Ivan Turgenev (1818-1883) is widely known as one of the most influential and revered Russian writers of the 19th century. Despite facing criticism from his fellow writers Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, his literary works have left a lasting impact on readers. In fact, one of his collections of short stories is credited with playing a significant role in the abolition of serfdom in 1861.
Born on November 9, 1818, in Oryol, Russia, Ivan Turgenev came from a family of Russian nobility. His father, Sergei Nikolaevich Turgenev, was a member of the aristocracy while his mother, Varvara Petrovna Turgeneva, inherited a large fortune that supported the family. Turgenev grew up with his two brothers, Nikolai and Sergei, and was educated by governesses. He became proficient in French, German, and English at a young age.
In 1827, the Turgenev family moved to Moscow to provide a better education for Ivan. He continued his studies in Classics, Russian literature, and philology at the University of St. Petersburg. After completing his education, he went on to study history and the philosophy of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel at the University of Berlin.
Hegel's philosophy greatly shaped Turgenev's thinking, and he aimed to spread the ideas of the Enlightenment to Russia. He was a vocal advocate for the abolition of serfdom and incorporated social ideas, rather than religious beliefs, into his writing to support the reform movement. In fact, from 1843 to 1845, Turgenev even worked for the Ministry of Interior.
One of Turgenev's most celebrated works, A Sportsman's Sketches, was published in 1852 and played a pivotal role in influencing public opinion towards the abolition of serfdom. Another notable short story, Mumu (1854), caused a stir for its criticism of oppressive rule. During this period, Turgenev also wrote several novellas, including Faust (1856), which often reflected the social angst and turmoil of the Russian people.
In the 1850s, Tsar Nicholas I ruled Russia and was notorious for censoring and suppressing writers, particularly those who spoke out against the monarchy. The Intelligentsia, a group of Russian intellectuals that included Turgenev, strongly felt the constant suppression of free thought and expression. In response, many, including Turgenev, left for Western Europe.
Turgenev relocated to Western Europe in 1854 to be closer to his lover, opera singer Pauline Viardot. During this time, he began to adopt a more realistic writing style, moving away from the romanticism that had previously characterized his work. Four of his most acclaimed novels, Rudin (1856), A Nest of the Gentry (1859), On the Eve (1860), and Fathers and Sons (1862), were written during this period.
Turgenev preferred to live outside of Russia, spending most of his time in Paris and Baden-Baden, Germany. This led to conflicts with other well-known Russian authors, like Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky, who focused more on morality and religion in their writing. However, Turgenev maintained a lifelong friendship with Gustave Flaubert, a leading Realist novelist in France.
Turgenev passed away on September 3, 1883, in his home in Bougival, France, due to a spinal abscess caused by a metastatic liposarcoma. He was laid to rest in the Volkovo Cemetery in St. Petersburg.
Interestingly, a scientific study on the brains of famous Russians revealed that Turgenev had one of the heaviest brains, weighing in at 2021g. This is significantly higher than the average male human brain weight of 1336g.
Turgenev spent most of his life writing in Western Europe and embracing western ideas and philosophy. While his work was not embraced by some of his fellow Russian writers and radicals, it continues to be admired for its social commentary on Russian society and politics. Turgenev's legacy as one of Russia's greatest authors remains strong to this day.
Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev is a name that resonates deeply in the realm of Russian literature. The 19th-century author is highly regarded for his insightful works that depict the realities of the peasantry class during the era of serfdom in Russia. Among his numerous acclaimed works, Turgenev is most remembered for his novel Fathers and Sons (1862), which thrust him into the literary limelight. Let's delve into the finest and most famous pieces of this remarkable writer.
Turgenev's first published book, Rudin (1856), tells the tale of Dmitry Rudin, a captivating speaker who fervently shares his progressive beliefs. Natalya, a young member of the salon where Rudin delivers his speeches, falls under his spell and challenges him to take action. However, Rudin fails to live up to his words, leading to themes of the potency of speech, ineffectiveness, and truth. Interestingly, the character of Rudin is said to be inspired by the revolutionary Mikhail Bakunin, a Russian anarchist and writer.
Widely regarded as Turgenev's masterpiece, Fathers and Sons (1862) delves into the generation gap between the traditional older generation and the progressive younger generation. The story follows Arkady Kirsanov, who returns to his father's estate with his friend Bazarov. Conflicts arise when Arkady's uncle, Pavel, rejects his new nihilistic philosophy. Things take a complicated turn when Arkady moves in with Fenichka, a servant, and they have a child together. This novel explores themes of filial love, generational conflict, and familial duty.
Torrents of Spring (1872) centers around the story of Dmitry Sanin, a young Russian landowner who falls madly in love with a beautiful Italian woman, Gemma, while visiting Frankfurt. This novel explores the themes of loss of innocence in love and the dangers of obsessive passions. It is also believed to be influenced by Turgenev's personal experience with a woman in Frankfurt.
Apart from his novels, Turgenev is also renowned for his exceptional skill in crafting short stories. A Sportsman's Sketches (1852) is a compilation of 25 stories based on Turgenev's observations at a hunting lodge. These stories paint a vivid picture of the harsh realities faced by peasants under Russia's serfdom system and were highly acclaimed, especially "Khor and Kalinich." However, they also drew criticism from the Tsar, resulting in Turgenev's house arrest. Another popular short story, Mumu (1854), follows the life of Gerasim, a hardworking deaf-mute peasant, and his love for his dog, Mumu.
Finally, let's take a look at some profound quotes from Turgenev's works:
Ivan Turgenev's works continue to be celebrated and studied to this day for their realism, insightful commentary, and evocative storytelling. His impact on Russian literature is immeasurable, and his legacy lives on through his timeless masterpieces.
Ivan Turgenev's literary pieces delve into the harsh realities faced by common people in Russia, including labor, philosophical beliefs, and societal injustices. In his book A Sportsman's Sketches, Turgenev's objective portrayal of the peasantry class sheds light on their emotions and actions under the oppressive system of serfdom.
With an elegant and simplistic writing style, Turgenev captures the essence of his characters and their surroundings, painting a vivid and captivating image in the reader's mind. In his short story "Yermolai and the Miller's Wife," Turgenev's attention to detail is evident in his description of a man with "a long thin nose, a narrow forehead, little grey eyes, and thick sarcastic lips." Such a distinctive writing style is a trademark of Turgenev's literary works.
Furthermore, Turgenev masterfully utilizes the frame story narrative technique, incorporating a story within a story that complements the main tale. In his novel First Love (1860), the book opens with three men sharing their experiences of first love, with one of them recounting his encounter at the age of sixteen. This narrative technique adds depth and sentimentality to the overall story.
Born into a Russian noble family in 1818, Turgenev was heavily influenced by Western European ideas and philosophies, spending most of his life in Paris and Baden-Baden. Through his works, he explores various themes, including the struggles of peasants under the serfdom system, the generation gap in philosophical beliefs, and the conflicts between Russian radicalism and Western ideologies. Turgenev's insightful examination of social issues, combined with his writing style, has earned him a prominent place among the greatest Russian authors of the 19th century. Even after his passing in 1883, Turgenev's legacy lives on through his acclaimed works, including his most famous novel, Fathers and Sons.
In conclusion, Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev was a revolutionary figure in Russian literature, renowned for his realism and depictions of the struggles faced by common people. His literary pieces offer valuable insights into societal issues and continue to be celebrated by readers and critics alike. Through his writing, Turgenev has left a lasting impact on the world of literature, shedding light on the complexities of Russian society and its journey towards enlightenment.
