Turgenev's Fathers and Sons - Chapter 17

100 Days of Charming Rotten Scoundrels tutorial - Goethe, Pushkin, Lermontov, Turgenev

100 Days of Charming Rotten Scoundrels tutorial - Goethe, Pushkin, Lermontov, Turgenev

February 20 - May 31, 2024

Turgenev's Fathers and Sons

Tuesday, May 21, Chapter 17 - posted on May 22

Next reading assignments:

Wednesday, May 22, Chapter 18 - comment soon

The happy dwelling of the two friends in the orderly household of Odintsova continued for 2 weeks. The aristocratism of it all offended Bazarov’s democratic sentiments - but the friends stayed - precisely because they were having a good time in this orderly world!!!

“She heard him out and replied: "From your point of view, you're correct— perhaps, in this case, I am an aristocratic lady; but in the country it's impossible to live with disorder; the boredom would be overwhelm-ing." And she continued in her own ways. Bazarov complained, but it was precisely because "everything moved along rails" that he and Arkady lived so comfortably in Odintsova's house.”

Another BRILLIANT and LONG paragraph from Turgenev - explaining the complex psychological interplay between the characters!!!

“Nevertheless, a change had occurred in both young men since the first days of their stay at Nikolskoe. Bazarov, toward whom Anna Sergeevna was obviously well-inclined, though shé rarely agreed with him, began to display unprecedented signs of anxiety: he was easily irritated, spoke unwillingly, looked angry, and couldn't sit still, as if he felt provoked; meanwhile Arkady, who'd decided all by himself that he was in love with Odintsova once and for all, began to give way to quiet despondency. This feeling, however, didn't prevent him from drawing closer to Katya; it even helped him establish affectionate, friendly relations with her. "She doesn't appreciate me! So be it! ... But this kind creature doesn't reject me," he thought, and his heart once again experienced the sweetness of magnanimous emo-tion. Katya vaguely understood that he was seeking some consolation in her company; but she didn't deny either him or herself the innocent pleasure of a half-bashful, half-trusting friendship. They didn't talk much in Anna Sergeevna's presence: Katya always retreated under her sister's sharp gaze, while Arkady, as is typical for a person in love when in the presence of his beloved, couldn't pay attention to anything else; but he was only happy with Katya. He felt he wasn't exciting enough to interest Odintsova; he became timid and confused when left alone with her. Nor did she know what to say to him: he was too young for her. On the other hand, Arkady felt at home with Katya; he treated her indulgently, didn't prevent her from expressing those impressions aroused in her by music or reading tales, verse, and other trifles, without noticing or realizing himself that these very trifles interested him as well. For her part, Katya didn't prevent him from feeling despondent.”

And so Arkady walked and talked with Katya and Odintsova with Bazarov - and the two friends started slowly drifting apart…

AND our man without principles is finding himself in a curious position - is he falling IN LOVE?! Experiencing that fluffy romantic feeling he rejected so decisively?!?!?!

“The real cause of all this "newness" was the feeling in Bazarov inspired by Odintsova—a feeling that tormented and enraged him, one that he'd have denied immediately with scornful laughter and cynical abuse, had anyone ever remotely suggested the possibility of…”

Bazarov believes in the science and physiology of sex - but love is so human and individual a feeling - he can’t admit to the possibility of its presence in his life…

“Bazarov was a great lover of women and feminine beauty, but love in the ideal sense, or, as he expressed it, in the romantic sense, he called rubbish or unforgivable stupidity; he considered chivalrous feelings something akin to deformity or disease and had expressed his amazement more than once: why hadn't Toggenburg been locked away in an asylum with all those minstrels and troubadors? "If you like a woman," he used to say, "try to gain your end; if that's impossible-well, never mind, turn your back on her-there's plenty of fish in the sea." He liked Odintsova: the rumors circulating about her, the freedom and independence of her thought, her indisputable fondness for him—all this, it seemed, was in his favor; but he soon realized that with her he wouldn't "gain his end"; to his own amazement, however, he lacked the strength to turn his back on her.”

