Fathers And Sons

Bazarov wakes early, and takes his first walk on Marino’s grounds. He declares “the place isn’t much to look at”—the “young trees hadn’t taken, too little water collected in the pond, and the wells had a brackish taste” (15). Bazarov encounters some peasant youths who are interested in his scientific search for frogs, evidence of Bazarov’s “special flair for inspiring members of the lower class” (15). He explains to the boys that he studies frogs to better understand the human body as a doctor.

Back at the house, Arkady and his father have tea. When Arkady realizes that Fenechka is not at the table because she is embarrassed, he again informs his father of his liberal views on sex, and insists, “a son has no right to judge his father” (16-17). Arkady feels magnanimous after this declaration and insists he will go see Fenechka to make her more comfortable. Nikolai is overcome with many emotions, among them the possibility of an “inevitable strangeness” between himself and his son, and that perhaps his approach has created a lack of “respect” that remaining silent could have prevented (17). Arkady returns and reports his delight in his new baby brother, and father and son embrace.