Fathers and Children · Chapter
XII explained
Arkady and Bazarov arrive in the provincial town, where they encounter the high official Matvy Ilyitch Kolyazin, who advises them to call on the Governor.
What happens
Arkady and Bazarov arrive in the provincial town, where they encounter the high official Matvy Ilyitch Kolyazin, who advises them to call on the Governor. They meet Sitnikov, a self-proclaimed disciple of Bazarov, who insists on taking them to visit the emancipated woman Kukshina.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Bazarov’s sudden glance at Madame Odintsov, which she reacts to “as though he had struck her a blow,” marks th…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Nihilism and Ideology
Sitnikov's fawning devotion to Bazarov as his 'regenerator' parodies the superficial adoption of nihilist ideas.
- Social Class and Change
The portrayal of Matvy Ilyitch and the Governor highlights the tension between old aristocratic norms and new bureaucratic progressivism.
Characters to notice
- Arkady Kirsanov
Accompanies Bazarov to the town; visits Matvy Ilyitch and the Governor; is persuaded to go with Sitnikov to Kukshina.
- Yevgeny Bazarov
Reluctantly goes with Arkady to the Governor and later agrees to visit Kukshina after Sitnikov promises champagne.
- Matvy Ilyitch Kolyazin
A high-ranking official sent to investigate the governor; receives Arkady with condescending affability and advises him to call on the Governor.
- Sitnikov
A self-proclaimed disciple of Bazarov; enthusiastically invites Bazarov and Arkady to meet Kukshina, promising champagne.
- Evdoksya Kukshin
An emancipated woman whom Sitnikov insists Bazarov and Arkady must visit; described as a 'remarkable nature' and 'advanced woman'.
Key passages
“He had the highest opinion of himself; his vanity knew no bounds, but he behaved simply, looked affable, listened condescendingly, and laughed so good-naturedly, that on a first acquaintance he might even be taken for 'a jolly good fellow.'”
Matvy Ilyitch was extremely vain but put on a simple, friendly manner that made him seem like a nice person at first.
Describes the deceptive affability of the high official.
“I am indebted to him for my regeneration.”
Sitnikov claims Bazarov transformed his thinking and gave him a new outlook on life.
Sitnikov's exaggerated praise of Bazarov as his mentor.
