Fathers and Children · Chapter
XIX explained
After a tense dinner, Bazarov apologizes to Madame Odintsov and announces his departure.
What happens
After a tense dinner, Bazarov apologizes to Madame Odintsov and announces his departure. Sitnikov's unexpected arrival relieves the awkward atmosphere. That night, Bazarov tells Arkady he will leave for his father's home the next day; Arkady decides to join him. They depart together, leaving Sitnikov behind, and on the road Bazarov reflects bitterly on his romantic entanglement, declaring that a man must not let a woman master him.
Themes in this chapter
Nihilism and Ideology
Bazarov's internal conflict between his nihilistic principles and his romantic feelings for Odintsov comes to a head, leading him to reject emotional attachment as 'rubbish'.
Love and Romanticism
Bazarov's failed declaration and subsequent bitterness highlight the theme of love as a disruptive force that challenges his worldview.
Loneliness and Alienation
Both Bazarov and Arkady experience isolation—Bazarov from his own emotions and Arkady from the group, culminating in their joint departure.
Characters to notice
- Yevgeny Bazarov
Apologizes to Odintsov, announces his departure, and later reflects bitterly on his romantic feelings, calling them 'rubbish'.
- Arkady Kirsanov
Decides to leave with Bazarov, feels a mix of surprise and pleasure, and later presses Bazarov's hand warmly in the coach.
- Anna Sergyevna Odintsov
Feels awkward after Bazarov's confession, is relieved by Sitnikov's arrival, and bids Bazarov farewell with a hope of meeting again.
- Katya
Listens silently and seriously to Arkady's departure; Odintsov keeps her close for comfort.
- Sitnikov
Arrives uninvited, flusters and sits on his hat, but his presence eases the tension; later left behind as Arkady and Bazarov depart together.
Key passages
“I might now repeat to you, said Arkady, as he lay down in bed, to Bazarov, who was also undressing, what you once said to me, Why are you so melancholy? One would think you had fulfilled some sacred duty.”
Arkady teases Bazarov by echoing his own earlier words, suggesting that Bazarov's gloom resembles that of someone who has just performed a solemn obligation.
This exchange reveals the growing tension and unspoken suspicions between the two friends.
“Sitnikovs are indispensable to us. I—do you understand? I need dolts like him. It's not for the gods to bake bricks, in fact!”
Bazarov explains that he needs foolish followers like Sitnikov to do the mundane work, since great men cannot be bothered with every detail.
Bazarov's arrogance and sense of superiority are laid bare, causing Arkady to realize the depth of his conceit.
“I have to apologise to you, Anna Sergyevna. You must be in a fury with me.”
Bazarov admits his fault and expects Odintsov to be angry with him for his earlier behavior.
This marks Bazarov's rare moment of vulnerability and regret after his failed declaration of love.
“to my mind, it's better to break stones on the high road than to let a woman have the mastery of even the end of one's little finger.”
Bazarov asserts that hard labor is preferable to being controlled by a woman in even the smallest way.
This reflects Bazarov's bitter rejection of romantic attachment and his attempt to reassert his nihilistic independence.