An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 1118 words)
azarov, returning, seated himself at the table, and fell to drinking
tea. The brothers contemplated him in silence. Arkady glanced covertly
from his father to his uncle, and back again.
"Have you walked far this morning?" at length Nikolai Petrovitch
inquired.
"To a marsh beside an aspen coppice. By the way, Arkady, I flushed five
head of woodcock. Perhaps you would like to go and shoot them?"
"Then you yourself are no sportsman?"
"No."
"That is to say, you prefer physics to anything else?" This from Paul
Petrovitch.
"Yes, I prefer physics--in fact, the natural sciences in general--to
anything else."
"Well, I am told that the Germanics have made great strides in that
department?" (Paul Petrovitch used the term "Germanics" instead of
"Germans" ironically, but no one noticed it.)
"True," was Bazarov's careless reply. "In fact, the Germans are, in the
same respect, our masters."
"You think highly of the Germans?" Paul Petrovitch's tone was now
studiously polite, for he was beginning to feel irritated with the
man--his aristocratic nature could not altogether stomach Bazarov's
absolute lack of ceremony, the fact that this doctor's son not only
knew no diffidence, but actually returned snappish and reluctant
answers, and infused a brusquerie akin to rudeness into his tone.
"At least the savants of that part of the world have some energy in
them," retorted Bazarov.
"Quite so. And your opinion of our Russian savants is--well, perhaps
less flattering?"
"It is, with your leave."
"That constitutes a piece of laudable modesty on your part," Paul
Petrovitch observed with a slight hitch of his figure and a toss of his
head. "But how comes it about that Arkady has just told us that you
recognise no authorities whatsoever? Do you not trust authorities?"
"Why should I? Is anything in the world trustworthy? Certainly, should
I be told a fact, I agree with it, but that is all."
"Oh! Then the Germans confine themselves solely to facts?" Paul
Petrovitch's face had now assumed an expression of detachment, as
though he had suddenly become withdrawn to the ultimate heights of the
empyrean.
"No, not all Germans," replied Bazarov with a passing yawn. Clearly
he had no mind to continue the controversy. Meanwhile Paul Petrovitch
glanced at Arkady as much as to say: "Admit that your friend has
beautiful manners!"
"For my own part," he continued, ostentatiously, and with an effort,
"I, a fallible mortal, do not favour the Germans. Of course, I am not
including in that category the Russo-Germans, who, as we know, are
birds of passage. Rather, it is the Germans of Germany proper whom I
cannot abide. Once upon a time they used to produce men like Schiller
and like--what's his name?--Goethe: for both of which authors my
brother has a marked predilection. But now the German nation has become
a nation solely of chemists and materialists."
"A good chemist is worth a score of your poets," remarked Bazarov.
"Quite so." Paul Petrovitch hitched his eyebrows a little, as though he
had come near to falling asleep. "Er--I take it then that you decline
to recognise art, but believe only in science?"
"I have told you that I believe in nothing at all. What after all, is
science--that is to say, science in the mass? A science may exist, even
as a trade or a profession may exist; but with regard to science in the
mass, there is no such thing."
"Very good. And, with regard to such other postulates as usually are
granted in human affairs, the attitude which you adopt is negative in
the same degree?"
"What is this?" suddenly countered Bazarov. "Is it an examination in
tenets?"
Paul Petrovitch turned pale, and Nikolai Petrovitch thought it time to
intervene in the dispute.
"Nay, we will debate the subject later," he said. "And then, while
recognising your views, good Evgenii Vasilitch, we will state our own.
Individually speaking, I am delighted that you should be interested in
the natural sciences. For instance, I am told that recently Liebig[1]
has made some surprising discoveries in the matter of the improvement
of soils. Consequently you might be able to help me in my agricultural
labours, and to give me much useful advice."
"Always I shall be at your service, Nikolai Petrovitch," replied
Bazarov. "But what has Liebig to do with us? First the alphabet should
be learnt before we try to read books. We have not even reached the
letter A."
"You are a Nihilist--that is plain enough," reflected Nikolai
Petrovitch; while aloud he added: "Yet allow me to seek your occasional
assistance. Brother Paul, I believe it is time that we interviewed our
steward."
Paul Petrovitch rose from his chair.
"Yes," he said, without looking at any one in particular, "it is indeed
a terrible thing to have lived five years in the country, and to have
stood remote from superior intellects! If one is ab origine a fool,
one becomes so more than ever, seeing that, however much one may try
not to forget what one has learnt, there will dawn upon one, sooner
or later, the revelation that one's knowledge is all rubbish, that
sensible men have ceased to engage in such futilities, and that one has
lagged far behind the times. But, in such a case, what is one to do?
Evidently the younger generation know more than we do."
And, slowly turning on his heel, he moved away as slowly, with Nikolai
Petrovitch following in his wake.
