In the novel Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev, Arcady plays a major role both in his own life and the lives of others. Arcady, despite the shield he surrounds himself with, is not a true Nihilist like his friend Bazarov through his thoughts and actions we see his change. To begin, Arcady shows signs of Romanticism Early on in the novel despite the announcement of his Nihilist beliefs. For example, Bazarov and Arcady are …showed first 75 words of 832 total…

…showed last 75 words of 832 total…most vital of all creatures" (134). By the conclusion of the novel, we see that Arcady is part of the novel because he has the most influence on others as well as on himself, and also because he has the most to learn from life's experiences. He has established a life of his own. A life where he if free from Bazarov's hold and Nihilist ideas, and a life where he is free to be himself.