r Odintsova, he isshocked to discover the romanticist within himself (98). As he had previously iterated,any display of romantic feeling or emotion is strictly forbidden in a nihilist. Butfeelings of love and affection for Odintsova swell too large for Bazarov to repress. Annoyed, he has no choice but to let these emotions seep out. Indeed, a change had occurred in both [Arcady and Bazarov] (97), who madlylove Odintsova. Bazarov begins to reveal signs of uneasiness previously foreign to him: he was irritable, untalkative, sulky, and restless (97). His deep love for Odintsovacontradicts his strong nihilistic beliefs, creating great inner turmoil. Frozen in hisnihilistic beliefs, emotion begins to thaw Bazarovs cold heart, which Bazarov findspainful. Torn between his love for Odintsova and his brotherly affection for Katya, Arkadyabandoned himself to a quiet melancholy (93). Arkady experiences overwhelmingemotions of caring, love, and affection. Unlike Bazarov, Arkady does not recoil fromthese feelings, but does not dare admit them to his nihilistic friend and mentor. Bazarov gradually releases his nihilistic principles, surrendering to hisoverpowering attraction to Odintsova. Suffocating in suppressed passion, Bazarov finallyadmits his love to Odintsova, who rejects him. Bazarov immediately withdraws into hisnihilistic shell, allowing no emotion to penetrate. Any previous happiness vanishes. Bazarov concludes that every man hangs by a thread, a chasm may yawn at his feet anyminute, and he goes about looking for all kinds of troubles--spoils his own life (117). Love puts one in a vulnerable situation. One wrong twist and the lover falls into a pit ofdespair, as Bazarov nearly did. Bazarovs poor luck in love convinces him that the bestexistence is void of the passion which has caused him so much pain. Its better to breakstones in the road than to let a woman get hold even of your little finger (118). Insteadof seeing his m...
