Student nihilist Bazarov: the image in the novel "Fathers and Sons"

The idea of Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" appeared in the author in 1860, when he rested in the summer on the Isle of Wight. The writer made a list of actors, among whom was the nihilist Bazarov. This article is devoted to characterization of this character. You will find out whether 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.

The original author's characteristic of Bazarov

How did Turgenev portray his hero? The author originally introduced this character as a nihilist, self-confident, not devoid of cynicism and abilities. He lives small, despises the people, although he knows how to speak with him. Eugene does not recognize the "artistic element". The nihilist Bazarov knows a lot, is energetic, but in essence he is a "futile subject." Evgeny is proud and independent. Thus, at first this character was conceived by an angular and sharp figure, devoid of spiritual depth and "artistic element". Already in the process of working on the novel, Ivan Sergeevich was carried away by the hero, he learned to understand it, was imbued with sympathy for Bazarov. To some extent, he even began to justify the negative features of his character.

Eugene Bazarov as a representative of the generation of the 1860s

Nihilist Bazarov, despite his whole spirit of denial and harshness, is a typical representative of the generation of the 1960s, a diverse democratic intelligentsia. It is an independent person who does not want to bow before the authorities. Nihilist Bazarov is used to expose all the courts of reason. The hero brings a clear theoretical foundation to his rejection. He explains the public illnesses and imperfection of people with the character of society. Eugene says that moral ills arise from bad education. A great role in this play all sorts of trifles, which from a young age stuff people's heads. This is exactly the position that domestic democrats, educators of the 1860s, adhered to.

Revolutionary worldview 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, minor corrections of it can not satisfy. The hero says that it is not worth much trouble "just to talk" about the shortcomings of society. He resolutely demands the replacement of the very foundations, the complete destruction of the existing system. Turgenev in nihilism Bazarova saw the manifestation of revolutionary. He wrote that if Eugene is considered a nihilist, it means that he is also a revolutionary. At that time in Russia, the spirit of denial of the whole old, obsolete feudal world was closely connected with the national spirit. The nihilism of Evgeny Bazarov eventually became destructive and all-encompassing. It is no coincidence that this hero in a conversation with Pavel Petrovich says that he in vain condemns his convictions. After all, Bazarov's nihilism is connected with the national spirit, and Kirsanov stands up for him.

Denial of Bazarov

Turgenev, embodying the progressive features of youth in the image of Eugene Bazarov, as noted by Herzen, showed some injustice in relation to the experimental realistic view. Herzen believes that Ivan Sergeyevich mixed it with "boastful" and "rude" materialism. Eugene Bazarov says that he adheres in all negative directions. He is "pleased to deny". The author, emphasizing Yevgeny's skeptical attitude to poetry and art, shows a characteristic feature of a number of representatives of advanced democratic youth.

Ivan Sergeyevich truthfully depicts the fact that Yevgeny Bazarov, hating all the nobility, spread his hatred to all the poets who came from this environment. This attitude automatically extended to the figures of other arts. Such a trait was also characteristic of many representatives of the youth of that time. I.I. Mechnikov, for example, said that among the younger generation, the notion that only positive knowledge can lead to progress has spread, and art and other manifestations of spiritual life can only hamper it. That's why Bazarov is a nihilist. He adheres to faith only in science - physiology, physics, chemistry - and does not accept everything else.

Eugene Bazarov - the hero of his time

Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev created his work even before the abolition of serfdom. At this time, the people were all growing revolutionary moods. The ideas of destruction and denial of the old order were brought to the forefront. Old principles and authorities lost their influence. Bazarov says that now it is most useful to deny, therefore, nihilists deny. The author saw Yevgeny Bazarov as a hero of his time. After all, he is the embodiment of this denial. However, it must be said that Evgeny's nihilism does not have an absolute character. He does not deny that he has been tested by practice, experience. First of all, this refers to the work that Bazarov regards as the vocation of every person. The nihilist in the novel "Fathers and Sons" is convinced that chemistry is a useful science. He believes that the basis for the world view of each person should be a materialistic understanding of the world.

Eugene's attitude toward pseudo-democrats

Ivan Sergeevich does not show this hero as the leader of the provincial nihilists, such as, for example, Yevdokia Kukshin and the tax collector Sitnikov. For Kukshina, a backward woman is even George Sand. Eugene Bazarov understands the emptiness and insignificance of such pseudo-democrats. Their environment is alien to him. Nevertheless, Eugene is also skeptical about the people's forces. But it was they who were the main hopes of the revolutionary democrats modern to him.

Negative aspects of nihilism Bazarov

It can be noted that Bazarov's nihilism, despite many positive aspects, has negative aspects. It contains the danger of a spirit's decline. In addition, nihilism can turn into superficial skepticism. He is even able to transform into cynicism. Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev, thus, insightfully noted in Bazarov not only positive aspects, but also negative. He also showed that under certain circumstances he could develop to the extreme and lead to dissatisfaction with life and loneliness.

Nevertheless, as K.A. Timiryazev, an outstanding Russian democrat scientist, embodied the image of Bazarov only the features of the type that had been outlined at that time, which, with all the "minor flaws," concentrated energy. It was thanks to her that the Russian naturalist succeeded in taking up an honorable place in his short time both at home and abroad.

Now you know why Bazarov is called a nihilist. Turgenev in the depiction of this character used the method of so-called secret psychology. Ivan Sergeevich presented the nature of Eugene, the spiritual evolution of his hero through the life experiences that fell to his lot.