Fathers and Sons Themes

This Study Guide consists of approximately 75 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Fathers and Sons.

Fathers and Sons Themes

This Study Guide consists of approximately 75 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Fathers and Sons.
This section contains 1,361 words
(approx. 4 pages at 400 words per page)
Buy the Fathers and Sons Study Guide

The Generation Gap

The very title of the novel indicates one of the major themes. The gap between the older and younger generation is very pronounced, especially between fathers and their sons. Nikolai Kirsanov notes to his brother, Pavel, how they are "behind the times" and that the younger generation has surpassed them. He is wistful, however, at the implications of this gap: "I did so hope, precisely now, to get on to such close, intimate terms with Arkady, and it turns out I'm left behind, and he has gone forward, and we can't understand one another."

Bazarov's father makes a similar observation, when he gets into a discussion about new versus old ideas: "Of course, gentlemen, you know best; how could we keep pace with you? You are here to take our places." This gap seems to grow between them as they talk, and the old man tries...

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This section contains 1,361 words
(approx. 4 pages at 400 words per page)
Buy the Fathers and Sons Study Guide
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Fathers and Sons from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.