Fathers and Sons

The novel explores the ideological clash between two generations in 19th-century Russia, focusing on the tension between the fading influence of the older, upper-class fathers and the emerging nihilistic views of the younger sons. Central characters Arkady Kirsanov and his friend Yevgeny Bazarov return to Arkady's family estate, sparking conflict as their modern beliefs challenge traditional values. Turgenev's work poignantly captures the societal shifts leading up to the Russian revolution, making it a significant literary achievement.