Oh dear… oh dear… oh dear… This man is ON FIRE!!!

“His blood caught fire as soon as he thought about her; he could've easily coped with his blood, but something else had taken root in him that he'd never been able to admit, something he'd always mocked, something that irritated his pride. In conversations with Anna Sergeevna he expressed even more strongly than before his careless contempt of everything romantic; but when left alone he acknowledged with indignation the romantic in himself. At such times he headed for the woods and walked with long strides, breaking any branches that got in his way, cursing both her and himself under his breath; or else he took to the hayloft in the barn and, stubbornly closing his eyes, forced himself to sleep, which, naturally, he couldn't always do. He imagined those chaste arms wrapping around his neck, those proud lips responding to his kisses, those clever eyes coming to rest on his with tenderness-yes, tenderness-and his head would start spinning; for a moment he'd forget where he was until his indignation would flare up once again. He caught himself having all sorts of "shameful" thoughts, as if the devil were teasing him. Sometimes it seemed to him that a change was also taking place in Odintsova, that something special had appeared in her expression, that perhaps... But at this point he usually stamped his foot or clenched his teeth and shook a fist in his own face.”

And Anna?!?!?! Bazarov is an event in her life!!! Chivalrous but distant Swedes are one thing - but flesh and blood thrilling social rebels in your own house are ever so much more dangerous!!!

“Meanwhile, Bazarov wasn't entirely mistaken. He'd appealed to Odintsova's imagination; he interested her and she thought about him a great deal. She wasn't bored in his absence and didn't wait for him to come, but his appearance enlivened her at once; she willingly remained alone with him and gladly conversed with him, even when he angered her or offended her taste, her elegant habits. It was as if she wished to test him and come to know herself.”

But separation looms - Bazarov’s ever patient parents send a peasant scout in his direction - and the encounter is HILARIOUS!!!

“Timofeich, who used to take care of him. This Timofeich, an experienced and clever old man with faded yellow hair, a weather-beaten reddish face, and tiny teardrops in his squinting eyes, had appeared before Bazarov unexpectedly, wearing his shortish coat of thick blue-gray cloth, tied with a leather belt, and tarred boots.

"Ah, hello, old man," cried Bazarov.

"Good day, Evgeny Vasilevich, sir," the old fellow began with a broad grin, so that his whole face was covered in wrinkles.

"What're you doing here? Have they sent for me, or what?"

"For goodness sake, sir, how could we?" Timofeich muttered (recalling the strict orders he'd received from his master before departure). "I was on my way to town on the master's business and heard you were here, sir, so I turned in along the way, that is—to have a look at you, sir... how could we think of disturbing you?"

"Come on now, don't lie," Bazarov said, interrupting him. "The road to town doesn't pass anywhere near here." Timofeich hesitated and made no reply.

"Is father well?"

"Thank God, sir."

"And mother?"

"And Arina Vlasevna, glory be to God."

"I suppose they're waiting for me?"

The old man leaned his small head to one side.

"Ah, Evgeny Vasilevich, I'll say they're waiting, sir! So help me God, my heart aches just looking at your parents."

And the faithful Timofeich started walking not to town - which supposedly was his real destination - but home… Bazarov has to go…

The old princess is overjoyed the “new wild-looking” guests are leaving - but Anna is devastated… What about chemistry lessons?!?!?! Bazarov suggests she read a book… The rest of the chapter is the most thrilling of the novel - Turgenev knows the art of seduction well…

“He looked at her. She'd rested her head on the back of the armchair and folded her arms, bare to the elbow, across her chest. She seemed pale in the light of one lamp covered by a perforated paper shade. Her ample white dress hid her completely beneath its gentle folds; her legs were crossed, and the ends of her feet could hardly be seen.”

