Fathers and Sons

The novel “Fathers and Sons” is one of the most significant works of nineteenth-century Russian literature, written by Ivan Turgenev. At the center of the narrative lies an ideological conflict between two generations: the “fathers”—liberal aristocrats—and the “sons”—nihilists who reject traditional values. The novel’s protagonist, Yevgeny Bazarov, embodies the archetype of the nihilist, whose radical views clash with the conservative convictions of the older generation.