Nihilism
Nihilism in Turgenov's Fathers 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 t
hing 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 woe 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 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,
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Approximate Word count = 1664
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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