Nihilism In Fathers And Children By Ivan Turgenev

Bazarov: Proof that even a Nihilist can’t reject fate

In the book Fathers and Children by Ivan Turgenev, the author introduces the reader to a character named Bazarov. Bazarov is often thought of as the main figure in the novel. He follows the idea of "nihilism". A nihilist is someone who only accepts things that have been scientifically proven and doesn’t believe everything that society tells them. The basic principle of being a nihilist is to negate everything which is impossible for a human being to do. Nihilism is a concept that no moral human being can follow as it is human nature to have feelings of love and compassion. As stated in the book., “He considered it his obligation to conceal his emotions. It was not for nothing he
This is the very reason why he sees no need to have interest for it. .For instance Pavel asks Bazarov if he acknowledges art and Bazarov sarcastically replies “The art of making money or curing hemorrhoids.” This means that Bazarov doesn’t believe in art . Bazarov knowing that dance is also a form of art also doesn’t dance when he goes to the ball. Bazarov believes art is unimportant and doesn’t help society in anyway and feels that there are bigger issues in society that can’t be solved by art. Therefore he sees no need to have interest for it. However the art of love and dance is what keeps people sane and humane. The reason behind Bazarov having these nihilistic views is the flaws in society. The believing in nothing doesn’t help society and the belief in nothing is a belief in itself. For instance Bazarov says “ I don’t share any opinions: I have my own.”(56). But an opinion is a belief. He believes that love and emotions are meaningless to the larger scale. This larger scale is prevailed when Bazarov comes face to face with something that is impossible to reject,