# XII explained — Fathers and Children

> Chapter companion for Fathers and Children by Ivan Turgenev.

## What happens

Arkady and Bazarov arrive in the provincial town, where they encounter the high official Matvy Ilyitch Kolyazin, who advises them to call on the Governor. They meet Sitnikov, a self-proclaimed disciple of Bazarov, who insists on taking them to visit the emancipated woman Kukshina.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nihilism and Ideology

Sitnikov's fawning devotion to Bazarov as his 'regenerator' parodies the superficial adoption of nihilist ideas.

### Social Class and Change

The portrayal of Matvy Ilyitch and the Governor highlights the tension between old aristocratic norms and new bureaucratic progressivism.

## Character check-ins

### Arkady Kirsanov

Accompanies Bazarov to the town; visits Matvy Ilyitch and the Governor; is persuaded to go with Sitnikov to Kukshina.

### Yevgeny Bazarov

Reluctantly goes with Arkady to the Governor and later agrees to visit Kukshina after Sitnikov promises champagne.

### Matvy Ilyitch Kolyazin

A high-ranking official sent to investigate the governor; receives Arkady with condescending affability and advises him to call on the Governor.

### Sitnikov

A self-proclaimed disciple of Bazarov; enthusiastically invites Bazarov and Arkady to meet Kukshina, promising champagne.

### Evdoksya Kukshin

An emancipated woman whom Sitnikov insists Bazarov and Arkady must visit; described as a 'remarkable nature' and 'advanced woman'.

## Key lines

> He had the highest opinion of himself; his vanity knew no bounds, but he behaved simply, looked affable, listened condescendingly, and laughed so good-naturedly, that on a first acquaintance he might even be taken for 'a jolly good fellow.'

Matvy Ilyitch was extremely vain but put on a simple, friendly manner that made him seem like a nice person at first.

_Describes the deceptive affability of the high official._

> I am indebted to him for my regeneration.

Sitnikov claims Bazarov transformed his thinking and gave him a new outlook on life.

_Sitnikov's exaggerated praise of Bazarov as his mentor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fathers_and_children_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters