Bazarov is a medical student representing the new, radical-thinking youth of Tsarist Russia. He defines himself as a 'nihilist'; he accepts no values, authority, tradition, or art outside of empirical evidence. While visiting his friend Arkady's family in Maryino, he enters into fierce intellectual conflicts with Pavel Petrovich, who represents the old aristocratic world. Although he views love only as a physiological necessity and a romantic malaise, he falls deeply in love with Anna Odintsova, which leads him to contradict his own beliefs and experience spiritual turmoil. At the end of the story, he infects himself through carelessness while treating a typhus case in his village and dies a tragic death, which he tries to face with stoic, scientific detachment.
The only child of Vasily Ivanovich, a former army surgeon, and Arina Vlasyevna, who was of noble descent but ignorant and superstitious. He was raised in poor conditions, clawing his way up and educating himself in Saint Petersburg without bowing to anyone. His youth was spent in financial hardship and in defining his ideals.
Tall and thin. He has a pale but strong complexion; a broad skull, long yellowish, sandy-colored sideburns, a nose that is flat at the top and pointed at the bottom, and piercing greenish eyes. He usually wears a dusty, long overcoat and sloppy clothes, mocking the neckties and white gloves worn by aristocrats.
Pavel Petroviç Kirsanov
His enemy and representative of his opposite; they disdain one another, and their competition evolves from sarcasm to a duel.
Anna Sergeyevna Odintsova
His great and impossible love for whom he shows weakness for the first and last time in his life.
Vasiliy İvanoviç Bazarov
His father who loves him to the point of worship; he loves him, but is stifled by his affection.
Arkadiy Nikolayeviç Kirsanov
His friend and former disciple; their ideological affinities have been defeated by Arkady's romantic nature.
Feneçka (Fedosya Nikolayevna)
The young peasant woman whose smile he loves and whom he kissed, disregarding all boundaries.