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In Turgenev's, Fathers and Sons, the gap between generations is shown through the conflict between Arkady Kirsanov and his father Nikolai, created by Arkadys friend, the protagonist, Bazarov. A symbol of Romanticism, Nikolai is a simple-minded, good-natured man with a deep love for his son. He is initially ashamed and afraid to tell his son of his mistress, a peasant girl, who bore his child. Arkady on the other hand, is a cheerful character who accepts the mistress with good grace and is even glad to have a little step brother. Yet when it comes to his Nihilist friend, Bazarov, and his ideals, he sides with him more than his father, even if he doesn't wholeheartedly believe in those philosophies. Bazarov believes in nothing and attacks ruthlessly anything that is false and sham and worthy of destruction. It all starts with Bazarov walking into the lives of the Kirsanov family. Bazarov is the real focal point of the novel and the character who seems most clearly defined. One by one he intellectually touches the soul of each member, Arkady, Nicholas, Pavel, and Fenichka. Bazarov's character is not very much liked by all. Everyone is not quite as fond of him as Arkady. Bazarov is ignorant in the fact that he stays at