become his wife he lived with her for six years and died bequeathing to her his whole fortune. Paul Petrovich’s relationship with the Princess proved to be turbulent and trite since he chased her for many years to no avail. In the end he lived to regret that he wasted the best years of his life in pursuit of a woman who was no longer interested in him.
The relationship between Arcady and Katya is very interesting and vividly illustrates the more normal aspect of the relationships between men and women. Katya and Arcady are both young and at first had not interest in each other but that changes as the story progresses. Initially Arcday in his early twenties was fond of Katya’s twenty nine year old sister Anna Sergeyevna. However after spending time spent and shared interests with Katya Arcady falls madly in love with her and even proposes to her. The relationship between Arcady and Katya stands out as the most memorable and significant among the relationships between men and women in the book because their love for each was so pure and natural and represents a more balanced and customary aspect of the relationships between men and women in the book.
The marriage of both the father and son towards the ending of the book is quite significant in that it offers a sense of serenity and closure to the story. The father finally does the right thing when he take his brothers’ advice and marries Fenichka and Arcady finds his lot in life when he marries Katya. She turns out to be the one who really shaped his character and his sense of self and he admits this to her after he loses closeness with his mentor Bazarov and became closer to her instead. In conclusion the link between the themes discussed in the book show how the relationships between each character contributes to the overall progress of the story as depicted in both the lives of the characters and as it relates to the progress in Russian society.
References:
Turgenev, Ivan. ” Fathers and Sons”
