Fathers and Sons

About “Fathers and Sons”

Fathers and Sons is a 1862 novel by Ivan Turgenev that explores the conflict between generations. The story centers on Yevgeny Bazarov and his friend Arkady Kirsanov, both of whom reject traditional beliefs and call themselves Nihilists. They challenge established ideas about art, religion, and politics. Bazarov accompanies Arkady to the Kirsanov family estate, where he clashes with Arkady's uncle, Pavel. Their philosophical differences lead to a heated confrontation. Upon its release, the novel caused controversy, with the political right seeing it as a promotion of nihilism and the political left viewing it as an unfair portrayal of young radicals. The novel remains relevant for its complex characters and exploration of lasting themes.