Fathers and Sons. Ivan Turgenev

to hide his confusion)

      Perhaps—she is embarrassed.

      Arkady

      She has no reason to be embarrassed. You know my views. If you have chosen her to live with you—she must be worthy of it.

      Nicolai (profoundly moved)

      Thanks, Arkasha. Of course, it’s not some—some caprice, or a cheap affair. It’s not easy for me to talk to you about this. But, you understand it’s difficult for her—especially the first day—of your return.

      Arkady (rising)

      In that case I will go to her. I will fix everything.

      Nicolai (completely disconcerted)

      But, Arkady—you can’t. I haven’t told you yet— My God—

      (But Arkady has gone)

      Pavel

      He doesn’t know about the child?

      Nicolai

      Whatever will happen?

      Bazarov

      Trust Arkady to do the right thing.

      (Bazarov has been eating unconcernedly throughout this conversation)

      Nicolai

      Oh, of course. I’m sorry, Mr. Bazarov, to expose you to such—intimate family scenes.

      Bazarov

      Think nothing of it.

      Pavel (guarded but polite)

      I have been trying to remember where I heard your name before. Was your father a military surgeon, Mr. Bazarov?

      Bazarov

      My father and my grandfather were in the horse guards.

      Pavel

      Ah, I remember your grandfather, he died a hero’s death at Sebastopol.

      Bazarov

      He died like a fool, in a foolish war.

      Pavel

      That is a rather harsh way to speak of one’s grandfather.

      Bazarov

      As he is my grandfather, I feel I have the right to take that liberty. My grandfather was a romantic. So, for that matter, is my father.

      Pavel

      You seem to have little respect for received opinions.

      Bazarov

      That is true. I am a nihilist.

      Pavel

      Eh?

      Bazarov

      A nihilist.

      Nicolai (nonchalantly munching)

      A nihilist, that from the Latin—nihil—nothing. The word must mean a man who accepts nothing—

      Pavel

      Who respects nothing—

      Bazarov

      Who regards everything from a critical point of view.

      Pavel

      Isn’t that just the same?

      Bazarov

      No,—a nihilist is a man who does not bow down before any authority regardless of what reverence attaches to it.

      Pavel

      A sort of revolutionary par excellence, eh?

      (Bazarov nods and munches)

      Pavel

      Indeed. Well, it’s not in our line. We are old-fashioned folk. We think that without principles, taken as you say on faith, there’s no taking a step, no breathing. Vous avez change tout cela.

      Bazarov (munching)

      Reverence and principles don’t feed people.

      Pavel

      What was it?

      Bazarov

      Nihilist.

      Pavel

      Yes. There used to be Hegelians, now there are nihilists. We shall see how you will exist in a void, in a vacuum.

      (Arkady returns)

      Arkady

      We have made friends, Dad! Fedosya Nikolaevna is not quite well today, really. But she will come a little later. But, why didn’t you tell me I had a brother?

      (Nicolai waves his hand helplessly, Arkady embraces his father)

      Nicolai

      You must excuse me.

      (He exits to the house)

      Pavel

      Is your special study physics, Mr. Bazarov?

      Bazarov

      Physics and natural science.

      Pavel (ironically)

      They say the Teutons have made great progress in that line.

      Bazarov

      Yes, the Germans are our teachers in it. Their scientists are a clever lot.

      Pavel

      I dare say you haven’t as high an opinion of our Russian scientists.

      Bazarov

      Very likely—

      Pavel

      Well, you are not a chauvinist. But if you are a nihilist, surely you don’t believe in these Teutons.

      Bazarov

      They tell me the truth. I agree that’s all.

      Pavel

      Do all Germans tell the truth?

      Bazarov (yawning)

      Not all.

      Pavel

      I confess. I don’t care for Germans very much. In the past they produced some excellent men, Goethe—Schiller— But now they have all turned chemists and materialists.

      Bazarov

      A good chemist is twenty times as useful as any poet. An engineer is worth a hundred Goethes.

      Pavel

      Oh, indeed. You don’t acknowledge art, then?

      Bazarov (contemptuously)

      The art of making money or of advertising pills!

      Pavel

      Ah—ah— You are pleased to jest, no doubt? Granted. Then, you place your faith in science?

      Bazarov

      —I have already explained that I don’t place my faith anywhere. There are sciences like trades and crafts. But abstract science doesn’t exist at all.

      Pavel

      Very good. And in regard to other accepted traditions of human conduct, do you adopt the same negative attitude?

      Bazarov

      Is this an examination?

      Arkady

      Uncle Pavel, please—

      Pavel

      I am sorry if I have been carried away by the conversation. It’s a misfortune to live in the backwoods, as it were, far from mighty intellects. You turn into a fool directly, you try not to forget what you’ve been taught—but—poof—they’ll prove it’s all rubbish and that up to date people have no more to do with such foolishness and you are an antiquated old fogy before you’re fifty. What’s to be done? Young people are, it goes without saying—cleverer