Fathers and Sons. Ivan Turgenev

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      COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

      Copyright © 1982, 2012 by Frank J. Morlock

      Published by Wildside Press LLC

      www.wildsidebooks.com

      DEDICATION

      To the memory of my father,

      Michael Morlock;

      And to my uncle,

      Paris Pierson

      CAST OF CHARACTERS

      Piotr

      Nicolai Petrovitch Kirsanov

      Arkady Kirsanov

      Eugeny Bazarov

      Dunyasha

      Pavel Petrovitch Kirsanov

      Fenitchka

      Peasant Boy

      Anna Sergeyevna Odinstov

      Katya, her sister

      Old Bazarov

      Madame Bazarov

      Servant

      German Doctor

      SETTING

      The play is set circa 1860 in rural Russia.

      ACT I

      SCENE 1

      The garden of Nicolai Kirsanov’s estate. On the right a porch. Piotr is on a ladder watching the road. To the left a swing set in an artificial bower.

      Nicolai

      Well, Piotr, not in sight yet?

      Piotr

      No, Sir, not in sight.

      Nicolai

      Not in sight?

      Piotr

      No, Sir.

      Nicolai (sighs)

      They should be here.

      Piotr

      The coach is always late.

      Nicolai

      Of course.

      (Piotr comes down from the ladder)

      Piotr

      Good thing this doesn’t happen often. I’m too old to be climbing about on ladders. What if I fell?

      Nicolai

      You’re as agile as a cat.

      Piotr

      All the same. It’s no way to treat a servant.

      Nicolai

      Just once I ask you and you complain.

      Piotr

      One is free now. Not a serf any more. It is permitted to complain.

      Nicolai

      But must you make a profession of it?

      Piotr

      Freedom is freedom. What good is it if one can’t express oneself?

      (A noise offstage)

      It sounds as if they’re coming, Sir.

      Nicolai

      Arkasha, Arkasha.

      (Arkady and Bazarov enter)

      Arkady

      Let me shake myself first, Daddy. I will cover you with dust.

      Nicolai (not noticing Bazarov)

      Never mind, never mind. Let me have a look at you; let me have a look at you.

      Arkady

      Daddy, let me introduce you to my great friend, Bazarov, about whom I have so often written to you. He has been so good as to promise to stay with us.

      Nicolai

      I am heartily glad and very grateful for your kind intention of visiting us. Let me know your name and your father’s—

      Bazarov

      Eugeny Vassilyitch.

      Nicolai

      I hope, dear Eugeny Vassilyitch, you won’t find it dull with us.

      (To Piotr)

      Please see to Mr. Bazarov’s things, Piotr. Give him the room next to Arkady’s.

      Piotr

      Will you please accompany me, Sir?

      (Bazarov exits into the house with Piotr)

      Nicolai

      So here you are, a graduate at last, and come home again. At last.

      Arkady

      And how is Uncle?

      Nicolai

      Quite well. He was going to wait with me but for some reason or other changed his mind. I think he knew I should want to have you all to myself for a bit.

      Arkady

      And, how long have you been waiting for me?

      Nicolai

      Oh, about five hours.

      Arkady

      Dear, old Dad!

      (Arkady kisses his father on the cheek)

      Nicolai

      I have got a capital horse for you. You will see. And your room has been fresh papered.

      Arkady

      Is there a room for Bazarov?

      Nicolai

      Of course.

      Arkady

      Please Dad, make much of him. I can’t tell you how I prize his friendship.

      Nicolai

      Have you made friends with him lately?

      Arkady

      Yes, quite lately.

      Nicolai

      Ah, that accounts for my not seeing him last winter.

      (Pause)

      What does he study?

      Arkady

      Natural science. But he knows everything. Next year he’ll take his doctor’s degree.

      Nicolai

      Ah,—a physician. That’s good. Russia can use doctors. Incidentally, Arkady, I’ve had a lot of bother with the peasants this year.

      Arkady

      Now that they’ve been emancipated. They’re difficult, eh?

      Nicolai

      Yes. They are being set against me.

      Arkady (examining the garden)

      You’ve no shade; it’s a pity.

      Nicolai

      But I’ve had an awning put up—

      (He points)

      We can have dinner even in the open air.

      Arkady

      What air though? I don’t believe there’s such a fragrance in the world as in the meadows here.

      (Arkady is suddenly embarrassed by his own enthusiasm)

      What would Bazarov say if he heard me gushing like this?

      Nicolai

      Of course. You were born here, so everything here is special to you.

      Arkady

      Oh,