“The history of creation and analysis of the novel “Fathers and Sons” by Turgenev I.S. "Fathers and Sons": characters

Quickly - work on it took the writer about two years. This was already the fourth great work Ivan Sergeevich. How the work on the novel went and what stages of creation this work went through, we know in detail, since not only the information of contemporaries, but also the notes of Turgenev himself have been preserved about this.

Creative history of the novel

In August 1860, Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev was in England. He had a great time on the Isle of Wight. When he was taking sea baths in Ventnor, according to the writer himself, the idea suddenly came to his mind - to write a “big story.” After this, the author began to work little by little on his new work.

In one of his letters, Turgenev writes that the prototype of the nihilist protagonist was his fellow passenger in the carriage. As Turgenev himself recalled, due to heavy snow drifts, their train could not travel further, so Ivan Sergeevich had time to get to know the young doctor from the province as best as possible. It is known that this fellow traveler died shortly before Turgenev wrote the novel.

Already in the fall of the same year, Ivan Turgenev, while in Paris, drew up his “plan” for the story, according to which he began to write. By the way, the plan for the new work was worked out by Ivan Sergeevich down to the smallest detail. The author of the novel “Fathers and Sons” himself told everyone that he really liked the idea, and he wants to finish this work by spring.

In winter, the author begins to write his “big story,” and by spring half of the novel was already ready. But then something strange happens - Turgenev can no longer work fruitfully on his work. In letters, he tells friends that his constant stay in Paris is negatively affecting him.

Only after returning to Russia, while on his estate, in the summer of 1861, did the writer finally finish his work on the novel. But Ivan Sergeevich did not stop there. Returning to Paris, he reads his manuscript to friends and acquaintances, and then adds to it and makes some changes. After this, he sends a draft of the novel to his friend Pavel Annenkov. He, having read the novel, sent it back along with his additions and comments. After this, Turgenev again makes some corrections and edits to the text of the novel. This work lasted for three to four months.

The first publication of the novel took place in the spring of 1862 in the Russian Messenger magazine. But this Turgenev work was published as a separate book only in the fall of 1862.

Creation stages:

The meaning, plot and problems of the work

In his novel, Ivan Turgenev decided to show the struggle between two political directions. The entire plot of the work is structured in such a way that different generations and worldviews are presented in opposition to each other. Such prominent representatives include the following characters:

1. Bazarov Evgeniy.

According to the writer’s plan, the plot touches on many issues that were relevant in the 19th century and still concern the public:

1. Attitude to work;
2. Transformations in villages;
3. Attitude to science and art;
4. The situation of the common people.

But the main problem raised by the writer is reflected in the very title of the novel - the relationship between children and fathers. Bazarov does not want to understand the principles and interests of the older generation, considering them already outdated. According to the main character, the main goal in life is to work in such a way as to produce something material. Therefore, Eugene is indifferent to both art and science, considering them useless.

Pavel Petrovich thinks differently about everything. He believes that there are things that will always exist and that cannot be replaced by anything in the world. Traditions and habits are important to him, and he does not notice the changes that occur in society at all. Therefore, disputes constantly arise between Evgeniy Vasilyevich and Pavel Petrovich, which help to reveal and understand ideological plan Turgenev's novel.

Despite the fact that they are opponents in their worldview, these heroes have a lot in common:

1. Self-love;
2. Render big influence on others, but they themselves are not subject to the influence of others;
3. They do not know how and cannot calmly conduct disputes;
4. They have a strong character.

And despite all these similarities, Bazarov and Kirsanov are completely different people . And this difference manifests itself in many ways:

1. In origin;
2. Education;
3. Way of thinking;
4. Portrait characteristics;
5. Lifestyle.

Bazarov is a nihilist. He knows how to talk to the peasants in such a way that they consider him their man, and not their master. Kirsanov is cut off from the people. Pavel Petrovich spends his every day aimlessly, and Evgeniy wants to constantly work.

Evgeny Bazarov - strong personality, so the author deliberately tries to put him through another test - death. The hero is tragic, but even when dying, he behaves like a truly strong personality. IN last minutes In his life, Evgeniy thinks not about himself, but about his parents.

