Whereas Bazarov was abrupt and critical of both Arkady’s and his own parents, Arkady conforms to his true nature and is exceptionally considerate of the Bazarovs. He is polite to the old man and takes delight in talking with Bazarov’s mother. He discusses their son with them and makes him out to be a greater person than Bazarov actually is. It is, however, highly ironic that Arkady says that Bazarov is “hostile to all effusive feelings,” since his friend has just been very effusive with Madame Odintsova. Arkady tells Vassily Bazarov that his son is destined to become a great man some day. This comment is additionally ironic in view of the fact that Bazarov will soon be dead.
The scene between the two friends offers additional views of Bazarov. He is still feeling humiliated for expressing his inner feelings to Madame Odintsova and speaks with extreme malice and hatred. He attacks Arkady relentlessly and mentions the reductio ad absurdum of the nihilist theory: “Having decided to mow everything down, then mow yourself down too.” Also, he is ready to fight with his friend “to the death, to annihilation.” The fight with all its portending viciousness is interrupted by the appearance of Bazarov’s father, but at the moment he appeared, Bazarov was indeed ready to destroy his friend totally. Ironically, Vassily Ivanovitch immediately admires the physical appearance of the two young people and comments about how much strength is in each one, but does not know that this same strength was about to be used to destroy each of them.
