Fathers and Sons. Ivan Turgenev
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COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Copyright © 1982, 2012 by Frank J. Morlock
Published by Wildside Press LLC
www.wildsidebooks.com
DEDICATION
To the memory of my father,
Michael Morlock;
And to my uncle,
Paris Pierson
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Piotr
Nicolai Petrovitch Kirsanov
Arkady Kirsanov
Eugeny Bazarov
Dunyasha
Pavel Petrovitch Kirsanov
Fenitchka
Peasant Boy
Anna Sergeyevna Odinstov
Katya, her sister
Old Bazarov
Madame Bazarov
Servant
German Doctor
SETTING
The play is set circa 1860 in rural Russia.
ACT I
SCENE 1
The garden of Nicolai Kirsanov’s estate. On the right a porch. Piotr is on a ladder watching the road. To the left a swing set in an artificial bower.
Nicolai
Well, Piotr, not in sight yet?
Piotr
No, Sir, not in sight.
Nicolai
Not in sight?
Piotr
No, Sir.
Nicolai (sighs)
They should be here.
Piotr
The coach is always late.
Nicolai
Of course.
(Piotr comes down from the ladder)
Piotr
Good thing this doesn’t happen often. I’m too old to be climbing about on ladders. What if I fell?
Nicolai
You’re as agile as a cat.
Piotr
All the same. It’s no way to treat a servant.
Nicolai
Just once I ask you and you complain.
Piotr
One is free now. Not a serf any more. It is permitted to complain.
Nicolai
But must you make a profession of it?
Piotr
Freedom is freedom. What good is it if one can’t express oneself?
(A noise offstage)
It sounds as if they’re coming, Sir.
Nicolai
Arkasha, Arkasha.
(Arkady and Bazarov enter)
Arkady
Let me shake myself first, Daddy. I will cover you with dust.
Nicolai (not noticing Bazarov)
Never mind, never mind. Let me have a look at you; let me have a look at you.
Arkady
Daddy, let me introduce you to my great friend, Bazarov, about whom I have so often written to you. He has been so good as to promise to stay with us.
Nicolai
I am heartily glad and very grateful for your kind intention of visiting us. Let me know your name and your father’s—
Bazarov
Eugeny Vassilyitch.
Nicolai
I hope, dear Eugeny Vassilyitch, you won’t find it dull with us.
(To Piotr)
Please see to Mr. Bazarov’s things, Piotr. Give him the room next to Arkady’s.
Piotr
Will you please accompany me, Sir?
(Bazarov exits into the house with Piotr)
Nicolai
So here you are, a graduate at last, and come home again. At last.
Arkady
And how is Uncle?
Nicolai
Quite well. He was going to wait with me but for some reason or other changed his mind. I think he knew I should want to have you all to myself for a bit.
Arkady
And, how long have you been waiting for me?
Nicolai
Oh, about five hours.
Arkady
Dear, old Dad!
(Arkady kisses his father on the cheek)
Nicolai
I have got a capital horse for you. You will see. And your room has been fresh papered.
Arkady
Is there a room for Bazarov?
Nicolai
Of course.
Arkady
Please Dad, make much of him. I can’t tell you how I prize his friendship.
Nicolai
Have you made friends with him lately?
Arkady
Yes, quite lately.
Nicolai
Ah, that accounts for my not seeing him last winter.
(Pause)
What does he study?
Arkady
Natural science. But he knows everything. Next year he’ll take his doctor’s degree.
Nicolai
Ah,—a physician. That’s good. Russia can use doctors. Incidentally, Arkady, I’ve had a lot of bother with the peasants this year.
Arkady
Now that they’ve been emancipated. They’re difficult, eh?
Nicolai
Yes. They are being set against me.
Arkady (examining the garden)
You’ve no shade; it’s a pity.
Nicolai
But I’ve had an awning put up—
(He points)
We can have dinner even in the open air.
Arkady
What air though? I don’t believe there’s such a fragrance in the world as in the meadows here.
(Arkady is suddenly embarrassed by his own enthusiasm)
What would Bazarov say if he heard me gushing like this?
Nicolai
Of course. You were born here, so everything here is special to you.
Arkady
Oh,