Plan for retelling

When studying the novel “Fathers and Sons” at school, it is often necessary not only to analyze the work, but also to draw up a plan for the retelling. This will help you quickly navigate the plot of the work and reproduce it correctly.

Plan for detailed or brief retelling:

1. Arkady Kirsanov and Evgeny Bazarov arrive home;
2. The life story of the Kirsanov brothers;
3. Meeting Odintsova;
4. Visit to parents' home;
5. Duel;
6. Illness and death of Bazarov.

The action of the novel takes the reader to the May days of 1859. Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov, who was already 43 years old, was happily waiting for his son to come home. Arkady, the son of the landowner Kirsanov, had already graduated from the university and was now traveling with his friend Yevgeny Bazarov to his father to stay with him.

Nikolai Petrovich was the son of a general, and once in his youth a beautiful military career. But one day he broke his leg and has remained lame ever since. Therefore o military service he had to forget. Having married the daughter of a minor official early, he led the measured life of a landowner and was happy. But unexpectedly, Nikolai Petrovich’s wife died, after which he devoted his life to raising his son, in whom he doted.

And then Arkady appears along with his new friend. Evgeniy is an aspiring doctor, tall and young. He is ugly and self-confident. The conversation doesn’t go well right away, because Arkady notices a young girl with a baby next to his father. Fenechka confuses him. And Pavel Petrovich, Arkady’s uncle, is already waiting for them at home. Antipathy immediately arises between him and Bazarov.

The very next day, Pavel Petrovich cannot stand it and enters into an argument with Evgeniy. Bazarov proves his beliefs that chemistry is more important than art. But to Kirsanov, Bazarov’s nihilism seems impudent.

Arkady tries to somehow smooth out this conflict and briefly tells the life story of Pavel Kirsanov. He was an excellent officer. But one day he met a princess with whom he fell passionately in love. But when the romance ended unexpectedly, so did his military career.

Disputes between the elder Kirsanov and Bazarov arose as soon as they met. One day, Evgeny and Arkady went to the city, where they met an acquaintance, Bazarov. Sitnikov introduces them to Lady Kukshina. On the same day, Arkady introduced his friend to the widow Odintsova. Kukshina was a nihilist. But Bazarov immediately fell in love with the rich young Odintsova.

A widow invites young people to stay at her house. For some time, it seems to Arkady that he, too, is in love with Anna Sergeevna. But, having met Katenka, he spends a lot of time in her company. After an explanation with Odintsova and a refusal, Evgeniy decides to go to his parents. His father lived nearby and was a district doctor. Despite the joy of his parents, he soon becomes bored and leaves their house, going back to the Kirsanovs.

Missing you he starts pestering Fenichka. Pavel Petrovich, seeing this act of Evgeniy, challenges him to a duel. During the duel, Bazarov slightly wounds Kirsanov and himself provides him with first aid. Katya and Arkady become so close that the younger Kirsanov completely forgets about his friend. Anna Sergeevna does not reciprocate Bazarov's feelings. And Evgeny remains to return to parents' house.

Having returned, Bazarov tries to work hard. But one day, while conducting experiments on the corpse of a patient, he wounds his finger and becomes infected with typhoid. A few days later he informs his father that he will soon die. Just before his death, he asks Odintsova to come to him to say goodbye.

Six months later, Arkady and his father get married. Pavel Petrovich leaves for Dresden, and only his parents come to Bazarov’s grave, mourning their son.

