# Arkady Kirsanov — Fathers and Children character guide > Arkady Kirsanov in Fathers and Children by Ivan Turgenev. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Arkady Nikolaevitch, Nikolaevitch, Arkady Nikolaitch, Arkady Nikolaitch Kirsanov, Kirsanov, Nikolaitch, Arkady Kirsanov, Arkasha **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot A fresh university graduate who comes home trailing a friend's radical ideas and his own unexamined need for approval. ## Who they are Arkady returns to his father's estate with a diploma, a new vocabulary, and Bazarov in tow, eager to see the old world through his mentor's cold eyes. But he is softer than his creed allows: he flinches at Bazarov's rudeness, melts under Odintsov's attention, and cannot quite stop loving the people he is supposed to have outgrown. His slow separation from Bazarov's shadow is the quiet counter-melody to the novel's louder arguments. ## Relationships ### [Yevgeny Bazarov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/yevgeny_bazarov) _friendship_ A mentor-student friendship that gradually fractures as Arkady outgrows Bazarov's nihilistic influence and finds his own path. ### [Anna Sergyevna Odintsov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/anna_sergyevna_odintsov) _social_ A polite, superficial acquaintance where Odintsov treats Arkady with friendly indifference, never reciprocating his youthful infatuation. ### [Katya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/katya) _romantic_ A gentle, genuine love that grows from companionship and shared values, leading to a happy marriage. ### [Nikolai Petrovitch Kirsanov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/nikolai_petrovitch_kirsanov) _family_ A loving father-son bond, though strained by Arkady's youthful embrace of nihilism and temporary distance from his father's values. ### [Vassily Ivanovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/vassily_ivanovitch) _social_ A warm, respectful acquaintance as Arkady visits Bazarov's parents, showing kindness that contrasts with Bazarov's coldness. ### [Father Alexey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/father_alexey) _social_ A casual, polite acquaintance during Arkady's stay at the Bazarov estate, with no significant depth. ### [Pavel Petrovitch Kirsanov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/pavel_petrovitch_kirsanov) _family_ A respectful nephew-uncle relationship, though Arkady is caught between his admiration for his uncle and his loyalty to Bazarov. ### [Yevgeny Bazarov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/yevgeny_bazarov) _friendship_ A mentor-student friendship that gradually fractures as Arkady outgrows Bazarov's nihilistic influence and finds his own path. ### [Yevgeny Bazarov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/yevgeny_bazarov) _friendship_ A mentor-student friendship that gradually fractures as Arkady outgrows Bazarov's nihilistic influence and finds his own path. ### [Katya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/katya) _romantic_ A gentle, genuine love that grows from companionship and shared values, leading to a happy marriage. ### [Katya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/katya) _romantic_ A gentle, genuine love that grows from companionship and shared values, leading to a happy marriage. ### [Nikolai Petrovitch Kirsanov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/nikolai_petrovitch_kirsanov) _family_ A loving father-son bond, though strained by Arkady's youthful embrace of nihilism and temporary distance from his father's values. ## In the story ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/i) Nikolai's son, a young graduate returning from university. He is seen in the carriage with a student's cap and a beardless, dusty, sunburnt cheek. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/ii) Returns home from university, introduces his friend Bazarov to his father. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/iii) Returns home, feels condescending tenderness toward his father, and reflects on the need for reforms after observing the impoverished countryside. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/iv) Returns home feeling awkward and self-conscious, avoiding the word 'daddy' and drinking too much wine; later feels great happiness sleeping in his own bed. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/v) Arkady magnanimously accepts his father's relationship with Fenitchka and meets his half-brother Mitya. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/vi) Observes the argument silently, later criticizes Bazarov for hurting Pavel's feelings, and promises to tell the story of his uncle. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/vii) Narrates Pavel's story to Bazarov, defending his uncle's character and unhappiness. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/ix) Introduces Bazarov to Fenitchka, defends his father's honor, and debates Bazarov's views on nature. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/x) Lazy and enjoying himself, supports Bazarov's nihilistic views in arguments, blushes with delight at Bazarov's radical statements. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xi) Agrees to Bazarov's plan to leave Maryino, concealing his delight out of a sense of nihilist duty. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xii) Accompanies Bazarov to the town; visits Matvy Ilyitch and the Governor; is persuaded to go with Sitnikov to Kukshina. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xiii) Accompanies Bazarov to Kukshin's; becomes uncomfortable with the chaotic atmosphere and eventually declares it 'something like Bedlam'. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xiv) Attends the ball, dances with Madame Odintsov, feels like a schoolboy beside her, and defends her against Bazarov's cynicism. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xv) Surprised by Bazarov's behavior; tries to discuss national melodies; treated like a younger brother by Odintsov. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xvi) Agrees with Bazarov's views during the debate, but feels a vague emotion like foreboding love. He spends time with Katya and feels a pang when Anna returns from botanising with Bazarov. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xvii) Arkady, believing himself in love with Madame Odintsov, grows melancholic but finds comfort in his friendship with Katya. He notices the growing distance between himself and Bazarov. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xviii) Reads aloud from a journal in the drawing-room, oblivious to the tension between Bazarov and Anna Sergyevna. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xix) Decides to leave with Bazarov, feels a mix of surprise and pleasure, and later presses Bazarov's hand warmly in the coach. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xx) Accompanies Bazarov; observes the family dynamics and is given a room in the bathhouse. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xxi) Engages in philosophical conversation with Bazarov, reassures Vassily Ivanovitch about Bazarov's future fame. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xxii) Feels restless and dull at Maryino, longs to return to Nikolskoe; impulsively decides to visit Odintsov; after the awkward visit, returns home preoccupied with thoughts of Katya. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xxiii) Departs at the beginning of the chapter; Bazarov sees him off with ironic compassion. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xxv) Arkady sits in the garden with Katya, engaging in a reflective conversation about Bazarov's influence and his own transformation. He is lost in deep, serious meditations, feeling no jealousy over Bazarov's time with Anna Sergyevna, and appears more tranquil and resolved. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xxvi) Proposes to Katya in the temple garden, declaring his change and new ideals. ### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xxviii) Married to Katya, becomes zealous in managing the estate at Maryino, which now yields good income. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/arkady_kirsanov - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters