The idea of Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" came to the author in 1860, when he was vacationing in the summer on the Isle of Wight. The writer compiled a list of actors, among whom was the nihilist Bazarov. This article is devoted to the characteristics of this character. You will find out if Bazarov is really a nihilist, what influenced the formation of his character and worldview, and what are the positive and negative features of this hero.
Initial author's description of Bazarov
How did Turgenev portray his hero? The author initially presented this character as a nihilist, self-confident, not without cynicism and abilities. He lives small, despises the people, although he knows how to talk with them. Eugene does not recognize the "artistic element". The nihilist Bazarov knows a lot, is energetic, and in his essence is a "barren subject." Eugene is proud and independent. Thus, at first this character was conceived as an angular and sharp figure, devoid of spiritual depth and "artistic element". Already in the process of writing a novelIvan Sergeevich was carried away by the hero, learned to understand him, imbued with sympathy for Bazarov. To some extent, he even began to justify the negative traits of his character.
Evgeny Bazarov as a representative of the generation of the 1860s
The nihilist Bazarov, despite all his spirit of denial and harshness, is a typical representative of the generation of the 60s of the 19th century, the raznochintsy democratic intelligentsia. This is an independent person who does not want to bow to authorities. The nihilist Bazarov is accustomed to subjecting everything to the judgment of reason. The hero provides a clear theoretical basis for his negation. He explains the social diseases and imperfections of people by the nature of society. Eugene says that moral ailments come from a bad upbringing. All sorts of trifles with which people's heads are stuffed from an early age play an important role in this. It was precisely this position that the domestic democrats-enlighteners of the 1860s adhered to.
Revolutionary worldview of Bazarov
Nevertheless, in the work "Fathers and Sons" Bazarov the nihilist, criticizing and explaining the world, is trying to radically change it. Partial improvements in life, its minor corrections cannot satisfy him. The hero says that it is not worth the trouble to "just talk" about the shortcomings of society. He resolutely demands a change in the very foundations, the complete destruction of the existing system. Turgenev saw Bazarov's nihilism as a manifestation of revolutionary spirit. He wrote that if Eugene is considerednihilist, this means that he is also a revolutionary. At that time in Russia, the spirit of rejection of the entire old, obsolete feudal world was closely connected with the spirit of the people. Evgeny Bazarov's nihilism eventually became destructive and all-encompassing. It is no coincidence that this hero, in a conversation with Pavel Petrovich, says that he blames his convictions in vain. After all, Bazarov's nihilism is associated with the people's spirit, and Kirsanov stands up just in his name.
Bazarov's denial
Turgenev, embodying the progressive features of youth in the image of Yevgeny Bazarov, as Herzen noted, showed some injustice in relation to an experienced realistic view. Herzen believes that Ivan Sergeevich mixed it with "boastful" and "rude" materialism. Yevgeny Bazarov says that he adheres to a negative direction in everything. He is "pleased to deny". The author, emphasizing Yevgeny's skeptical attitude towards poetry and art, shows a characteristic feature characteristic of a number of representatives of progressive democratic youth.
Ivan Sergeevich truthfully portrays the fact that Evgeny Bazarov, hating everything noble, spread his hatred to all poets who came from this environment. This attitude automatically extended to other artists as well. This feature was also characteristic of many young people of that time. I. I. Mechnikov, for example, said that the opinion spread among the younger generation that only positive knowledge can lead toprogress, and art and other manifestations of spiritual life can only hinder it. That is why Bazarov is a nihilist. He believes only in science - physiology, physics, chemistry - and does not accept everything else.
Evgeny Bazarov is a hero of his time
Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev created his work even before the abolition of serfdom. At this time, revolutionary sentiments were growing among the people. Ideas of destruction and negation of the old order were brought to the fore. The old principles and authorities were losing their influence. Bazarov says that now it is most useful to deny, which is why the nihilists deny. The author saw Evgeny Bazarov as a hero of his time. After all, he is the embodiment of this denial. However, it must be said that Eugene's nihilism is not absolute. He does not deny what has been verified by practice and experience. First of all, this refers to work, which Bazarov considers the vocation of every person. The nihilist in Fathers and Sons is convinced that chemistry is a useful science. He believes that the basis of the worldview of each person should be a materialistic understanding of the world.
Yevgeny's attitude towards pseudo-democrats
Ivan Sergeevich does not show this hero as the leader of the provincial nihilists, such as, for example, Evdokia Kukshina and the farmer Sitnikov. For Kukshina, even George Sand is a backward woman. Yevgeny Bazarov understands the emptiness and insignificance of such pseudo-democrats. Their environment is alien to him. Nevertheless, Eugene is also skeptical about popular forces. But it was on them that the revolutionary democrats of his day pinned their main hopes.
The negative side of Bazarov's nihilism
It can be noted that Bazarov's nihilism, despite many positive aspects, also has negative ones. It contains the danger of discouragement. In addition, nihilism can turn into superficial skepticism. It can even transform into cynicism. Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev, thus, astutely noted in Bazarov not only positive aspects, but also negative ones. He also showed what, under certain circumstances, could develop to the extreme and lead to dissatisfaction with life and loneliness.
However, as K. A. Timiryazev, an outstanding Russian scientist-democrat, in the image of Bazarov, the author embodied only the traits of a type that were outlined at that time, which, despite all the "secondary shortcomings", showed concentrated energy. It was thanks to her that the Russian naturalist managed to take pride of place both at home and abroad in a short time.
Now you know why Bazarov is called a nihilist. Turgenev in the image of this character used the technique of the so-called secret psychology. Ivan Sergeevich presented the nature of Yevgeny, the spiritual evolution of his hero through the life tests that fell to his lot.