Main characters

• Evgeny Vasilievich Bazarov- nihilist, student, studying to become a doctor. In nihilism, he is Arkady's mentor, protests against the liberal ideas of the Kirsanov brothers and the traditional views of his own parents. Falls in love with Odintsova. Dies of blood poisoning at the end of the novel.
• Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov- landowner, liberal democrat and father of Arkady. At the beginning of the work, he is ashamed to confirm his love for the non-aristocratic Fenechka, but following the example of the ideals represented by the nihilists, and with the approval of his brother, he marries her.
• Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov- brother of Nikolai Petrovich, an aristocrat, proud, self-confident, is an ardent supporter of liberalism. He cannot contain his hatred for Bazarov.
• Arkady Nikolaevich Kirsanov- a recent graduate of St. Petersburg University and a friend of Bazarov. He is also a nihilist, although this seems to stem from his admiration for Bazarov rather than his own beliefs.
• Vasily Ivanovich Bazarov- Bazarov's father, a retired army surgeon and a small owner of land, as well as serfs. Educated and enlightened, he nevertheless feels, like many, that rural isolation has left him beyond the reach of modern ideas. He thus maintains loyalty to the traditional ways, especially in devotion to God and to his son.
• Arina Vlasevna- Bazarov's mother, a devout follower of Orthodoxy. She loves her son deeply, but in her heart she is worried about his renunciation of all faiths.
• Anna Sergeevna Odintsova- a rich widow who entertains nihilistic friends on her estate. At first she sympathizes with Bazarov, but after his confession she does not respond with the same feelings.
• Ekaterina Sergeevna Lokteva- Anna Odintsova’s sister, a quiet girl, invisible in her sister’s shadow, plays the clavichord. Arkady spends a lot of time with her, languishing in love with Anna. But later he realizes his love for Katya. At the end of the novel, Catherine marries Arkady.
• Fenechka- mother of Nikolai Petrovich’s child. Lives with him in the same house.

Notes

Links

• "Fathers and Sons" on Wikisource

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

See what “Fathers and Sons (novel)” is in other dictionaries:

Fathers and Sons: Fathers and Sons Turgenev's novel Fathers and Sons (film, 1957) Fathers and Sons (film, 1958) Fathers and Sons (film, 1983) Fathers and Sons (film, 1992) Fathers and Sons (film, 2008) Fathers and children (RPA) ... Wikipedia

FATHERS AND SONS- Roman I.S. Turgeneva*. Written in 1859–1861, it first appeared in print in 1862, that is, a year after the abolition of serfdom in Russia. Dedicated to the memory of the Russian critic V.G. Belinsky, some of whose character traits and views... ... Linguistic and regional dictionary

This term has other meanings, see Fathers and Sons (meanings). Fathers and Sons Fathers and Sons ... Wikipedia

Fathers and Sons (Turgenev)- novel in XXVIII chapters. Dedicated to the memory of Vissarion Grigorievich Belinsky. Written in 1861. Set in 1859. None of T.’s novels caused as many critical attacks on the author as O. and D. . T.’s intentions have been interpreted differently by critics... Dictionary of literary types

Bazarov, Evgeny Vasilievich ("Fathers and Sons")- See also The son of a retired doctor, a medical student preparing for the doctor's exam. B. was tall, with a courageous voice, and a firm and swift gait. His long and thin face, with a wide forehead, flat at the top, down... ... Dictionary of literary types

A detailed narrative that generally gives the impression of being told about real people and events that are not actually such. No matter how long it may be, the novel always offers the reader a comprehensive... ... Collier's Encyclopedia

This term has other meanings, see What to do?. What to do? Genre: novel

Philosophical novel literary term, which became widespread in the 20th century. This term refers to works of art written in novel form, in the plot or images of which famous role play philosophical... ... Wikipedia

A peculiar duology of the modern Russian prose writer Vladimir Sorokin (1995), one of the largest representatives of conceptualism (see CONCEPTUALISM). Both novels appeared at the same time and were identically printed. The words themselves are normal and... Encyclopedia of Cultural Studies

Books

• Fathers and Sons. Version 2. 0. Anthology of modern, Hovhannes Aznauryan, Roman Valerievich Senchin, Mikhail Fedorovich Lipskerov, German Umaralievich Sadulaev, Vadim Andreevich Levental, Yuri Vasilievich Buida, Vladimir Guga, Alexander Fedenko. Childhood is a cruel time. If you are in kindergarten they never forced you to wash the floor with your own shirt, unless you climbed into old cemeteries at night to be afraid, and were not teased in the yard...

Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” reveals several problems at once. One reflects the conflict of generations and clearly demonstrates a way to get out of it while preserving the main thing - the value of family. The second demonstrates the processes taking place in the society of that time. Through dialogues and skillfully developed images of the characters, a type that has barely begun to emerge is presented. public figure, denying all the foundations of the existing statehood and ridiculing such moral and ethical values ​​as love feelings and sincere affection.

Ivan Sergeevich himself does not take either side in the work. As an author, he condemns both the nobility and representatives of new socio-political movements, clearly showing that the value of life and sincere affections is much higher than rebellion and political passions.

History of creation

Of all Turgenev’s works, the novel “Fathers and Sons” was the only one written in short terms. Only two years passed from the inception of the idea to the first publication of the manuscript.

The writer’s first thoughts regarding the new story came in August 1860 during his stay in England on the Isle of Wight. This was facilitated by Turgenev’s acquaintance with a young provincial doctor. Fate pushed them into bad weather on an iron road and, under the pressure of circumstances, they communicated with Ivan Sergeevich all night. New acquaintances were shown those ideas that the reader could later observe in Bazarov’s speeches. The doctor became the prototype of the main character.

(The Kirsanov estate from the film "Fathers and Sons", filming location Fryanovo estate, 1983)

In the autumn of the same year, upon returning to Paris, Turgenev worked out the plot of the novel and began writing chapters. Within six months, half of the manuscript was ready, and he finished it after arriving in Russia, in the middle of the summer of 1861.

Until the spring of 1862, reading his novel to friends and giving the manuscript to the editor of the Russian Messenger to read, Turgenev made corrections to the work. In March of the same year, the novel was published. This version was slightly different from the edition that was released six months later. In it, Bazarov was presented in a more unsightly light and the image of the main character was a little repulsive.

Analysis of the work

Main plot

The main character of the novel, the nihilist Bazarov, together with the young nobleman Arkady Kirsanov, arrives at the Kirsanov estate, where the main character meets his comrade’s father and uncle.

Pavel Petrovich is a sophisticated aristocrat who does not like Bazarov at all or the ideas and values ​​he displays. Bazarov also does not remain in debt, and no less actively and passionately, he speaks out against the values ​​and morality of the old people.

After this, the young people meet the recently widowed Anna Odintsova. They both fall in love with her, but temporarily hide it not only from the object of their adoration, but also from each other. The main character is ashamed to admit that he, who vehemently opposed romanticism and love affection, now himself suffers from these feelings.

The young nobleman begins to be jealous of the lady of his heart for Bazarov, omissions occur between friends and, as a result, Bazarov tells Anna about his feelings. Odintsova prefers him a quiet life and a marriage of convenience.

Gradually, the relationship between Bazarov and Arkady deteriorates, and Arkady himself gets carried away younger sister Anna Ekaterina.

Relations between the older generation of the Kirsanovs and Bazarovs are heating up, it comes to a duel, in which Pavel Petrovich is wounded. This puts an end to it between Arkady and Bazarov, and the main character has to return to Father's house. There he becomes infected with a fatal disease and dies in the arms of his own parents.

In the finale of the novel, Anna Sergeevna Odintsova gets married by convenience, Arkady and Ekaterina, as well as Fenechka and Nikolai Petrovich get married. They have their weddings on the same day. Uncle Arkady leaves the estate and goes to live abroad.

Heroes of Turgenev's novel

Evgeny Vasilievich Bazarov

Bazarov is a medical student, by social status, a simple man, the son of a military doctor. He is seriously interested in natural sciences, shares the beliefs of nihilists and denies romantic attachments. He is self-confident, proud, ironic and mocking. Bazarov doesn’t like to talk a lot.

Besides love main character does not share admiration for art, has little faith in medicine, despite the education he receives. Not considering himself a romantic person, Bazarov loves beautiful women and, at the same time, despises them.

Most interesting point in a novel, this is when the hero himself begins to experience those feelings whose existence he denied and ridiculed. Turgenev clearly demonstrates intrapersonal conflict, at a moment when a person’s feelings and beliefs diverge.

