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 assume that, without [principles],...one cannot move a step, one cannot even breathe" (29, 30). 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. The younger generation also criticizes its elders on the subject of poetry and the arts, as Arcady and especially Bazarov see it as impractical and "such nonsense" (51).
             Bazarov's total nihilism disallows Bazarov from having any relationships whatsoever with those from the elder generation. Despite being a guest in Nicolas Kirsanov's house, Bazarov insults bo...