Chapters 20 and 21 Summary

Bazarov and Arkady arrive at the home of Bazarov's father, Vassily, and mother, Arina. Vassily embraces his son warmly but it is Arina who is overwhelmed with emotion and cries openly and at length at the return of her son. It has been three years since the elder Bazarovs have seen their son and even though he has been expected, Bazarov had never committed to returning on any certain day.

Vassily welcomes Arkady and cautions him that the Bazarov household is not so grand as Arkady's home but Arkady is touched at the family's graciousness and feels quite at home with his accommodations in the modest house. Arina prepares a feast for the two young men who eat lustily at the woman's kitchen table.

Vassily is a retired army doctor and still serves the local village in a medical capacity although...