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In the novel Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev, Arkady, one of the main characters, seeks to find himself while being influenced by philosophy and friends that contradict his true feelings. At the beginning of the novel, Arkady is a devout follower of his friend Bazarov and his teachings of Nihilism; he seems to be under Bazarov’s control. He appears immature and weak-minded without ideas of his own while subscribing to the Nihilistic views of Bazarov. Throughout the novel, Arkady’s thoughts and actions reveal his own beliefs which contradict his outward appearance of being a Nihilist. Some of Arkady’s remarks about Bazarov's personal qualities make it seem as though Arkady is more captivated by Bazarov's personality than his ideas. Arkady, at first, plays the role of the faithful sidekick who will remain loyal to Bazarov to the end, regardless of the latter's treatment of him. He endorses Bazarov’s beliefs, but it becomes clear that he is not as steadfast as Bazarov in adhering to those beliefs. Arkady undergoes a real metamorphosis, eventually departing from his previous views of Nihilism and from Bazarov’s influence, and gradually finds himself through his own Romanticism, his relationship with his future wife Katya, and the revelation of Bazarov’s conceit and egotism.
Arkady’s displays his Romanticism throughout the novel which Bazarov describes as “purely rubbish.” At the beginning of the novel Arkady appears to be Bazarov’s student and mimicks everything that Bazarov says or does, including stating that he is a Nihilist just like Bazaov; however, Arkady shows signs of Romanticism despite the announcement of his Nihilist beliefs when Bazarov and he are walking one afternoon in the garden and overhear Nikolai, Arkady’s father, playing his violoncello. Turgenev portrays the scene: "At that instant the lingering notes of a violoncello were wafted towards them from the house . . . and, like honey, the melody flowed through the air” (40)....