The Necessity of Open-mindedness to Foster Love
In Fathers and Sons, Turgenev proposes an interesting relationship between these two parties; the generation gap between fathers and sons brings with it controversy. Although Turgenev does not seem to take a stance on whose view of life is best, he shows that people all want others to at least investigate their own ideas, if not wholeheartedly adopt the views of his own generation. While Arcady is able to control his emotions about his ideas and still create relationships with those from the elder generation, Bazarov's total stubbornness and inflexibility do not allow him to create such relationships and actually cause harsh disputes and tension. Although the generation gap between fathers and sons will inevitably bring conflict, Fathers and Sons shows that this conflict can be resolved provided there is a conscious effort by both parties to do so.The youthful, nihilistic attitude of Bazarov as well as of Arcady comes into sharp contrast with the old values and traditions of the elder generation in the novel. When Arcady first informs his father that Bazarov is a Nihilist, "a man who admits no established authorities [and] takes no principles for granted," Nicholas is taken aback, as he sees that "men of an older generation
Arcady too is able to look past their differences and accepts Fenichka, Nicolas's far younger girlfriend, so as to make his father happy. The two men, diametrically opposed on all aspects of life take an immediate dislike of one another, and their passionate disputes end in a duel. Bazarov's total nihilism disallows Bazarov from having any relationships whatsoever with those from the elder generation. After not seeing his parents for several years, Bazarov returns to his family and is wholly dissatisfied with staying there. Although Arcady and Bazarov both have views that clearly oppose those of the elder generation, it is only Bazarov, making no effort to accept those with ideas different from his own, who is unable to form close ties with that generation. On the other hand, Arcady is far less stubborn and single-minded than Bazarov, and thus he is able to make those ties and cultivate love and understanding between the two generations. Then, after Arcady and Bazarov discuss the books that Nicolas had been reading, Arcady goes up to his father and "gently [takes] away [Nicholas's] book as he might have taken it from a child, and put[s] another one in front of" him (52). However, Bazarov also soon becomes extremely patronizing of Nicolas, a man who has been nothing but kind and generous to Bazarov, as he tells Arcady that Nicolas is a "back number" and tries to regulate what Nicolas can and cannot read (50). As a member of Russia's gentry, Nicolas, along with others in his generation, has lived a life based on firmly rooted principles and Bazarov's sheer disregard for something so important to him is a clear affront to his ideology and way of life. Because of this, Arcady seems to lead a quite happy, contented life, while Bazarov is constantly argumentative and angry. Despite differences in the ideas of Nicolas and Arcady, the father and son are still able to get along and feel great love for each other because they are able to look past their dissimilarities. Although the Kirsanovs love their son dearly, Bazarov just sees a couple of old aristocrats who "have their minds occupied and do not worry about their own insignificance," so he leaves shortly after his arrival (131). It is clear that Bazarov's ideas conflict totally with those of the elder generation; it is impossible for Bazarov to relate to and become friends with anyone from that generation.
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