Turgenev and Gender Issues in his Russia

The story of “Khor and Kalinych”, which tells about Turgenev’s encounter with these two peasants, shows the reader of the ill treatment of women. During Turgenev’s stay with Khor he witnessed many of the peasant’s chauvinistic tendencies towards his wife and children. Turgenev offers a brief description of Khor’s wife, “…an aged and shrewish woman spent the whole day over the stove and was the source of persistent complaints and abuse; her sons paid not attention to her…” Turgenev and Khor enjoyed each other’s company and discussed many subjects relating to the life of the peasantry. As their discussion concluded, Turgenev asked Khor if he could stay t

The last story, “Meeting”, is about a young girl’s conversation with another man. Turgenev witnesses this encounter as well as the man verbally abusing the girl. This man argues with the girl that it is not possible for them to be married. The girl is obviously infatuated with him and pleads for his comfort. Throughout the encounter the man refers to the girl’s actions as being stupid and ignorant. When the girl held the piece of glass up to her wrong eye the man responded by saying, “Not that one, not that one idiot.” Later in the conversation, the man explains to her that he is not angry with her but blames her for being stupid. His lack of respect and courtesy deeply saddens the young girl. When she began to cry the man simply stood up, shrugged his shoulders, and walked away. This certainly shows of the man’s lack of respect and treatment of this saddened girl.

“Kasyan from the beautiful lands” is a story that recounts Turgenev’s encounter with a serf named Kasyan. While Turgenev is traveling, his carriage’s axle breaks and he is forced to seek for help in the next village. He meets Kasyan who agrees to show him where he could find a replacement axle. Later in the story he is introduced to Kasyan’s relative, Annushka. She had been picking mushrooms when Kasyan and Turgenev came upon her. After a short conversation, Kasyan orders the girl to return to the village. Turgenev interrupts

Some topics in this essay:
Kasyan Turgenev, Turgenev Khor, Hunter’s Album, Chapter Christian, St Petersburg, Turgenev Yermolay, lack respect, turgenev khor, gender issues, towards women story, respect towards women, women treated, turgenev’s stories, treatment women, kasyan turgenev, towards women, provide reader, respect towards,