Women's images in the novel "Fathers and Sons": semantic and artistic significance

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The novel "Fathers and Sons" is always considered as anti-nihilistic or a novel about the dispute of generations. At the same time, the images of Arkady Kirsanov, Pavel Petrovich and Bazarov are attracted to the analysis. Few people consider female images. In Turgenev's novel "Fathers and Sons" their role is quite significant. In total, we see five main images in the novel: Fenechka, Odintsova, her sister, mother Bazarova Arina Vlasyevna and Kukshina.

Evdoksia Kukshina

Female images in the novel "Fathers and Sons" perform different functions. Evdoksia Kukshina at first sight cannot cause anything but antipathy. First, she is casually dressed, untidy, with disheveled hair. Secondly, she behaves defiantly. She seems to know nothing about decorum. But most of all, her desire to appear advanced and advanced revolts. She pretends to be versed in all areas of modern science and philosophy. In fact, her knowledge is superficial. Bazarov sees this immediately. Her friend Sitnikov is as pathetic as she is. These two heroes are pseudo-nihilists. Turgenev attracts the image of Kukshina in order to reducethe level of perception of nihilism as a direction. If such are its representatives, how far will they go? Even Bazarov himself begins to doubt the correctness of his beliefs. People like Kukshina and Sitnikov can undermine the authority of any doctrine. How powerfully the image of the omnipresent, babbling nonsense Kukshina contrasts with the noble figure of Odintsova.

Anna Odintsova

Evgeny Bazarov met her at a ball in the city. If we classify the female images in the novel "Fathers and Sons" by significance, then the image of Odintsova should take first place. She impresses with her grace, calmness, royal posture. Her eyes are full of intelligence. That is why Bazarov immediately draws attention to her. However, later the reader is convinced that Odintsova's coldness is not only external, she is also too rational in reality. So, Bazarov, a cynic who denies all attachments between people, falls in love. He talks for a long time with Odintsova, finds smart thoughts in her speeches, he is really interested in this woman. Odintsova reveals an internal conflict in the soul of the protagonist; from this point of view, her image is very significant. Bazarov's mind comes into conflict with his feelings. Nihilism fails, ideas turn out to be wrong.

Why didn't their relationship work out? All female images in the novel by I. S. Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons" are interesting and mysterious. In general, Turgenev paid special attention to the depiction of psychology and the female soul. In response to Bazarov's confession, Odintsova states that hemisunderstood her. And then he thinks to himself: "God knows what this could lead to." Her peace is dearer to her. She was too reasonable, afraid of feelings. And Bazarov, in turn, was afraid of feelings.

Arina Vlasyevna

The idyll of Bazarov's parents also clearly shows the failure of his idea. Mother loves her "Enyusha" excessively, tries in every possible way to surround him with love. The image of this elderly woman seems very touching. She is afraid that her son will be offended by her warmth, she does not know how to behave with him, she is careful with every word, but sometimes her mother’s heart cannot be appeased and Arina Vlasyevna begins to lament near her smart and talented son, whom she is sincerely proud of. Perhaps Eugene cannot stay at home for a long time precisely because of the love of Arina Vlasyevna. Always uncompromising and tough, he is afraid that he will melt from maternal caresses, indulge in unnecessary romanticism.

Baubles

Female images in the novel "Fathers and Sons" are opposite to each other. I can't believe that Fenechka can be in the same space with Kukshina and Odintsova. She is shy, quiet and fearful. She is a caring mother. Unwittingly, Fenechka becomes a grain of contention between Pavel Petrovich and Bazarov, the last straw of patience. The scene in the gazebo becomes the reason that Pavel Petrovich challenges Yevgeny to a duel. And the duel demonstrates the author's assessment: the characters are similar, because of the similarity they hate each other. Therefore, their duel is comical and similar to a farce.

Katya Odintsova

This is Odintsova's younger sister. Against the background of Anna, she seems less interesting, overly modest and inconspicuous. However, over time, spiritual strength is revealed in this sweet girl. She gives vital energy to Arkady, he can finally express his opinion and do as his heart tells him. Together, Arkady and Katya create a family, such a relationship that both dreamed of. After all, Arkady was initially too different from Eugene, he was simply seduced by his mind, knowledge, strength of character. Katya is a female image that confirms the original thought of the author.

Female images in the novel "Fathers and Sons" (conclusions)

The author uses several heroines to express his opinion. For example, Kukshina shows how Turgenev treated nihilism. In his opinion, by and large, useless and empty people were carried away by this direction. The female images in Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons" also complicate the conflict by adding action to it. Here, first of all, Fenechka should be called. As for Irina Vlasyevna and Anna Odintsova, they are called upon to reflect the internal conflict in Bazarov's soul. Katya, among other Turgenev heroines, is the embodiment of beauty and simplicity. In general, all the female images in the novel give it artistic completeness and integrity.