Why stay? Bazarov wants to know… What’s in it for me?!?!?! She will miss him - she will be bored without him - does he need a greater confession?!?!?!

The sheer thrill of Bazarov, with trembling hands, pushing a window open…

“Bazarov stood up and pushed the window. It flew open with a loud noise... He hadn't expected it to move so easily; besides, his hands were trembling. The soft, dark night peered into the room with its almost black sky, its lightly rustling trees, and the fresh aroma of pure, free air.

"Lower the curtain and sit down," Odintsova said. "I’d like to talk to you before you leave. Tell me something about yourself; you never talk about yourself."”

And once again - a glaring translation error…

“Все это нисколько не занимательно, -- произнес он вслух, -- особенно для вас; мы люди темные...”

Michael Katz:

"All that isn't the least bit interesting," he said aloud, "especially for you; you and I are somber people…”

This suggests similarities between Anna and Bazarov - but in the original he is using the “royal we” - meaning he is being sarcastic about himself - saying that he is different from her - that he is unenlightened and boorish by comparison…

Possible translation:

“All this is not the least entertaining,” he said aloud, "especially for you; we (Royal we - meaning I) are boorish folk…”

Ah, Bazarov!!! Perceptive and cleaver reader of a human heart - not as cynical as he wants us to believe he is - delving into the mystery of an individual human heart!!!

"I don't know you well," replied Bazarov. "Perhaps you're right; perhaps it's true that every person's a mystery. Take you, for example: you avoid society, feel oppressed by it-yet you've invited two students to visit you here. Why, with your intellect and beauty, do you choose to live in the country?"

Harsh words - yet he gets to the core:

“I suppose you choose to remain in one place because you've spoiled yourself, because you love comfort and convenience a great deal, and you're indifferent to all the rest."

Once again - a glaring translation error…

“Ну, теперь я понимаю, почему мы сошлись с вами; ведь и вы такой же, как я.”

“Мы сошлись...” глухо промолвил Базаров.”

Michael Katz:

"Really? Well, now I can understand why we've become friends; you're just like me."

"Become friends..." Bazarov repeated hollowly.

“Мы сошлись” means “we encountered each other” or “we became close” - NOT “we became friends”!!! This is such a nuanced conversation - and calling them friends is disturbing the essence of Anna’s approach to Bazarov. Here Turgenev is also referencing a line from Eugene Onegin where Pushkin describes the encounter of Onegin and Lensky:

“Они сошлись. Волна и камень,

Стихи и проза, лед и пламень

Не столь различны меж собой.”

“They met. Water and stone,

Poetry and prose, ice and flame

Were not more different than they.”

It’s the same expression - “Они сошлись” literally means “they met,” “they encountered each other,” “they a-jolted,” “they were thrust into each other’s company” - NOT “they became friends”…

Anna is stating that they became interested in each other precisely because they are similar in their uniqueness, in their standing out from their own social circles - NOT that they are friends!!! Makes a HUGE difference!!!

A possible translation:

“Well, now I understand why we became close; since you are exactly just like me.”

“We became close…” Bazarov uttered hollowly.

And then - lightning strikes the room!!!

“Odintsova didn't move a muscle, but a secret excitement was gradually overtaking her... It was communicated to Bazarov. He suddenly felt he was all alone with a beautiful young woman…”

What does Anna want?!?!?!

“I have no desire, no will to live. You're looking at me incredulously and thinking: here's an 'aristocrat' speaking, all dressed up in lace, sitting on a velvet armchair. I'm not hiding anything: I love what you call comfort, and at the same time I have little desire to live. Explain that contradiction as best you can. Besides, in your eyes it's all romanticism." Bazarov shook his head.

"You're healthy, independent, rich; what else is there? What do you want?"

"What do I want?" Odintsova repeated and sighed. "I feel very tired and old; it seems as if I've been living for a long time. Yes, I'm old," she added, gently pulling the ends of her mantilla over her bare arms. Her eyes met Bazarov's and she blushed slightly.

