1. Ivan Sergyevitch Turgenev “The temerity to believe in nothing”

2. Russia in the 1800s Czars taking power away from everyone – Industrialization caused strain on government Use of serfs on farms increased – Lower class wanted more freedom so government had to stay conservative In 1825, revolts tried to institute Russia as a constitutional monarchy, but failed

3. Youth Born on October 28, 1818 in Orel province, Russia Family was wealthy land owning, Russian nobility Domineering and abusive mother oversaw the farms and the serfs – Great influence in his life

4. Studies Begun by tutors at home in the great family mansion In school, he concentrated his studies on history and the philosophy of Georg W. F. Hegel – History is progressive development of human understanding towards perfect knowledge Became enthusiastic supporter of Westernization of Russia

5. Other Influences Acquainted with Dickens, G. Eliot, Browning, and many other literary figures of England One of the earliest admirers of Henry James – had substantial influence on James's career and writing style G. A. Moore discovered Turgenev's artistry – By 1890 most of Turgenev's major work had appeared in English

6. Starting His Career Turgenev was an enthusiastic hunter and his hunting experiences in his native province inspired the material for “A Sportsman’s Sketches,” – Written under guidance of Nikolay Gogol – brought him his reputation – Influenced Hemingway – in – In

7. Writings Fyodor Dostoevsky and Leo Tolstoy wrote about matters of religion and the church Turgenev focused on movement towards social reform and political issues – Depicted 19 th century Russian provincial life and its turbulent times of political upheaval “I share no man's opinions; I have my own”

8. Impact of Works Depicts realistic, affectionate portrayals of the Russian peasantry Turgenev showed in his writings a deep concern for the future of his native land – Became endeared to Russian readers Popularized nihilism

9. Literary Themes "Khor and Kalinich" (1847): sympathetic story of peasant life – Attacked serfdom – May have influenced Czar Alexander II in his decision to emancipate Russia's serfs in 1861 Fathers and Sons (1862): deals with nihilist philosophy and personal and social rebellion

10. More Themes In his books the heroes fail in action, and there are certain weaknesses of the Russian character He preaches no doctrine and has no remedy for the universe o But he clearly exposes the weaknesses of humans

11. Fathers and Sons Set during the six-year period from Russia's defeat in the Crimean War to the Emancipation of the Serfs. Examined the conflict between the older, reluctant generation and the idealistic youth striving for reform The subjects of love and marriage cause confusion and force a re-thinking of old and new values

12. Fathers and Sons cont. Bazarov and Arkady represent the nihilistic tendencies of the younger generation, western free-thinking, and revolt The fathers—Vassily, Nikolai, and Pavel— represent the older attitudes and traditional figures of Russia before the Revolution "A nihilist is a man who does not bow to any authorities, who does not take any principle on trust, no matter with what respect that principle is surrounded.”

13. Nihilism View that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and useless – Denies moral truths Believes in: – Nothing except for science – Materialism – Revolution – The people “However much you knock at nature's door, she will never answer you in comprehensible words.”

14. Result of Fathers and Sons Hostile reception and severe criticism prompted him to leave Russia – lost the majority of his readers Nihilist became associated with the terrorist, the anarchist, the atheist, the materialist, and the Communist – The central character, Evgenii Bazarov, becomes the 'first Bolshevik' in Russian literature.

15. Persecuted In his travels between Europe and Russia, Turgenev was arrested and imprisoned for suspicious revolutionary activities Persecution for his writings went as far as house arrest for more than a year

16. Fyodor Dostoevsky Believed West replaced religious values with economic materialism Challenged Chernyshevsky (Russian radical critic) What is to be Done? Utopian novel that advocates the overthrow of the czar Strongly loyal to Czar Alexander II Slavophile-wanted to keep Mother Russia free from the taint of Westernism

17. Works Cited Flew, Antony. A Dictionary of Philosophy. 2nd ed. Vol. Revised. New York: Saint Martin's, 1979. Print. "Ivan S. Turgenev - Biography and Works." The Literature Network: Online classic literature, poems, and quotes. Essays & Summaries. Jalic Inc., 2010. Web. 22 Feb. 2010.. "Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 22 Feb. 2010 "Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 20 Feb. 2010. Rohmann, Chris. A World of Ideas: The Dictionary of Important Theories, Concepts, Beliefs, and Thinkers. New York: Ballantine, 2000. Print. "Turgenev. Biography." 2010. Web. 22 Feb. 2010.