Fathers and Sons: Chapter 17 Summary & Analysis

Bazarov and Arkady spend two weeks at Anna Odintsov’s. She governs her household according to a punctual daily routine, whose “somewhat ostentatious formality” Bazarov resents. He tells Anna this, but she simply replies that in the country “one must lead an orderly life” or else die of ennui. Meanwhile, Bazarov has begun to show “quite unprecedented signs of emotional disturbance,” acting restless and irritable. Arkady, thinking himself in love with Anna, “[abandons] himself to a gentle melancholy.” He spends his time with Katya, not noticing how much they enjoy the same things, such as nature. Bazarov talks to Arkady less than before.

Bazarov is maddened by his feelings for Madame Odintsov. He thinks romance is foolishness, but he can’t seem to turn away from her. Each time he recognizes romance stirring in him, he stomps around the forest or tries to sleep it off, but he can’t control his feelings. Anna, too, is growing more interested in Bazarov.

One day, Bazarov’s father’s old bailiff, Timofeich, stops at Nikolskoye and hints that Bazarov should visit his parents soon. That evening, Anna sits in her private sitting-room with Bazarov, asking him why he must leave. Anna tells him she will miss him, but Bazarov sees no point in missing people. She tries to get him to talk about himself, to little avail. She grows more agitated as the evening wears on, telling Bazarov she is unhappy. She has no longing for life and feels unsatisfied. She wonders if she is incapable of love.

After Anna’s failed attempts to detain him, Bazarov eventually says goodnight, but not before squeezing her hand fiercely. Anna sits in her room, brooding silently, for a long time. Bazarov doesn’t return to his bedroom for another two hours, looking disheveled when he arrives. Arkady is still up, writing. When Bazarov speaks sarcastically to him about his and Katya’s late-night piano-playing, Arkady’s eyes well with tears.