English Literature Essay Example

ability to restrain and submit herself. She also notes that women should not deviate from their refined character or tarnish the delicacy associated with their sex.

Lady Catherine De Bourgh embodies the patriarchal society as a patronizing upper-class snob who judges everyone based on manners and decorum. She represents a stock comic figure and adopts More's philosophy about young women which emphasizes the importance of habitual restraint in ensuring their peace and establishing their principles. This philosophy involves a judicious, unrelaxing but steady, and gentle curb on their tempers and passions.

According to the author, it is essential for girls to develop a submissive and forbearing attitude, which involves learning to distrust their own judgement, not complaining when criticized, and getting used to facing opposition. In fact, the acquisition of such traits is crucial for their happiness, both in the present and future. Mary Bennet, who is Elizabeth's sister and more physically attractive, exemplifies this delicacy that characterizes women.

In conformity with More's notion of womanhood, Mary's passivity aligns her with the ideal of a submissive and domestic woman. Her belief that reason should guide every impulse of feeling further reinforces this alignment. Charlotte Lucas, on the other hand, comes from a middle-class family and is neither attractive nor plain. Though lacking in talent, More's assertion that the world is a stage for the sober exercise of fortitude, temperance, meekness, diligence, and self-denial applies to her as well.

. The grandeur of existence is not equivalent to a magnificent love story.

[However,] Charlotte recounts her beliefs and experiences in a genuine historical account, which contains several tedious, ambiguous, and unappealing pages. Growing older, she adopts

a practical attitude towards marriage where accepting Mr. Collins' proposal means submitting to the idea that life is not a magnificent fairytale. Charlotte's assertion that "the happiness of marriage is entirely a matter of chance" closely mirrors More's declaration.

Charlotte's negative view of marriage is strengthened as she asserts "I am not a romantic person, ever have been. I simply desire a cozy home." These reserved and proper personas are ridiculed by Austen's satire.

Elizabeth Bennet, the novel's female protagonist, is an attractive, witty, and outspoken character who catches the attention of Fitzwilliam Darcy with her lively mind. Throughout the novel, Elizabeth shows her independence and disregard for social norms. For instance, she travels alone through muddy countryside to care for her sister Jane and is not concerned with jeopardizing her femininity.

Despite her mother's desires, Elizabeth rejects Mr. Collins' proposal and he accuses her of doing so simply for the sake of propriety. However, Elizabeth implores him to see her as a genuine and sincere individual, rather than an elegant yet bothersome woman. Elizabeth consistently challenges societal expectations of femininity.

The embodiment of Mary Wollstencraft's feminist ideals can be found in Elizabeth. As depicted in Ivan Turgenev's classic novel Fathers and Sons, the genesis of the radical movement in Russia was a shock that resounded throughout the public sphere, effecting change in families and society. Historian Daniel Brower argues in {em Training the Nihilists: Education and Radicalism in Tsarist Russia} that the movement not only transformed the lives of university students who were recruited, but also the surrounding society by providing a legitimate space for counter-cultural activity. Brower further posits that recruits were primarily enticed by the recruitment

process, which proved to be crucial to the movement's ultimate success, rather than by ideological considerations.

The key worry of radical journalists who shaped the intellectual direction of the movement was that much of their writing was too complex for potential recruits to comprehend.

. . Collective recruitment of radicals on a large scale could not be achieved solely through rational analysis. The influence of family, peers, church, and state all acted together to discourage collective resistance. .

Although some dissenting radicals followed an intellectual path, it seems that the school of dissent was the main force that enabled the massive recruitment into the radical movement between the years 1860 and 1870, according to Brower (18-19). As a realist novel, Fathers and Sons attempts to present various aspects of its historical setting, including taboo subjects, in an unbiased manner.