Arkady Nikolaevich Kirsanov

One of central characters Turgenev's novel is a young and educated nobleman. He is only 23 years old and barely graduated from university. Due to his youth and character, he is naive and easily falls under the influence of Bazarov. Outwardly, he shares the beliefs of the nihilists, but in his soul, and this is evident later in the plot, he appears as a generous, gentle and very sentimental young man. Over time, the hero himself understands this.

Unlike Bazarov, Arkady loves to talk a lot and beautifully, he is emotional, cheerful and values ​​affection. He believes in marriage. Despite the conflict between fathers and children demonstrated at the beginning of the novel, Arkady loves both his uncle and his father.

Anna Sergeevna Odintsova is an early widowed rich person who at one time married not out of love, but out of calculation, in order to protect herself from poverty. One of the main heroines of the novel loves peace and her own independence. She never loved anyone or became attached to anyone.

For the main characters, she looks beautiful and inaccessible, since she does not reciprocate anyone. Even after the death of the hero, she marries again, and again for convenience.

The widow Odintsova's younger sister, Katya, is very young. She is only 20 years old. Catherine is one of the sweetest and most pleasant characters in the novel. She is kind, sociable, observant and at the same time demonstrates independence and stubbornness, which only beauty the young lady. She comes from a family of poor nobles. Her parents died when she was only 12 years old. Since then she has been raised older sister Anna. Ekaterina is afraid of her and feels awkward under Odintsova’s gaze.

The girl loves nature, thinks a lot, she is direct and not flirtatious.

Father of Arkady (brother of Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov). Widower. He is 44 years old, a completely harmless person and an undemanding owner. He is soft, kind, attached to his son. He is a romantic by nature, he likes music, nature, poetry. Nikolai Petrovich loves a quiet, calm, measured life in the wilderness of the village.

At one time, he married for love and lived happily in marriage until his wife died. During for long years I couldn’t come to my senses after the death of my beloved, but over the years I found love again and it became Fenechka, a simple and poor girl.

A sophisticated aristocrat, 45 years old, Arkady's uncle. At one time he served as a guard officer, but because of Princess R. his life changed. A former socialite, a heartthrob who easily won the love of women. All his life he built in the English style, read newspapers in foreign language, managed business and everyday life.

Kirsanov is a clear supporter liberal views and a man of principles. He is self-confident, proud and mocking. Love knocked him down at one time, and from an amateur noisy companies, he became an ardent misanthrope who avoided human society in every possible way. At heart the hero is unhappy and at the end of the novel he finds himself far from his loved ones.

Analysis of the novel's plot

The main plot of Turgenev's novel, which has become a classic, is Bazarov's conflict with the society in which he found himself by the will of fate. A society that does not support his views and ideals.

The conventional plot of the plot is the appearance of the main character in the Kirsanovs' house. In the course of communication with other characters, conflicts and clashes of views are demonstrated that test Evgeniy’s beliefs for stability. This also happens within the main love line- in the relationship between Bazarov and Odintsova.

The opposition is main reception, which the author used when writing the novel. It is reflected not only in its title and demonstrated in the conflict, but is also reflected in the repetition of the protagonist’s route. Bazarov twice ends up at the Kirsanovs’ estate, twice visits Odintsova, and also returns twice to his parents’ house.

The denouement of the plot is the death of the main character, with which the writer wanted to demonstrate the collapse of the thoughts expressed by the hero throughout the novel.

In his work, Turgenev clearly showed that in the cycle of all ideologies and political disputes there is a large, complex and diverse life, where traditional values, nature, art, love and sincere, deep affections always win.

Kormanovsky Rodion. 10A Class.

Start of Work on the Novel.

