# Nikolai Petrovitch Kirsanov — Fathers and Children character guide > Nikolai Petrovitch Kirsanov in Fathers and Children by Ivan Turgenev. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Nikolai Petrovitch, Kirsanov, Nikolai, brother Nikolai Petrovitch, little Nikolai **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot A gentle landowner who reads Pushkin, mismanages his estate, and loves his son with an anxiety he cannot hide. ## Who they are Nikolai Petrovitch waits at the posting station for Arkady with his heart in his throat, then spends the visit trying to be modern enough for a son who has already moved past him. He is a widower who has quietly taken Fenitchka into his life and cannot decide whether to be ashamed or happy, and a farmer who talks about machinery and committees while the fields go untended. His bewildered kindness is the moral baseline against which the novel's cleverer men are measured. ## Relationships ### [Pavel Petrovitch Kirsanov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/pavel_petrovitch_kirsanov) _family_ Two brothers bound by deep affection and mutual respect, despite Pavel's condescension toward Nikolai's modern ideas. ### [Yevgeny Bazarov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/yevgeny_bazarov) _social_ A strained, polite relationship where Nikolai tolerates Bazarov's rudeness out of respect for his son's friend. ### [Fenitchka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/fenitchka) _romantic_ A tender, loving relationship between a shy young woman and the older widower, based on genuine affection and domestic peace. ### [Arkady Kirsanov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/arkady_kirsanov) _family_ A loving father-son bond, though strained by Arkady's youthful embrace of nihilism and temporary distance from his father's values. ### [Arkady Kirsanov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/arkady_kirsanov) _family_ A loving father-son bond, though strained by Arkady's youthful embrace of nihilism and temporary distance from his father's values. ### [Pavel Petrovitch Kirsanov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/pavel_petrovitch_kirsanov) _family_ Two brothers bound by deep affection and mutual respect, despite Pavel's condescension toward Nikolai's modern ideas. ### [Yevgeny Bazarov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/yevgeny_bazarov) _social_ A strained, polite relationship where Nikolai tolerates Bazarov's rudeness out of respect for his son's friend. ### [Yevgeny Bazarov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/yevgeny_bazarov) _social_ A strained, polite relationship where Nikolai tolerates Bazarov's rudeness out of respect for his son's friend. ### [Pavel Petrovitch Kirsanov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/pavel_petrovitch_kirsanov) _family_ Two brothers bound by deep affection and mutual respect, despite Pavel's condescension toward Nikolai's modern ideas. ### [Fenitchka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/fenitchka) _romantic_ A tender, loving relationship between a shy young woman and the older widower, based on genuine affection and domestic peace. ### [Arkady Kirsanov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/arkady_kirsanov) _family_ A loving father-son bond, though strained by Arkady's youthful embrace of nihilism and temporary distance from his father's values. ### [Fenitchka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/fenitchka) _romantic_ A tender, loving relationship between a shy young woman and the older widower, based on genuine affection and domestic peace. ## In the story ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/i) The protagonist of the chapter; a gentleman of a little over forty, waiting for his son Arkady at a posting station. He is described as already quite grey, stoutish, and rather bent, and is lost in memories of his late wife and his son's childhood. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/ii) Excitedly greets his son and welcomes Bazarov to stay at Maryino. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/iii) Meets Arkady, awkwardly reveals Fenitchka's presence, and feels a pang of heartache at his son's emancipated attitude. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/iv) Welcomes his son and Bazarov, talks about farming and government measures at supper, and lies awake long after midnight, agitated by his son's return. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/v) Nikolai is relieved and touched by Arkady's acceptance, but remains embarrassed and confused about the situation. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/vi) Attempts to mediate the argument and invites Bazarov to offer advice on agriculture, but internally recognizes Bazarov as a nihilist. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as Pavel's loving but different brother, who lost his wife and later invites Pavel to live at Maryino. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/viii) Meets with the bailiff, then visits Fenitchka and plays with baby Mitya; his backstory with Fenitchka is recounted. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/ix) Plays Schubert's 'Expectation' on the violoncello, prompting Bazarov's laughter. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/x) Overhears Bazarov calling him outdated, feels hurt and behind the times, tries to mediate the argument between Bazarov and Pavel. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xi) Sits alone in the garden arbour, overwhelmed by melancholy thoughts about the generational divide with his son, and reminisces about his late wife. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xxii) Delighted by his son's return; struggles with numerous farm difficulties including lazy laborers, broken equipment, and peasant disputes. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xxiii) Visits Bazarov often to 'study,' tries to keep conversation on neutral topics, and is unaware of the developing flirtation. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xxiv) Rushes to the scene after the duel, is distressed, and later tends to his brother. He also hints at his intention to marry Fenitchka. ### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/chapters/xxviii) Married to Fenitchka, appointed a mediator for emancipation reforms, works energetically but is too softhearted for both refined and uncultivated gentry. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters/nikolai_petrovitch_kirsanov - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fathers_and_children_se/characters