The novel explores nihilism in Russian society and how the radical nihilistic beliefs affect relations of Bazarov and Arkady. In this paper, I will try to examine Nihilism in context of Turgenev’s ‘Fathers and Sons’ and show how despite Nihilistic denial of intangible forces of passion and fate, Bazarov ultimately succumbs to both.
Nihilism is the philosophy of negation …show more content…
He does not however stick to the commitment of continuing the duel and immediately rushes to help the injured man. Bazarov says that he’s “not a duellist, but a doctor”. This shows that despite his severe disagreement with Pavel and irritation towards his aristocratic behavior, he ultimately cares for the man.
His behavior is not as devoid of sentiments, as he would like it to be. On his return to his family, he practices medicine with his father to help the villagers. He agrees to indulge his parents who he earlier advised to maintain distance from him. He talks more to his father and lets his mother feed him as per her wishes. The behavior shows a strong shift from his negative views of intimacy.
He may remain aloof and anti-social in company of his friend or family but he is nevertheless indulgent to the servants on the estate. He takes them frog hunting and explains to them his reasons behind studying it. Bazarov considered every human an equal in purely scientific terms-comparing all humans to frogs. He has strong negative feelings for everyone- aristocrats and peasants alike. His nihilism remains strongly