Turgenev and Nihilism

Turgenev and Nihilism

Nihilism comes from the Latin “nihil,” meaning nothing. Its definitions include

the “rejection of all distinctions in moral value, constituting a willingness to refute all

previous theories of morality,” and “a doctrine among the Russian intelligentsia of the

1860s and 1870s, denying all authority in favor of individualism” (The American

Heritage Dictionary, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1973).

Turgenev introduces Bazarov as a nihilist and mentor to his young friend, Arkady.

Thoroughly immersed in nihilism, Bazarov appears emotionally cold. He rejects natural

feelings and inclinations such as fear, love, and affection. Anything connected with

emotion--art, literature, poetry, music-- Bazarov views as unnecessary. Instead, he

embraces the cold logic and reasoning of the mind. Bazarov coaches his young student,

Arkady, in the aspects and subtitles of nihilism. Arkady, however, sometimes lapses into

“romanticism” and allows his emotions to lead him, for which Bazarov sharply rebukes

him.

Turgenev juxtaposes Bazarov and Arkady to illustrate the tension between

nihilism and romanticism, logic and emotion. As Arkady blooms into a well-adjusted

man, Bazarov becomes increasingly bottled up and unhappy. Nihilism’s characteristic of

emotional repression runs counter to the natural inclinations of the human soul. For most

of the book, Turgenev reveals the “rules” and intricacies of nihilism, and their effects on

Arkady and Bazarov, allowing the reader to form an unbiased opinion. Not until the end

does Turgenev expose his opinion of nihilism.

Nihilists “believe in whatever is useful” (53), explains Bazarov. Art, poetry,

nature, and music are sentimental constructions of the romanti...

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...arov’s parents weep over his

grave. “Can it be that their prayers and their tears are fruitless? Can it be that love,

sacred love, is not all powerful? Nay! However passionate, however sinning and

rebellious the heart that lies buried in the grave, the flowers that grow on it gaze at you

serenely with their innocent eyes. It is not of eternal peace alone they speak to us, of that

great peace of ‘impassive’ nature; they speak to us, too, of eternal reconciliation and the

life everlasting . . . .” (217). Even if repressed, the human soul will eventually manage to

burst free, even if it must wait until death. Bazarov’s cold, dead body represents his

attitudes in life, which rot in the soil. But his heart and soul are nourished for the first

time. Bazarov’s unspoken love, affection, and caring blossom. His soul, like every soul,

will live forever.