Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov, "the boomer," is a retired officer and an aristocrat who supports liberalism. Evgeny Bazarov is a student and a nihilist, who despises liberalism as well as conservatism. They're discussing science, and Kirsanov is trying desperately to understand Bazarov's rebellious logic, but only grows increasingly bitter in the process.
* * *
"That is to say, you prefer physics to anything else?" This from Paul Petrovitch.
"Yes, I prefer physics-in fact, the natural sciences in general-to anything else."
"Well, I am told that the Germanics have made great strides in that department?" (Paul Petrovitch used the term "Germanics" instead of "Germans" ironically, but no one noticed it.)
"True," was Bazarov's careless reply. "In fact, the Germans are, in the same respect, our masters."
"You think highly of the Germans?" Paul Petrovitch's tone was now studiously polite, for he was beginning to feel irritated with the man-his aristocratic nature could not altogether stomach Bazarov's absolute lack of ceremony, the fact that this doctor's son not only knew no diffidence, but actually returned snappish and reluctant answers, and infused a brusquerie akin to rudeness into his tone.
"At least the savants of that part of the world have some energy in them," retorted Bazarov.
"Quite so. And your opinion of our Russian savants is - well, perhaps less flattering?"
"It is, with your leave."
"That constitutes a piece of laudable modesty on your part," Paul Petrovitch observed with a slight hitch of his figure and a toss of his head. "But how comes it about that Arkady has just told us that you recognize no authorities whatsoever? Do you not trust authorities?"
"Why should I? Is anything in the world trustworthy? Certainly, should I be told a fact, I agree with it, but that is all."
"Oh! Then the Germans confine themselves solely to facts?" Paul Petrovitch's face had now assumed an expression of detachment, as though he had suddenly become withdrawn to the ultimate heights of the empyrean.
"No, not all Germans," replied Bazarov with a passing yawn. Clearly, he had no mind to continue the controversy."
(Translated by C. J. Hogarth)
Fonte:
https://www.malaysiasun.com/news/263651845/boomers-vs-zoomers-in-russian-literature