It is possible that Turgenev's portrayal of Bazarov would somewhat align with a historian's depiction of an average radical. While three of the four young characters in Fathers and Sons seem to fit Brower's explanation, Bazarov appears to be somewhat different from the others at first glance. Despite seeming completely rational and unaffected by societal pressures, Bazarov is frequently influenced by social expectations and concerned about how he is perceived. Consistent examination reveals that numerous of his actions are motivated by a desire to please others and make a favorable impression, indicating that he has refined these abilities.

The first impression is that Bazarov, who embraces the intellectual philosophy of "nihilism," a term coined by Turgenev to describe the beliefs of the radical movement, is an independent thinker. While some refer to this group as the more positive term

"intelligentsia," Brower opts for "radicals" in order to avoid controversy. For clarity's sake, I will use both "radicalism" and "nihilism" interchangeably.

In his book Fathers and Sons, Ivan Turgenev describes Nihilism as a belief system that combines empiricism, utilitarianism, positivism, and materialism. Bazarov, a character in the book who subscribes to Nihilism, goes so far as to reject logic during his second argument with Pavel Kirsanov. (Ivan Turgenev, Fathers and Sons, trans. and ed. Michael R. Katz (New York: Norton, 1996), 37-42) Parenthetical citations for this edition will be used throughout the text.

Throughout the book, the protagonist demonstrates a distinct preference for "scientific" concepts while dismissing other ideas as "nonsense" or "romanticism" (e.g. 20--1, 26, 35, 51). By utilizing this broad collection of "scientific philosophies" to define Bazarov's radical beliefs, the character can be compared to Brower's portrayal of the typical student activist while also highlighting the discrepancy between his professed attitudes and his actual behavior. To prevent questions about changes in Bazarov's character over the course of the novel, evidence will be limited to his personality traits before his visit to Odintsova's estate.

The main focus of this essay is Bazarov's motivation for becoming a radical during his time at university, with no relevance placed on his subsequent development. The reader is introduced to Arkady, Sitnikov and Kukshina, who all fit Brower's description of radicals perfectly. The description of a reading circle at Kukshina's home bears striking resemblance to Brower's depiction of a typical circle. According to Brower, students would join these circles not only to discuss recent intellectual theories, but also for the informal environment in which personal issues could be discussed with some

level of emotion. Police records from the time describe these circles as having an often-confused atmosphere where revolutionary themes and songs were frequently discussed. (Note: Although there is potential for interesting speculation on Bazarov's character based on his interactions with Odintsova and reactions to subsequent events, this topic is left up to the reader.)The participants enthusiastically received the toasts made to the French republic, success of the red flag, and revolution in general, as stated in Brower's account (196). The gathering at Kukshina's house was chaotic, with Sitnikov expressing complete and utter contempt towards women.

"None of them could comprehend our dialogue, and they aren't even worth discussing among intellectuals like us," remarked one individual. "However, it's unnecessary for them to comprehend our exchange," replied Bazarov.

During a conversation, Kukshina asked Bazarov if he agreed with Proudhon's opinion. Bazarov responded with an arrogant tone, stating that he did not share anyone's opinions and had his own. Sitnikov interjected with enthusiasm, declaring "Down with authorities!" and "Down with Macaulay!" when Kukshina mentioned the author's name. This exchange exemplified the characters' superficial and frivolous banter, as they dropped numerous names and invoked authorities without any meaningful intellectual discourse. (53)

Both settings, where Bazarov and his "disciples" Arkady and Sitnikov interact, are characterized by chaos and a fixation on appearing radical rather than engaging in intellectual exchange. Bazarov's social influence on his followers extends beyond his ideas, causing them to consciously evaluate themselves based on his beliefs. Sitnikov's behavior exemplifies this attitude as he seeks Bazarov's attention and credits him for his own "regeneration" upon their first meeting. Similarly, Arkady exhibits a self-conscious focus on radical ideas, including concealing his emotions

because of his nihilist beliefs. Even Arkady's comment to his father about the importance of Bazarov, despite their short acquaintance, reflects the level of confidence he has invested in Bazarov.