"There're so many memories behind me: life in Petersburg, wealth, then poverty, my father's death, marriage, then a trip abroad, just as it should be ... Many memories, but nothing to remember, while ahead of me-a long, long path, but no goal…”

She is seeking fulfillment, satisfaction, she needs meaning in her life!!! Remember this when we are reading The Idiot and discussing the character of Aglaya!!!

"Are you that disenchanted?" Bazarov asked.

"No," Odintsova replied slowly and deliberately, "but I'm not satisfied. It seems that if I could form a strong attachment to something ..."

"You want to fall in love," Bazarov said, interrupting her, "but you can't: that explains your unhappiness."

Odintsova began examining the sleeves of her mantilla.

"Is it true I can't fall in love?" she asked.

"Hardly! But I wouldn't have called that unhappiness. On the contrary, a person to whom it happens is more deserving of pity."

"What happens?"

"Falling in love."

"How do you know that?"

"By hearsay," Bazarov replied angrily.

"You're flirting," he thought, "you're bored and teasing me because you've nothing better to do, while I.." His heart was about to burst.”

Poor Bazarov!!! He can’t approach her - and yet, there she is, confessing her desire to fall in love!!! And Anna is too dangerous to love - she demands too much - a life for a life - all engulfing love - all or nothing!!! The tension between these two reaches unbearable levels:

"Besides, perhaps you're too demanding," he said, leaning his whole body forward and playing with the fringe on the chair.

"Perhaps. In my opinion, it's either all or nothing. A life for a life. You take mine, you give up yours, without regrets, without turning back. Or else, why bother?"

"Well," remarked Bazarov, "those are fair conditions. But I'm surprised that up to now... you haven't found what you're looking for."

"Do you think it's easy to surrender yourself completely to whatever you want?"

"Not easy if you begin to reflect, waiting and assigning value to yourself, that is, appreciating yourself; but if you don't reflect, then it's easy to surrender yourself."

"How can you help but appreciate yourself? If I have no value, then who needs my devotion?"

"That's not really my business; it's someone else's job to determine my value. The main thing is, you must know how to surrender yourself."

Odintsova leaned forward in her chair.

"Don't talk like that," she began, "as if you've experienced it all."

"Incidentally, Anna Sergeevna: you should know that all this isn't in my line."

"But you'd know how to surrender yourself?"

"I don't know; I don't want to boast."

Odintsova didn't say anything and Bazarov fell silent. The sounds of the piano reached them from the drawing room.

And just like that the intimacy is broken…

"Why's Katya playing so late?" Odintsova inquired.

Bazarov stood up.

"Yes, it really is late and time for you to get some rest."

And we leave an entire world of brooding, lonely, unhappy humans… Good night, raging individuals, all so unique in your inimitable miseries - yet so recognizably human…

“Her braid became undone and curled around her shoulder like a dark snake. A lamp remained lit for a long time in Anna Sergeevna's room, and she remained motionless for a long time, only occasionally rubbing her hands, which were being lightly nipped by the cold night air.

Meanwhile, two hours later, Bazarov returned to his room, his boots damp from the dew, looking disheveled and dismal. He found Arkady at the writing table with a book in his hands, his jacket buttoned up to his neck.

"You still haven't gone to bed?" he asked, as if annoyed.

"You were with Anna Sergeevna a long time today," Arkady said, without replying to his question.

"Yes, I was with her all the while you and Katya Sergeevna were playing the piano."

"I wasn't playing," Arkady began and then fell silent. He felt tears welling up in his eyes and didn't want to cry in front of his sarcastic friend.”

Another long post - now on to Chapter 18!!!

Karl Bryullov (1799-1852) - again!!! Portrait of the Princess Elizabeth Saltykov, 1841, The State Russian Museum, Saint Petersburg. What a languid, mesmerizing portrait!!! So evocative of a deep inner spiritual and emotional longing!!!