The idea for the novel arises from I. S. Turgenev in I860 in the small seaside town of Ventnor, in England. “... It was in the month of August 1860, when the first thought of “Fathers and Sons” came to my mind...” It was a difficult time for the writer. His break with Sovremennik magazine had just occurred. The occasion was an article by N. A. Dobrolyubov about the novel “On the Eve”. I. S. Turgenev did not accept the revolutionary conclusions contained in it. The reason for the gap was deeper: rejection of revolutionary ideas, “the peasant democracy of Dobrolyubov and Chernyshevsky” and their intentions to “call Rus' to the axe.” The novel “Fathers and Sons” was an attempt to comprehend the character and direction of the activities of the “new people,” a type of which was just beginning to emerge in Russian society. “... At the basis of the main figure, Bazarov, lay one personality of a young provincial doctor that struck me. (He died shortly before 1860.) In this wonderful person incarnated - before my eyes - that barely born, still fermenting principle, which later received the name of nihilism. The impression made on me by this person was very strong and at the same time not entirely clear; At first, I myself could not give myself a good account of it - and I listened intensely and looked closely at everything that surrounded me, as if wanting to check the veracity of my own feelings. I was embarrassed by the following fact: in not a single work of our literature did I even see a hint of what I saw everywhere; Involuntarily, a doubt arose: am I chasing a ghost?” - wrote I. S. Turgenev in an article about “Fathers and Sons”.

Sketches

Work on the novel continued in Paris. In September 1860, Turgenev wrote to P.V. Annenkov: “I intend to work with all my might. The plan for my new story is ready down to the smallest detail - and I’m eager to get to work on it. Something will come out - I don’t know, but Botkin, who is here... very much approves of the idea that is the basis. I would like to finish this thing by spring, by April, and bring it to Russia myself.”

Working on a piece.

During the winter, the first chapters were written, but the work is progressing more slowly than expected. Letters from this time constantly contain requests to report news public life Russia, seething on the eve of the greatest event in its history - the abolition of serfdom. To get the opportunity to directly become acquainted with the problems of modern Russian reality, I. S. Turgenev comes to Russia. The writer finished the novel, begun before the reform of 1861, after it in his beloved Spassky. In a letter to the same P.V. Annenkov, he informs about the end of the novel: “My work is finally over. On July 20 I wrote blessed the last word».

In the fall, upon returning to Paris, I. S. Turgenev reads his novel to V. P. Botkin and K. K. Sluchevsky, whose opinion he valued very much. Agreeing and arguing with their judgments, the writer, in his own words, “plows” the text, makes numerous changes and amendments to it. “I corrected and added some things, and in March 1862 “Fathers and Sons” appeared in the “Russian Bulletin” (I. S. Turgenev. “About “Fathers and Sons”).

Afterword.

So, a year and a half after the idea was conceived, the novel “Fathers and Sons” was published on the pages of the February issue of the magazine “Russian Messenger”. I. S. Turgenev dedicated it to V. G. Belinsky

Analysis of the social background against which the novel takes place

Pay attention to the dates in Chapter I, the landscape in Chapter III, Arkady’s conversation with Nikolai Petrovich (ibid.), the evening conversation upon the arrival of friends in Maryino (Chapter IV) and the description of Nikolai Petrovich’s farm.

Teacher

Today we will talk to you about the background of what historical events The action of the novel by I.S. unfolds. Turgenev "Fathers and Sons". Let's turn to the text. Let's read the very first lines: “What, Peter? Not in sight yet? – asked on May 20, 1859... a gentleman of about forty...”

Question

Why does Turgenev need to indicate exactly not only the year, but also the month and even the day when the action begins?

Answer

Turgenev strove for historical accuracy in the transfer of events. But why exactly these, and not other numbers, were taken by the author? 1859 is not a random date. In 1859, the ideological gap between social classes and in relation to peasant question Two points of view emerged - revolutionary and reformist.

Dobrolyubov in the articles of 1859 “Literary trivia of the past year” (NB! Ended in IV, i.e. the April book of Sovremennik) and “What is Oblomovism?” (Book V, “Contemporary”, i.e. May; it was published at the end of the month, hence the twentieth) contrasted the people of the old generation, the noble camp, with the young active generation, and decisively rejected noble culture, putting Onegin, Pechorin, Beltov, Rudin, Oblomov out of one bracket. St. Petersburg students Bazarov and Kirsanov come to Maryino, knowing these articles by the “ruler of the thoughts” of youth, or rather, they were read by the real brothers of Bazarov and Kirsanov in life.