Arkady's comment to Bazarov's father that "a great future awaits [Bazarov]" (95) may give too much credit to Bazarov's personal qualities rather than his ideas. It is evident that Arkady admires Bazarov's personality; however, it should be pointed out that Arkady does not dress like most radicals and expresses annoyance with Bazarov at times (e.g.

)

According to Brower's description (33--34), three out of four young people in this book are considered typical radicals. However, it is uncertain whether Bazarov conforms to the radical image. To assess his conformity, we can evaluate his demographics, physical appearance, and reasons for joining the radical movement. This includes determining if his radical beliefs were developed independently or if he was mainly concerned with fitting into the radical community. Nevertheless, it is challenging to make a definite judgment about Bazarov's motivations as it pertains to human behavior.

The question about the motives of radicals is complex as they purposefully presented themselves as socially deviant. According to Brower, their clothing was chosen to set them apart from their peers. This desire for a distinct appearance was due to their unique social position (16). Therefore, when Bazarov declares, "I don't share anyone's opinion: I have my own!" (53), it could be a genuine statement of ideological independence or a manifestation of his desire for originality. To avoid ambiguity, one should look for signs that Bazarov is concerned about others' perceptions of him, even if he intentionally defies mainstream societal norms.

Upon examination of

Bazarov's behavior, it becomes apparent that he possesses a desire to be accepted by his peers, contradicting the notion that he is simply a solitary intellectual. This desire for acceptance is indicative of his concern for his social role. Bazarov's adeptness in the pursuit of acceptance further solidifies this assertion. Brower's classification of nihilists aligns well with Bazarov's background; his father was a doctor and thus part of the "honorary nobility," while his ancestors were upwardly mobile, including his paternal grandfather who was a peasant (Brower 39, 44).

According to Brower, while hereditary nobility were better represented within the radical movement than students, there were still a fair amount of students involved. Bazarov, a character in the novel, was a student at the medical school which was a hub for radicalism. This is also reflected in literature such as Chernyshevsky's {em What is to be Done?} where medical students were used as models for the "New People". Bazarov stood out from those around him due to his Slavophile jacket, long hair, side whiskers and "lazy" voice (6). When he didn't offer his hand immediately to Nikolai Kirsanov, Arkady explained that Bazarov was "simple" and not one to stand on ceremony (7). Therefore, Bazarov's appearance and manner aligned with Brower's portrayal of radicals (Brower 16).

(Footnote: A significant point to mention is that although Brower characterizes radicals as typically wearing working-class attire like coveralls, Bazarov's long tasselled jacket serves the same purpose of expressing solidarity with the Russian people and making a bold statement.)When analyzing Bazarov's motives for joining the radical movement, it is important to consider his awareness of social dynamics as an indicator of whether

he was truly a solitary intellectual. According to Brower and other sources, typical radicals prioritize social issues over ideology and exhibit a strong sense of social consciousness (Brower 18-19). Initially, Bazarov appears awkward and inadvertently overshadows others, like when he interrupts Arkady's conversation with his father to request a light for his pipe (11). However, he also commands attention with his formidable intellect, which is evident from the "prominent bulges" on his head (6). With the exception of Odintsova, Bazarov consistently prevails in arguments by using fewer words than his opponents, as Arkady laments (35).

During an argument with Bazarov, Pavel becomes visibly intimidated as indicated by his trembling lip (37). Bazarov's lack of tact and ability to use social situations to his advantage becomes apparent several times throughout the text. He persists in pushing his points with Arkady, even when Arkady has become angry, such as when he criticizes Arkady's father's lack of practicality (14), mocks the fact that Arkady's father plays the cello at the age of 44 (34), and comments on the poor state of the family's farm (33). Bazarov also continuously demeans Arkady on points of disagreement with leading statements like "So you still attach significance to marriage; I never expected that from you" (33).

