"Fathers and Sons" explores the generational conflict between the older, conservative generation of fathers and the younger, more radical generation of sons. Set against the backdrop of social and political changes in 19th-century Russia, the novel delves into the clash of ideologies, values, and lifestyles between the two generations. The central characters are Yevgeny Bazarov, a nihilistic young medical student, and his friend Arkady Kirsanov, who return home and challenge the traditional beliefs and norms of their elders.