Turgenev's Fathers and Sons - This Is How to Defeat a Nihilist
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- čas přidán 25. 07. 2024
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Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev is one of the greatest Russian novels that introduced one of the most famous Russian characters of all time. Bazarov personified the philosophy of Russian nihilism that started in 19th century and culminated in the 20th century with the Bolshevik revolution in 1917. Fathers and Sons influence on Dostoevsky is apparent, specially in the Brothers Karamazov, Notes from Underground and Crime and Punishment, all three I have reviewed here. Also, note that Fathers and Sons was published in 1862, 4 years before Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment and 7 years before Tolstoy’s War and Peace, so it is a pioneer of Russian literature. In this video, I will summarise the story, discuss Russian nihilism, why Bazarov is called the greatest nihilist, and how Turgenev masterfully builds, develops, and transforms his characters so devastatingly skilfully like a true artist that breaks your heart. I have broken down the novel into five major conflicts depicted by Turgenev, a master of show, don’t tell. But first let me give you a quick overview of Russia at the time.
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Ivan Turgenev was the most artistic novelist from 19th century Russia. He wrote shorter pieces compared to Dostoevsky and Tolstoy but he deserves more recognition. Fathers and Sons is one amazing novel. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know which Russian novel should I cover next? The big one? You know the one? The real beast of a novel?
I love Dostoevsky's the Dead House specially. It is a non fiction based on his dramatic experience. Some people feel intimated by his other big books, but this one is pretty readable.
Excellent video and a writer i was not familiar with, if by any chance is there a preferred English translation of this book? Thank you so much.
@@griffendurrett7302 am curious to know too.
I read the rosemary edmunds translation in penguin classics edition . No issues whatsoever.
I’m so glad there’s a channel covering Russian literature there aren’t that many so this is a diamond in the rough 🤗
Very well done. I am 75, and just added this to my growing collection of Russian novels(and writers of course). I have read several Russian novels/authors already and am looking forward to reading this one. I am a son, and a father of a son myself. I have read Tolstoy's 'beast' already, and now am almost done Anna Karenina. But I must say, so far, Dostoyevsky is sitting as number one. Again, well done.
Thanks for sharing! I just published my video on Tolstoy's beast and I am working on Anna Karenina right now. I have talked about Dostoevsky quite a lot and now Turgenev. I love all three.
@L-Z Virag
L-Z Virag Very well done. I am 73, and just also Love this fellow because """"Both Eyes Ruined, Macular Degeneration.
I cried like a child at the end of this book. Thank you for the video!
I had a similar reaction. It's really wonderful and immensely powerful.
@@Fiction_Beast “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
The father knows his son is not saved, nor does he have a life before him and yet he runs around trying to prove that his son was destined for a good life in Russia, it was there even if it is now no more.
I remember reading Turgenev in my teens and followed with the Brothers Karamazov. Very endearing to my heart!
Your resource about great Russian literature is a treasure :))❤️
Thank you!
if you know Russian, then you will enjoy the video discussion of this book by stand-up comedians: "book club chapter 33 Ivan Turgenev Fathers and Sons" (книжный клуб. глава 33. Иван Тургенев. Отцы и дети)
@@lenazubova6692 My Russian is ok but not great, but I will check it out. Thanks.
Bazarov is the prototype of the character I used to enjoy reading. Soseki’s later novels, which I love, have similar characters; drawn toward western ideas, and consequently lose connection with others as well as with himself.
I loved the duel scene. The ending left me speechless.
Can you recommend other works by Soseki? I have read Kokoro and I also loved the character of Sensei
@@noncarpediem If you like the character of Sensei, you will probably like Sanshiro, And Then, The Gate and The Wayfarer. Personally, I like the earlier, lighter works, Botchan and I am a Cat.
This is such a well structured and articulated video! Thank you for walking us through this beautiful novel 😊
Sir ive watched your videos since proust, and i can fairly say that youe channel its one of the most valuable and quality filled ones
Appreciate it mate!
Great video as always. This is how criticism should be analysing a piece of literature without making a theory out of it.
Indeed! thanks for watching.
But that idea is a theory too. Lol. A theory is a conceptual tool that frames a subject either to explain it, explore it as a phenomenon, or to make a prediction. Theories are only useful for wanting to understand the impact of a phenomenon on the world. This channel is as theoretical as a P.hD student writing a dissertation on proto-feminist developments in the Russian novel; a baby who keeps dropping a spoon on the floor to get it's mother's attention; or a reader who keeps returning to a well-thumbed novel over the years to relive the meaning they find there. A novel is a theory of human experience too, and we are all scientists searching for knowledge and meaning. Honestly, academic discourse - and all discourse really - are combs of various fineness combing through the knotty texture of human experience to understand it and communicate it's importance more clearly. That's why novels are important, they give you new perspectives, and develop your understanding, through giving you a lens and speaking to your reason and your soul. You might not need to understand or use academic depths of analysis, but you are thinking and responding to this channel's theoretical framework. Yep, Art is theory, but without the academic trappings, because Art is the precursor of all creativity and human development.