It is clear that Arkady has a low tolerance for these remarks, raising the question of why he desired Bazarov's friendship. Bazarov's treatment of Pavel and Arkady is confusing initially, suggesting either unfamiliarity with debate or lack of concern for their opinions. The former option is improbable, given Bazarov's success in persuading at least two followers. The latter option is more plausible, as Bazarov may consider Pavel a

hopeless case and take Arkady's loyalty for granted.

In this passage, we get an explanation of how Turgenev uses Arkady and Pavel to contrast with Bazarov. Arkady acts as a loyal friend who stays by Bazarov's side despite any mistreatment. Meanwhile, Pavel represents the culture of the 1840s, promoting Sentimentalism, but not fully committed to it. Formerly a socialite, Pavel would have played the role that Bazarov now occupies. This parallel between them causes intense competition, with Pavel becoming insecure about his status and Bazarov's opinions of him. The numerous similarities between Bazarov and Pavel would offer abundant material for further exploration. (Note: and their contents have been retained.)

As the book progresses, more similarities between the two characters emerge, including their tragic love for an enigmatic woman. Despite showing tact towards those he respects but disagrees with, Bazarov views Nikolai Kirsanov as a pleasant man with overly romantic tendencies. Recommendations are made to alter Nikolai's behavior indirectly, encouraging him to read the materialist book {em Kraft und Stoff} over Pushkin. Bazarov selects social encounters selectively, choosing to visit Odintsova who intrigues him despite his promise to return home. Bazarov's approach isn't universally socially awkward but, rather, he decides which individuals are deserving of his tact and behaves accordingly; his desire for Odintsova even played a role in this decision.

Despite seeming unnecessary, the rationing of diplomacy exhibited by Bazarov demonstrates his social savvy beyond expectations, perhaps intentionally cultivating an image of independence from social norms. This perception of Bazarov as a solitary intellectual is reinforced by his tendency to reduce everything to a rational basis. Even regarding love, he utilizes a physiological explanation and criticizes Pavel's

inability to rationally overcome his emotions when denied the woman he truly loved.

Throughout the novel, Bazarov objectifies women, treating beauty as an objective measure of their usefulness. He remarks on meeting two females, "There was only one pretty girl" (32). He sees no point in visiting Kukshina if she is not good-looking (49), and claims that "women free-thinkers" are all "ugly monsters" (58). Even after conversing with her, he describes Odintsova as having "a delectable body --- perfect for the dissecting table" (61) and tells Arkady that Katya is the real prize because she is "fresh, unspoiled, timid, taciturn, anything you like" (67). While these comments are supposedly based on rational reasoning, they actually reveal Bazarov's desires for these women, contradicting his supposed ultra-rationalist persona. Footnote: This is a foreshadowing of Bazarov's eventual loss of interest when he is rebuffed by Odintsova.On closer examination of Bazarov's supposed "rational" standard, it becomes evident that it is merely a reflection of his own preferences. However, Bazarov's sensitivities towards the complexities of human existence contradict his claim of intellectual autonomy. Others find him charming, and he is able to apply social skills whenever necessary.

Bazarov's social savvy suggests that he is not a solitary intellectual, but rather accustomed to being part of a social circle. According to Brower, radicals often joined reading groups not necessarily for ideological reasons, but rather to seek camaraderie while away from home (Brower 192). For example, when a radical was away from university, they might seek acceptance without discrimination based on ideology, hoping for companionship even from non-radicals. Bazarov's ability to attract others is undeniable. Although Arkady has not known him for very long,

he tells his father, "I can't tell you how much I value [Bazarov's] friendship."

According to the passage, Fenechka's son Mitya, who is usually shy around strangers, shows no fear towards Bazarov. The servants in the Kirsanov household treat him like one of their own. Even Dunyasha, a young servant girl, flirts with him. It appears that Bazarov also holds an attraction for various women. Odintsova comments that he is the only guest at the ball who interests her. Kukshina pays him special attention, even suggesting that the group discuss love.