Thus, taking the end of May 1859, Turgenev oriented readers to the fact that the novel shows the time of struggle and the final break social trends: liberal and revolutionary. The time was turbulent, every day brought something new in the struggle, which is why Turgenev was so precise in dates.

Exercise

The contradictions were mainly on the peasant issue. What was still feudal Rus', about which the “fathers” and “sons” argued? Find in the text a description of the estate of the Kirsanov brothers (Chapter III). Read and prove that this is a miniature encyclopedia peasant life. Pay attention to the description of the landscape.

“The places they passed through could not be called picturesque. The fields, all the fields, stretched all the way to the sky, now rising slightly, then falling again; Here and there small forests could be seen, and ravines, dotted with sparse and low bushes, twisted, reminding the eye of their own image on the ancient plans of Catherine’s time. There were rivers with dug-out banks, and tiny ponds with thin dams, and villages with low huts under dark, often half-swept roofs, and crooked threshing sheds with walls woven from brushwood and yawning gates near empty barns, and churches, sometimes brick with plaster that had fallen off here and there, or wooden ones with leaning crosses and ruined cemeteries. Arkady's heart gradually sank. As if on purpose, the peasants were all worn out, on bad nags; roadside willows with stripped bark and broken branches stood like beggars in rags; emaciated, rough, as if gnawed, cows greedily nibbled grass in the ditches. It seemed that they had just escaped from someone’s menacing, deadly claws - and, caused by the pitiful appearance of the exhausted animals, in the midst of the red spring day there arose the white ghost of a bleak, endless winter with its blizzards, frosts and snows... “No,” thought Arkady , - this poor region does not amaze you with either contentment or hard work; it’s impossible, he can’t stay like this, transformations are necessary... but how to carry them out, how to start?..”

Question

What did you notice? What do you think the author wants to emphasize? Why are half of the “roofs” scattered, what do “empty threshing floors” mean, why is it important for Turgenev to mark the ravines in the peasant fields?

Possible answer

A description of the estate of Russian landowners is given. We see destruction and desolation.

Teacher's comment

Thanks to several details, Turgenev manages to show a lot. This is a sign of great and unique talent. You have already encountered a similar skill in Pushkin and Gogol. Turgenev, their student, adopted and implemented their traditions in his own way. Laconism and maximum semantic richness of the details of the picture are the first feature of Turgenev’s style.

Question

Are there any examples in the text that not only in the landscape one feels some kind of desolation, but also in the familiar world? social relations is it collapsing?

Students answer

The novel contains a description of the “farm” of Nikolai Petrovich Kirsanov. (Ch. XXII)

“Meanwhile, life was not going very well in Maryino, and poor Nikolai Petrovich had a bad time. The chores on the farm grew every day - joyless, senseless chores. The fuss with hired workers became unbearable. Some demanded payment or an increase, others left, taking the deposit; horses got sick; the harness burned as if on fire; the work was performed carelessly; The threshing machine ordered from Moscow turned out to be unsuitable due to its heaviness; the other was ruined the first time; half of the barnyard burned down because a blind old woman from the yard in windy weather went with a firebrand to fumigate her cow... however, according to the same old woman, the whole disaster happened because the master decided to make some unprecedented cheeses and milk ospreys.

The manager suddenly became lazy and even began to get fat, like every Russian who finds himself in the “free bread” gets fat. Seeing Nikolai Petrovich from afar, in order to express his zeal, he would throw a piece of wood at a piglet running past or threaten a half-naked boy, but, however, he mostly slept. The men put on quitrent did not pay the money on time and stole the forest; Almost every night the watchmen caught, and sometimes fought, seized peasant horses in the meadows of the “farm”. Nikolai Petrovich set a monetary fine for poisoning, but the matter usually ended with the horses returning to their owners after standing on the master's feed for a day or two. To top it all off, the men began to quarrel among themselves: the brothers demanded division, their wives could not get along in the same house; suddenly a fight broke out, and everyone suddenly rose to their feet, as if on command, everyone ran in front of the porch of the office, climbed up to the master, often with beaten faces, in a drunken state, and demanded trial and punishment; there was a noise, a scream, a woman's whimpering squeal interspersed with men's cursing. It was necessary to sort out the warring parties, shouting until you were hoarse, knowing in advance that it was still impossible to come to the right decision. There were not enough hands for the harvest: a neighboring nobleman, with the most handsome face, ordered to deliver the reapers at two rubles per tithe and cheated in the most unscrupulous way; their women were asking unheard-of prices, and meanwhile the bread was crumbling, and then they couldn’t cope with the mowing, and then the Board of Trustees threatens and demands immediate and arrear-free payment of interest...

