An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 723 words)
"es, but first give me a rub down, dearest Papa," said Arkady in a
voice which, though a little hoarsened with travelling, was yet clear
and youthful. "See! I am covering you with dust!" he added as joyously
he returned his father's caresses.
"Oh, but that will not matter," said Nikolai Petrovitch with a loving,
reassuring smile as he gave the collar of his son's blue cloak a
couple of pats, and then did the same by his own jacket. Thereafter,
gently withdrawing from his son's embrace, and beginning to lead the
way towards the inn yard, he added: "Come this way, come this way. The
horses will soon be ready."
His excitement seemed even to outdo his son's, so much did he stammer
and stutter, and, at times, find himself at a loss for a word. Arkady
stopped him.
"Papa," he said, "first let me introduce my good friend Bazarov, who is
the comrade whom I have so often mentioned in letters to you, and who
has been kind enough to come to us for a visit."
At once Nikolai Petrovitch wheeled round, and, approaching a tall man
who, clad in a long coat with a tasselled belt, had just alighted from
the tarantass, pressed the bare red hand which, after a pause, the
stranger offered him.
"I am indeed glad to see you!" was Nikolai Petrovitch's greeting, "I am
indeed grateful to you for your kindness in paying us this visit! Alas,
I hope that, that----But first might I inquire your name?"
"Evgenii Vasiliev," replied the other in slow, but virile, accents
as, turning down the collar of his coat, he revealed his face more
clearly. Long and thin, with a high forehead which looked flattened
at the top and became sharpened towards the nose, the face had large,
greenish eyes and long, sandy whiskers. The instant that the features
brightened into a smile, however, they betokened self-assurance and
intellect.
"My dearest Evgenii Vasiliev", Nikolai Petrovitch continued, "I trust
that whilst you are with us you will not find time hang heavy upon your
hands."
Bazarov gave his lips a slight twitch, but vouchsafed no reply
beyond raising his cap--a movement which revealed the fact that the
prominent convolutions of the skull were by no means concealed by the
superincumbent mass of indeterminate-coloured hair.
"Now, Arkady," went on Nikolai Petrovitch as he turned to his son,
"shall we have the horses harnessed at once, or should you prefer to
rest a little?"
"Let us rest at home, Papa. So pray have the horses put to."
"I will," his father agreed. "Peter! Bestir yourself, my good fellow!"
Being what is known as a "perfectly trained servant," Peter had neither
approached nor shaken hands with the young barin, but contented
himself with a distant bow. He now vanished through the yard gates.
"Though I have come in the koliaska," said Nikolai Petrovitch, "I
have brought three fresh horses for the tarantass."
Arkady then drank some water from a yellow bowl proffered by the
landlord, while Bazarov lighted a pipe, and approached the ostler, who
was engaged in unharnessing the stagehorses.
"Only two can ride in the koliaska," continued Nikolai Petrovitch;
"wherefore I am rather in a difficulty to know how your friend will----"
"Oh, he can travel in the tarantass," interrupted Arkady. "Moreover,
do not stand on any ceremony with him, for, wonderful though he is, he
is also quite simple, as you will find for yourself."
Nikolai Petrovitch's coachman brought out the horses, and Bazarov
remarked to the ostler:
"Come, bestir yourself, fat-beard!"
"Did you hear that, Mitiusha?" added another ostler who was standing
with his hands thrust into the back slits of his blouse. "The barin
has just called you a fat-beard. And a fat-beard you are."
For answer Mitiusha merely cocked his cap to one side and drew the
reins from the back of the sweating shafts-horse.
"Quick now, my good fellows!" cried Nikolai Petrovitch. "Bear a hand,
all of you, and for each there will be a glassful of vodka."
Naturally, it was not long before the horses were harnessed, and then
father and son seated themselves in the koliaska, Peter mounted the
box of that vehicle, and Bazarov stepped into the tarantass, and
lolled his head against the leather cushion at the back. Finally the
cortège moved away.