Bazarov's bedroom in the Kirsanov household becomes filled with a mixture of medical-surgical odors and cheap tobacco, embodying his essence (26). Despite unbecoming situations, Bazarov maintains grace and adapts his behavior to fit social norms. For instance, he alters his personality and manners to charm the admired Fenechka, saying things he would typically criticize others for. He even acknowledges her superstitions with good-natured humor, assuring her he has not given anyone the evil eye after complimenting Mitya's appearance (32). Bazarov echoes her statement about being in good health "thank God" before beginning his next sentence (32).

It appears that Bazarov, despite his low opinion of women's intelligence, knows that he can earn Fenechka's respect by echoing her beliefs. This decision was driven by his desire for her, rather than rational thinking. One morning during his visit, Bazarov encounters the Kirsanov men while covered in mud and carrying a writhing bag. Despite this awkward situation, he manages to smooth things over with a greeting worthy of Pavel Kirsanov and impresses both the men and the women he encounters. While there are moments of regret, Bazarov is

concerned with how he is perceived by others and desires respect from both radicals and non-radicals alike, as seen in his interactions with those he wishes to impress.

Bazarov's sensitivity to how others perceive him is evident in various situations. During his argument with Pavel Kirsanov, his face becomes flushed, and he realizes that he needs to limit himself to concise responses. At Kukshina's, he focuses more on the champagne than the conversation, but he becomes defensive when someone challenges his status as an independent thinker. In his first encounter with Odintsova, Bazarov is initially attracted to her physical appearance and makes suggestive comments to Arkady. However, he feels embarrassed during their meeting, which deviates from his usual interactions. Bazarov recognizes the importance of controlling how he is perceived by others.

In Chapter 16 of the novel, "Fathers and Sons," Bazarov's behavior towards Odintsova shows a significant change from his usual demeanor. Despite initially teasing her with the statement, "Afraid of a woman!", which implies that he sees her as weak and inferior (59), Bazarov attempts to impress her by discussing botany and other scientific topics, instead of engaging in his usual controversial debates regarding nihilism (60). When it is time for him to depart, Bazarov exhibits uncharacteristic behavior by blushing and bowing to Odintsova (61). This contrast in his attitude and actions towards Odintsova, compared to his treatment of Fenechka, implies a level of respect for Odintsova's intellect and a lack of condescension towards her.

In this instance, Bazarov departs from his usual treatment of women, indicating that social context and objectives can surpass ideology. Bazarov tailors his approach to Odintsova to achieve his objective of

winning her over, rather than being motivated by his intellectual beliefs on how an interaction with a woman should proceed, as voiced in his exchange with Sitnikov mentioned earlier. This encounter contradicts Bazarov's prior assertion that "People are like trees in a forest; no botanist would study each birch individually." (64), implying that Bazarov might hold an opposing viewpoint.

(footnote - This comment is representative of Bazarov's views and occurs during his first conversation while visiting Odintsova's estate. However, it is also typical of his overall beliefs.) The realist novel Fathers and Sons aims to portray its young characters as a historian would depict a radical in the historical context. Upon comparing Turgenev's portrayal with Brower's description, it becomes evident that all four young characters closely resemble their historical prototype. Although Bazarov appears to be more committed to radicalism than his peers, further scrutiny reveals that he is still susceptible to social pressure. Despite attempting to present himself as purely intellectual and unaffected by such influences, many of his actions seem motivated by a desire for approval from others with little regard for their ideology.

Bazarov seems to choose his romantic partners based on his desire, as seen in how he tries hard to impress women. Despite presenting himself as a rationalist, his extreme sensitivity to social dynamics implies that his beliefs may not be entirely authentic. Thus, it is likely that Bazarov's decision to join the radical movement was influenced by the "institutional force of the school of dissent," rather than genuine ideological conviction.