@@BigHenFor agree but my argument was many modern humanities theories are sounding like theories of mathematics or logic or physics. I have no issues with theory but only with physics envy.
This is such a masterfully created video. You put all the thoughts I had throughout my reading of this novel into words. Thank you for pouring your own insights and for dedicating the time to help us better understand and reflect upon this masterpiece of universal literature!
Appreciate it!
I watched your video a year ago before reading the novel, but finished it now and loved it a lot and then came back and re-watched your video.
The video is full and has covered the whole book almost.
Thanks a lot!!❤
I am really glad! thank you very much for clarifying the ideas behind this great novel. the video opened my eyes to some important details that can make the experience deeper.
Just finished it today. What a masterpiece. I have a few more Russian works I need to read and I'm very excited.
So happy to have found your site. In the university I studied Turgenev's 'Fathers and Sons' yet your descriptions and insights exceed all I believed I'd learned. Grateful new subscriber...Thank you.
great video i just finished the book and was looking forward to a review of the sort. bravo!
Very good analysis, thank´s for sharing!
This looks like a very intricate novel with so many contrasting characters against different backgrounds all woven together in a seamless manner.
You have done an amazing job breaking it down in such a clear way. Thanks a lot.
Did you know that France is celebrating Proust’s 100th anniversary over a whole year starting from November last year.
A Very Happy Productive and Rewarding Year.
Thank you, and wish you a great 2022 for you too.
Thank you
Fantastic job
God bless you
i love this channel, thank you for doing this man!
good points and wonderful video, thank you
Just finished the book and I loved it! And now watching your video is so much pleasure . Thank you
Wonderful!
Excellent video. Want to see more
Your video is amazing! Thank you for this excellent work
Thank you too!
Happy to have found your site. Liked your narration. Thank you.
Thanks for listening
Wonderful commentary -- thank you!! You just gained a new subscriber.
Awesome, thank you!
Great work, thank you!
Glad you liked it!
Great video, thank you :)
This is amazing. subbed
Magnificient site!
Thank you for another video!
Glad you like them!
Awsome!Just watched it.So useful.You're pretty savvy 👍👌🌹
Glad it was helpful!
Great work Matt. Did I spot a photo L1 in amongst this review. Thank you so much
Thanks. What’s L1?
@@Fiction_Beast Liverpool 1 city centre @16m50s I have eaten in eat in the recent past and shop their sometimes; small world pal isn’t it it’s a good shopping centre in Merseyside England, United Kingdom.
Hi! I just wanted to say that I really love your Chanel every video you do has so much on it. So thank you for your hard work :)
Thank you!
Since I cannot keep purchasing books at a whim, I'll get hooked to this channel instead. It's the closest to reading the books I cannot buy 😌🙌🏻
Thank you for your great video! Subbed
Appreciate it.
Beautifully done
Thank you! Cheers!
Wonderful work
Thank you! Cheers!
Many thanks friend you bright some "optimism" to a very dark and challenging book.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really appreciable as well as extremely precious
Glad you enjoyed it.
Great work. Thanks!.. greetings from Peru
Thanks for watching!
In times of American craziness I've found a heaven of Russian old novels. Time to read boys :)
Just amazing ❤
Thank you!
Great many thanks for the critcal review of the great classic novel
Two requests:1) can you pls share the text of your narration?
2) the movie adaption shown in this.
Thank a lot, great great job. From Madrid, España.
Really appreciate it.
Well done sir, salute
thanks
Just read it and my god it’s easily my favorite.
Thanks!
Thank you!
Thank you 🙂
You’re welcome 😊
Great
I've read this in college around 2009 or so I've never been the same since
It's my favorite book in all dimensions of life
Very nice. Surely you win your coffee
What's that meloncholy piano track used in this video?? I'd love to listen to it as I read the novel!
8:30
Show opposite world's different point of view on life
10:00
She found something new in him.
Do things differently then other people
Gunnercis a good literatuer
2:24 this divide reminds me of how Vladimir lenin had to deal with a group pf people who were called prolekult, who wanted to destroy all the old tradition,and works,such as that of Tolstoy, because they were all from the feudal era and jad feudal values. Lenin had to go through extensive efforts to convince people like these that these works belong to the Russian people as a whole,and to move forward into a new era isn't by destroying them,but by continuing and popularizing them amongst all people.
I guess that is the reason why in ny culture, Dostoyevsky was the most read novelist,propogated almost exclusively through our communist leaders, even though he was not a communist or from my culture!
I can’t be the only one who thought that Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov died, or am I completely insane. In the Penguin Classic’s version, it states “and he was indeed a dead man” at the end of chapter fourteen. Maybe it was a translation ‘mistake’.