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Let's Analyse the Pattern
When knowledge in one area becomes a license to dismiss others' worth and wisdom across all areas of life.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when someone uses intelligence or education to establish dominance rather than solve problems.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone dismisses others' experience or expertise—watch how they treat service workers, older colleagues, or people without degrees.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I am indeed glad to see you! I am indeed grateful to you for your kindness in paying us this visit!"
Context: Nikolai greeting Bazarov for the first time, trying to make him feel welcome
This shows Nikolai's genuine Russian hospitality and his eagerness to please his son's friend. The repetition of 'indeed' reveals his nervousness and desire to make a good impression. It's the old generation trying to bridge the gap with the new.
In Today's Words:
I'm so happy to meet you! Thank you so much for coming to visit us!
"Oh, but that will not matter"
Context: When Arkady worries about getting dust on his father during their embrace
This simple phrase reveals Nikolai's priorities - physical comfort matters less than emotional connection. It shows the warmth and unconditional love of the older generation, contrasting sharply with Bazarov's emotional distance.
In Today's Words:
Don't worry about that - I don't care if I get dirty
"He is wonderful but simple"
Context: Arkady describing Bazarov to smooth over any awkwardness
This reveals Arkady's position as mediator between his father and friend. The word 'simple' is patronizing - Arkady is already adopting Bazarov's condescending attitude toward traditional values, even about his own father.
In Today's Words:
He's great, but you know, kind of old-fashioned
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Bazarov casually insults the working-class ostler while treating the landowner with barely concealed condescension
Development
Introduced here as active social tension
In Your Life:
You see this when someone uses education or position to justify treating service workers or 'lower-status' people as less worthy of basic respect
Identity
In This Chapter
Arkady tries to manage impressions by calling Bazarov 'wonderful but simple' - already defending his friend's behavior
Development
Introduced here as internal conflict
In Your Life:
You recognize this when you find yourself making excuses for someone's bad behavior because you want others to like them
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The contrast between Nikolai's warm courtesy and Bazarov's cool politeness reveals competing social codes
Development
Introduced here as generational conflict
In Your Life:
You experience this tension when your values about how to treat people clash with someone else's idea of what's 'modern' or 'progressive'
Power
In This Chapter
Small power dynamics play out through who gets approached familiarly, who promises rewards, who insults whom
Development
Introduced here through social positioning
In Your Life:
You notice this in how people use whatever small authority they have - knowledge, position, connections - to establish hierarchy
Recognition
In This Chapter
Nikolai's joy at seeing his son contrasts sharply with Bazarov's need to establish intellectual superiority immediately
Development
Introduced here as competing needs
In Your Life:
You see this when someone can't just enjoy a moment without proving they're the smartest person in the room
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What are the first signs that Bazarov and Nikolai are going to clash, even before they really talk?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Bazarov treat the ostler with such casual contempt, and what does this reveal about his character?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen someone use their education or expertise to justify looking down on others?
application • medium - 4
How would you handle being in Arkady's position - caught between a friend who's being dismissive and a family member who's trying to be welcoming?
application • deep - 5
What's the difference between genuine confidence and intellectual arrogance, and how can you tell them apart?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Spot the Arrogance Warning Signs
Think of someone you know who's genuinely smart and knowledgeable. Now think of someone who acts superior because of their education or position. Write down three specific behaviors that distinguish the humble expert from the intellectual snob. Then reflect: which category do you fall into when you're in your area of expertise?
Consider:
- •How do they treat people who know less about their specialty?
- •Do they show curiosity about what others know, or only interest in showing what they know?
- •When they disagree with someone, do they attack the idea or the person?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you caught yourself using your knowledge or position to make someone else feel small. What was really driving that behavior, and how would you handle it differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 3: The Awkward Homecoming Conversation
As the carriages roll toward home, Nikolai's excitement about his son's return bubbles over into conversation. But what will happen when traditional father-son bonds meet the influence of Arkady's mysterious friend?
