Nihilism in Turgenov's Fathers has several characters who hold strong views of the world. Pavel believes that Russia needs structure from such things as institution, religion, and class hierarchy. Madame Odintsov views the world as simple so long as she keeps it systematic and free from interference. This essay will focus on perhaps the most interesting and complex character in Fathers and Sons: Bazarov. Vladimir Nabakov writes that "Turgenov takes his creature [B] out of …showed first 75 words of 1663 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1663 total…have its limits. As Bazarov discovers, there are some things which defy negation. If by chance one falls in love, the sword of negation meets heavy armor. The strength of a nihilist resides in his or her mind. The action potential is in the strength of conviction to these principles. But theoverall power of ones ability to destroy is in no way a match for the supremacy of fate – negation in the form of death.