"Does Paul Petrovitch always reside here?" asked Bazarov when the door
had closed upon the pair.
"Yes, he does. But look here, Evgenii. You adopted too sharp a tone
with my uncle. You have offended him."
"What? Am I to fawn upon these rustic aristocrats, even though their
attitude is one purely of conceit and subservience to custom? If such
be Paul Petrovitch's bent, he had better have continued his career in
St. Petersburg. Never mind him, however. Do you know, I have found a
splendid specimen of the water beetle dytiscus marginatus. Are you
acquainted with it? I will show it you."
"Did I not promise to tell you his history?" observed Arkady musingly.
"Whose history? The water beetle's?"
"No; my uncle's. At least you will see from it that he is not the man
you take him for, but a man who deserves pity rather than ridicule."
"I am not prepared to dispute it. But how come you to be so devoted to
him?"
"Always one ought to be fair."
"The connection I do not see."
"Then listen."
And Arkady related the story to be found in the following chapter.
[1] Justus Freiherr von Liebig (1803-1873), the great German
chemist--in particular, the founder of agricultural chemistry.
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
Using intelligence as a weapon to demolish others' ideas and establish dominance rather than engaging in genuine discourse.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when someone uses their knowledge to dominate rather than collaborate.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone responds to questions or suggestions by making others feel stupid rather than actually addressing the issue.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"At least the savants of that part of the world have some energy in them"
Context: When Paul asks about his opinion of German versus Russian scientists
Shows Bazarov's brutal honesty and willingness to insult his own country's intellectuals. His casual dismissal of Russian achievements reveals both his commitment to truth over patriotism and his provocative nature.
In Today's Words:
At least those guys actually get stuff done, unlike our people
"You think highly of the Germans?"
Context: Paul's studiously polite question as his irritation begins to show
The formal politeness barely conceals Paul's growing anger. His aristocratic training forces him to maintain civility even when insulted, showing the constraints of his social class.
In Today's Words:
Oh, so you think they're better than us?
"That constitutes a piece of laudable modesty"
Context: His sarcastic response to Bazarov's criticism of Russian scientists
Pure aristocratic sarcasm - Paul can't express his anger directly so he uses elaborate irony. This shows how his class background makes honest confrontation nearly impossible.
In Today's Words:
Well, aren't you humble, trashing your own country like that
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Bazarov uses intellectual superiority to challenge aristocratic social superiority, turning the dinner table into a battlefield of competing hierarchies
Development
Builds on earlier subtle class tensions, now erupting into open intellectual warfare
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when someone uses their education or expertise to make you feel 'less than' in social situations
Identity
In This Chapter
Bazarov defines himself entirely through what he rejects rather than what he believes, creating an identity based on negation
Development
Expands on his nihilistic introduction, showing how this philosophy functions as personal armor
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself defining who you are by what you're against rather than what you stand for
Generational Conflict
In This Chapter
Paul represents traditional wisdom and cultural refinement while Bazarov embodies radical rejection of all inherited values
Development
Introduced here as the central tension that will drive the entire novel
In Your Life:
You might see this in family arguments where different generations can't find common ground on values or approaches
Communication
In This Chapter
The characters talk past each other—Paul tries to maintain civilized discourse while Bazarov demolishes rather than debates
Development
Shows how different communication styles can create unbridgeable gaps
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when conversations turn into monologues where nobody is actually listening to understand
Loyalty
In This Chapter
Arkady finds himself torn between defending his radical friend and protecting his family's feelings
Development
Introduces the central conflict that will test Arkady's character throughout the story
In Your Life:
You might face this when caught between a friend's behavior and family expectations, forced to choose sides
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific topics does Bazarov dismiss during the breakfast conversation, and how does he dismiss them?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Bazarov use his intelligence as a weapon rather than engaging in genuine conversation with Paul?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen someone use their knowledge or expertise to shut down conversation rather than build understanding?
application • medium - 4
How would you respond if someone like Bazarov tried to intellectually bulldoze you in a family or workplace setting?
application • deep - 5
What does this clash reveal about how insecurity can disguise itself as intellectual superiority?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Rewrite the Conversation
Take the breakfast scene and rewrite it as if Bazarov chose to engage constructively instead of bulldozing. Keep his core beliefs but change his approach from dismissive to curious. How might the conversation have gone if he asked questions instead of making declarations?
Consider:
- •What questions could Bazarov ask to understand Paul's perspective without agreeing with it?
- •How might Paul respond differently to genuine curiosity versus intellectual attack?
- •What common ground might they discover through respectful dialogue?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you either bulldozed someone intellectually or were bulldozed yourself. How did it feel? What would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 7: The Princess Who Broke a Man
Arkady decides to tell Bazarov the story behind his uncle's bitterness - a tale of lost love and broken dreams that reveals why Paul Petrovitch retreated to this remote estate. Sometimes understanding someone's past is the key to seeing their present clearly.
