Nihilism in Turgenovs Fathers and Sons :: Fathers and Sons Essays

Nihilism in Turgenovs Fathers and sons Turgenovs Fathers and Sons has several characters who cause strong views of the world. Pavel believes that Russia needs structure from such(prenominal) things as institution, religion, and class hierarchy. Madame Odintsov views the world as simple so long as she keeps it systematic and unloosen from interference. This essay bequeath focus on perhaps the most provoke 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 Bazarovs views and interpretations of science, political science and institution. Next we will turn to the issue relationships. Finally we examine Bazarovs death and the stunning truths it reveals. These issues combined with the theme of nihilism will evoke that chance, or fate is a strong force which can non easily be negated. Nihilism as a concept is used throughout Fathers and Sons. To pass water a better understanding of the ideas behind this term lets look at what Bazarov says on the subject. We base our conduct on what we make out as useful... the most useful thing we can do is to repudiate and so we repudiate (123). The base concept of nihilism is to discard or negate, and as we learn later in the same paragraph, to negate everything. With this remnant 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 bear on 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 resolve to perpetuate a myth. Bazarov agrees with the statement that nihilism confines oneself to abuse (126). ... I beginnert believe in anything and what is sciencescience in the abduct? There are sciences as there are trades and professions, but rescind science just doesnt exist (98). For Bazarov anything that is not tangible and concrete doesnt exist. Psychology, quantum mechanics, neurochemistry would be scoffed at by Bazarov. It seems peculiar that Bazarov would say, ... nowadays we express emotion at medicine in general, and worship no one, (197) while at the same time he pursues a career as a doctor.