I have no strength! - Nikolai Petrovich exclaimed more than once in despair. “It’s impossible to fight on your own, sending for a police officer is not allowed by principles, and without fear of punishment nothing can be done!”

For example, in Chapter IV it is written: “The crowd of servants did not pour out to greet the gentlemen...”. It has long been customary to greet gentlemen with bows and bread and salt. The fact that no one met the landowners is not a good sign. Nikolai Petrovich’s complaints about troubles with the peasants are not exaggerated, Arkady is not deceived about the tension of the moment - the indifference of the servants who arrived is observed with their own eyes.

Exercise

Give examples of new trends of Nikolai Petrovich.

Answer

New trends were felt everywhere. Nikolai Petrovich transferred the peasants from corvee to quitrent, separated himself from them, started a farm, various agricultural machines, introduced hired labor both on the farm and even in his house. The valet Peter “il est libre, en effet”, Nikolai Petrovich pays the clerk from the bourgeoisie 250 rubles a year. Capitalism is entering the countryside, shaking the foundations of serfdom. Nikolai Petrovich talks about upcoming government measures, about committees, deputies... Life confronts landowners with the need to change the way they manage and manage. Expecting reform, Nikolai Petrovich cuts and sells the forest growing on the land, which will go to the peasants. We see such “adaptation” to a new environment even in the kind and almost “red” master.

Question

Do new trends lead to the expected result?

Students give examples from the text

The serfs do not pay their dues; Nikolai Petrovich is also dissatisfied with the hired workers (“they are being beaten up, that’s the problem; well, there is still no real effort. They are spoiling the harness”).

The dissatisfaction of the peasants and their feeling of change, the weakening of their eternal fear of the masters is manifested in the fact that “the crowd of servants did not pour out onto the porch to greet the masters,” and in the fact that Peter, a servant of the “newest, improved” type, carries out Nikolai Petrovich’s orders “ condescendingly” (chapter I), does not approach the young master’s hand, but only bows to him (chapter II).

Exercise

Notice how the old servant behaves towards the landowners?

Answer

The courtyard Prokofich answers respectfully and greets the owners in the form: “He grinned, walked up to Arkady’s handle and, bowing to the guest, retreated to the door and put his hands behind his back” (Chapter IV).

Possible teacher comment

It turns out that there are “fathers” and “sons” among the servants. The persistent emphasis on the fact that the “newest views” have spread to servants, albeit in a caricatured form, once again speaks of changes in the social life of the country.

For writing in notebooks

Summer 1859 - specific historical date, when it became clear to everyone that the “lower classes” did not want, and the “upper classes” could not live in the old way, and therefore the society started talking about the imminent implementation of reforms. Directly related to the question of the poverty of the peasantry is the question of the relationship between peasants and masters before the reform, briefly but expressively posed by Turgenev in the same first chapters. “Transformations are necessary” - this conclusion is heard in every detail of the novel.

Homework

Select material about the Kirsanov brothers.

Repeat the poem by M.Yu. Lermontov's "Duma" for reading by heart. Think about how it relates to the characters in the novel by I.S. Turgenev.

Literature

Vladimir Korovin. Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev. // Encyclopedias for children “Avanta+”. Volume 9. Russian literature. Part one. M., 1999

N.I. Yakushin. I.S. Turgenev in life and work. M.: Russian word, 1998

L.M. Lotman. I.S. Turgenev. History of Russian literature. Volume three. Leningrad: Nauka, 1982. pp. 120 – 160