Fathers And Sons

Arkady and Katya sit together in the estate garden, reading, feeding birds, and playing with her dog. Their time together is peaceful, even idyllic: “they were silent, but it was precisely the way they were silent, the way they sat there side by side, that made their trusting intimacy so apparent” (133). Arkady makes a pun in Russian and when Katya laughs in agreement, he thinks, “she never reproaches me for using fine phrases” (133), a clear comparison to Bazarov. The two discuss German poet Heinrich Heine, and Katya says Arkady’s preference for the poet’s humorous side is a sign that Bazarov’s influence is waning. To Katya, Bazarov is a “predator […] while you and I are domesticated” (134). Arkady dislikes this comparison, but Katya points out that one’s nature cannot be helped. Bazarov is how he is just as Anna is how she is—needing total independence. In a brief moment of total accord, Arkady and Katya wonder whether total independence is even possible.

Arkady and Katya agree they are both cowed by Anna, though Katya assures Arkady her sister has grown to like him. When Arkady calls Katya “removed from everyone” (135), Katya says that this is from living a secluded life, rather than because of the sisters’ wealth. Arkady happily realizes that Katya is correct—she has no wealth of her own, as it all belongs to Anna.

Arkady asks if Katya would marry a rich man. She says no: “even our folks songs warn against unequal matches” (136). Arkady compares Katya to her sister, calling her “just as clever” (136). When this annoys her, he tells her, “I wouldn’t trade you for anyone else in the world” (136). As he walks away, Katya feels “confusion, and some other, unnamed feeling” (137). Anna interrupts the conversation to tell Katya about new shoes that have just arrived.

As Arkady returns to the house, Bazarov is waiting for him. Bazarov does not move when Arkady goes to embrace him, saying he has merely stopped to update his friend of the duel and that he is returning to his family home. News of the duel saddens Arkady. Bazarov admits that he also “wanted to take one more look at what I was leaving behind” (138), assuming that Arkady’s affair with Anna must be progressing. Arkady denies any such thing, which Bazarov does not believe.

Bazarov finally admits he may have come to see Anna, and Arkady insist she likely wants to see him too.

Bazarov tells Anna to forget “his indiscretions […] I’d prefer not to carry away the thought that you’ll remember me with repugnance” (138). Anna calls their past fantasy that is now water under the bridge. It’s not clear whether they truly no longer have feelings for each other. Bazarov jealously tells Anna that Arkady her, not believing Anna when she says that actually Arkady has grown close to Katya. When Arkady returns from the garden, he feels no qualms about Anna and Bazarov being together. Instead, “he seemed to be surprised at something, delighted by it, and had made up his mind about it” (141).

Katya and Arkady sit alone together in a Greek style portico, at his invitation. Katya is anxious, as her sister has recently warned her “to avoid private conversations” with Arkady, claiming their elderly aunt disapproves (142). He tells her that he owes her total honesty, but before he can go on, they hear Anna and Bazarov close by. Anna tells Bazarov she has moved on from him and is now more interested in the younger Arkady. Anna also claims she feels obligated to protect Katya’s reputation, though Bazarov questions whether Anna isn’t simply keeping Katya and Arkady apart out of jealousy.

After Anna and Bazarov drop out of earshot, Arkady tells Katya, “I love you irrevocably, forever and ever” (144), and she accepts his proposal.

The next day, Anna shows Bazarov a letter from Arkady asking formal permission to marry her sister. They both laugh unhappily at their degree of miscalculation. Bazarov urges her to agree to the socially advantageous match, and then renews his plans to leave: “I’ve already spent too much time in spheres alien to my nature […] Allow me to return to my own element” (145). Anna gives him her hand, but he rejects it a sign of sympathy.

Alone with Arkady, Bazarov calls him out for concealing his plans, while Arkady calls Bazarov a hypocrite for congratulating him, knowing his friend does not support marriage. Bazarov warns that Katya will be the dominant party in the marriage, since Arkady is a “soft, liberal gentleman” (146). Bluntly, he forces Arkady to admit they are parting forever and wishes his friend a happy life.

Arkady prepares to take Katya to Marino, and Anna protects them from their bitter aunt. She basks in their happiness, which “mellowed her at long last” (147).