I asked a Russian friend - no, it's like that in the original; Turgenev is tricking the reader. Of course that foreshadows what have been later - and readers end up being forced to admit that they are grieved more by Bazarov's death than they would have been by Pavel Petrovich's (already a shock that turned out to be untrue; P.P. is only figuratively a "dead man").
@@haraldhelfgott195 Thank’s for the explanation!
Maybe he meant that he was humiliated and thus "dead"? Even more because they keep repeating the injury is not of concern. If it's not for this reason, then it's a cheap trick in an otherwise masterpiece.
Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev
I’ve recently been getting into Russian literature and I’ve read a couple of books by Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Nabakov. So I decided to give Fathers & Sons a try. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy this shorter read, but I couldn’t help but cringe while reading about Bazarov. He felt like an insufferable, emotionally constipated child to me. Does anyone else feel this way about him? I do think it could partly be because we live in times where all of us are more emotionally aware and just more generally exposed to different ideologies compared to the people of the time this book was set in.
P.S. I enjoyed this video!
What song plays at 7:00?
The title of this novel was different from Alma classic: Fathers and Children. .by the same author Ivan Turgenev. . .
That’s close to the Russian original
Can you post the link to the movie?
There is a brand new book out for father's and children. A new translation. Seen it in the NY times book review.
It’s a more literal translation of the Russian original
@@Fiction_Beast yes. Thank you. I think I will order it.
Common life is the best way to defeat nihilism .
Hello, friend, for a friend U are
Having given us all this!
Greetings to thee from afar,
& a happy New Year of bliss.
Your analysis is outstanding,
Too bad its too prompt ending.
I'd love to contact thee, might
I inquire about your website?
Best wishes, be & stay well
Sends you one named Michael.
no true nihilist would bother to write a book.
no true nihilist would bother reading a book either :)
I have nihilistic tendencies like i dont believe in afterlife, i do t believe live has any meaning. That's just the reason i do what i want to do. If i want to read , i read . Doing nothing is boring
Where are you from matt?
What was the thought behind the thumbnail..Stalin & Uljanov??
Turgenev depicted a character very similar to the young Lenin and Stalin.
Bazar also could mean an argument in Russian.
I didn’t know. I guess in market people argue or negotiate
I love Russian literature - but it is always so hard to remember everyone’s name in the beginning. Especially with Dostoyevsky.
You say Russia looked to England for inspiration but surely you mean Scotland and it's age of Enlightenment, the Athens of the North? It was the great French philosopher and historian Voltaire (1694-1778) who said ‘We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilisation’. And and Benjamin Franklin caught the mood of the place in his Autobiography (1794): “Persons of good Sense…seldom fall into [disputation], except Lawyers, University Men, and Men of all Sorts that have been bred at Edinburgh.” Please elaborate what was so inspirational about England? I'll let you off a bit if you meant to say United Kingdom. ;))
The USSR was not a nihilist country that denied beauty and art. The greatest composers worked in the USSR, such as Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Sviridov, Schnittke, and many others. There were great poets and writers, artists, directors and actors in the USSR. Many Soviet films and cartoons are works of art. Just look at the Soviet "Winnie the Pooh" and compare it with the American one.The Soviet design of many things is still pleasing to the eye. Your words about the USSR are typical anti-Soviet Western propaganda.
Can you make some great points I was looking at the Soviet architecture closely. Of course within any system that are deviations. Overall ideology was utilitarian
In my own opinion I think "fathers and sons" was countered by Fyodor Dostoevsky's "the adolescent". . .
How?
You can read it in alma classics' extra information. .
I'm reading The Adolescent at the moment and I think you might be right.
i now understand why nihilism is said to be a joke
It's fiction.
@@Fiction_Beast nihilism is actually very real!
15:46 Did you call Soviet art bland and ugly? And illustrated your statement with a picture of mass construction, which is similarly pragmatic in any country? Soviet art is amazing, touching films, some of them got Western awards. Soviet art is deep and exciting books, which cover the most dramatic historical events the Soviet people experienced in XX century. Soviet art is innovative composers, poets and singers, whose music and songs inspired people to defeat Hitler. Soviet art is countless mosaics and ornaments on factories, shops, stations and bus stops. Soviet art is magnificent metro stations that look like palaces made for all people, not just the rich one percent. How can you have a literature channel and say that about Soviet art?
And also why not try and do tiktok?
TikTok is for dancers and comedians. Am I wrong?
@@Fiction_Beast that's maybe how it started, but right now it's one of the most used media platform. I guess it can be a way to get people's attention since it is very popular at the moment. Also it allows longer videos than the reals on Instagram and you can do a sort of playlist, so it may be interesting for you :) I don't know I'm just suggesting it.
Thank you! It sounds a good idea to reach more people. I have to learn how to make vertical videos through :)
Today I read Fathers and Sons by Turgenev for the first time. It is beautifully written and with hidden meanings. But in no way does it approach the quality of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy.
I was loving the story until Bazarov kissed the pregnant maid, what a simp!