In the second half of the 19th century, Turgenev’s fourth novel was published, in which the author reflected his social and political views on the events taking place in the country. The theme of the clash of two generations was inspired by the tough ideological struggle that took place between liberals and democrats. The composition of the novel "Fathers and Sons" helps to most fully feel the views and experiences of the writer.
Creation of a work
The strength of Turgenev’s talent was the ability to anticipate changes in social life. Only moods that prevailed in society and barely emerging trends could speak of them. But the author of immortal novels already felt the impending changes. In 1860, the writer began to create a new novel. The idea of this work was the desire to show a completely new type of public figure, who had just begun to appear on the stage of the Russian social and political struggle. Thus, a new character, which has no analogues in Russian literature, was introduced into the novel as the protagonist - a wrestler, a nihilist and a commoner. An essay based on the novel Fathers and Sons can be dedicated to the image of the protagonist.
Time to work
In 1862, the novel was published. He dedicated himself to criticizing Belinsky. It should be noted that the work used extremely clear dating. The action began on May 20th, 1859. The author thereby sought to recreate in the work the specific atmosphere that prevailed in the then Russia and was caused by a number of extremely important socio-political events.
There was very little time left until the abolition of serfdom. And, as always happens before dramatic transformations, unrest prevailed in the country, irreconcilable disputes did not stop in society. It was not known who would succeed the nobility and what the future path of Russia was. The composition “Time in the novel“ Fathers and Sons ”” involves the disclosure and analysis of the relationship between the actions in Turgenev’s book and the events that took place in public and political life.
Genre
The work is a socio-psychological novel. The title speaks of the main topic. The creative task on the relationship between representatives of different generations based on the work of Turgenev and the essay “Time in the novel“ Fathers and Sons ”” are traditional in the lessons of the Russian language and literature at school. However, the genre specifics of this book should also be considered. The plot, as already mentioned, is based on a completely new image of a person who does not belong either to the nobility or to any other social stratum. There are several storylines in the novel. And with the help of this artistic device Turgenev revealed the image of the protagonist in its entirety.
Plot structure
There is no single plot in the novel, since the narrative is conducted on the principle of cyclical composition. First, Bazarov gets acquainted with the Kirsanov family, Odintsova, Sitnikov and Kukshina. Further development can be described as the second plot circle, in which the main character gradually breaks off relations with all other characters. It also ends with the death of Bazarov.
Important compositional elements are plug-in episodes. They usually include a brief background of the main characters. These inserts allow the reader to understand the inner world of the characters. An essay based on Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” reveals Bazarov’s complex relationship with other characters.
Great importance is given to the epilogue. In it, the author devoted the reader to the events that occur after the death of the protagonist.
Bazarov
The system of images is built on the antithesis. The compositional center in it is the main character. The personality of Yevgeny Bazarov is revealed in the process of developing his relations with other actors. An essay based on Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” is a kind of analysis of the hero’s views on the opinions and lifestyle of minor characters. So, for example, after the clash between Bazarov and Pavel Kirsanov, the reader understands the worldview of the nihilist hero. In relation to Eugene to Odintsova, one can see his ability to high feelings, which, it would seem, he was already completely deprived.
The images of minor heroes create a kind of background against which the revolutionary views of the hero are most clearly visible. He may seem overly self-confident, but by working, he is satisfied with small. She doesn’t want to be a doctor and everyone is waiting for some occasion. He seeks to communicate with the people and knows how to do it, but he does not like him at heart. And, most importantly, he is devoid of any enthusiasm and has no idea. Such is the characteristic of the protagonist, but for a more detailed consideration it is worth writing an essay. The meaning of the novel “Fathers and Sons” lies in the tragic loneliness of the protagonist. Even in his father's house, he does not feel happy. His parents love and adore him, but he does not find understanding among them.
Other images
Arkady Kirsanov is not able to become a companion of his friend. He is soft and apolitical. In addition, he is too committed to traditional values, which he absorbed as a child in his parental home. The themes of essays based on the novel “Fathers and Sons” may touch upon various points in the plot composition and consider the relationship between the main character and one of the secondary ones. But the dialogues of Bazarov and Arkady carry an important semantic load in the work. Their relationship complements the picture of spiritual loneliness, which is the companion of the main character until the last days of his life.
Sitnikov and Kukshina are a parody of representatives of the advanced intelligentsia. They try to imitate their teacher Bazarov, but are not able to understand the depth of thoughts of their idol. And therefore, the hero’s sense of misunderstanding in their society not only does not leave him, but only intensifies even more.
Odintsova
This lady values her position in society too much. The outbreak of passion of the protagonist scares her. Surrender to Odintsova’s feeling lacks courage. And she prefers calm. Odintsova’s coldness, which, perhaps, would have dissipated over time, is perceived by the hero as a defeat. His maximalism does not allow him to understand her experiences and fears.
Love occupies a special place in the novel Fathers and Sons. An essay on this topic is the disclosure, perhaps, of the main idea of the work. The Turgenev hero so insistently denied everything that surrounded him that he was somewhat carried away and did not take into account the possibility of the origin of a love feeling. He considered romanticism stupid and part of that outdated social world, which is on its last legs. But, having experienced a deep feeling for a woman, he realized that now he can only deny himself. And this awareness was the beginning of his death.
Bazarov in the eyes of the author
On the pages of the novel you can find that Turgenev has some sympathy for the views of Bazarov. The author emphasizes that the hero is primarily a revolutionary. Direct hints are present in the replicas of Bazarov. He says that significant changes are coming, but first you should "clear" the place for those who will build. Bazarov still has no opportunity to act. The writer did not endow his hero with it, because he believed that at that time the country did not need such cardinal transformations.
The problem of confrontation between generations certainly arises in the context of significant social, political and economic transformations. There have been such examples in the history of Russia, and perhaps they have yet to be seen more than once. Therefore, the topic to which this article is devoted is obligatory in the school curriculum. The best way to analyze and reveal it is to write an essay on literature. The novel "Fathers and Sons" is a brilliant work that should be read and re-read to everyone.