The central conflict arises from the protagonist's intense resentment toward a successful, modern Soviet citizen, triggering a psychological unraveling. Nikolai Kavalerov, a disaffected and cynical man, finds himself obsessed with Andrei Babichev, a high-ranking official who embodies the efficiency and progress of the new socialist order. Kavalerov attempts to assert his own significance through intellectual posturing and erratic behavior, but he is consistently thwarted by the rigid social structures and his own lack of purpose. The narrative utilizes a fragmented, non-linear structure that shifts between internal monologue and external observation to highlight the disconnect between the individual and the collective state.

Discussion often centers on the novel's sharp critique of the early Soviet era and its psychological depth regarding the nature of resentment. Readers frequently highlight the contrast between the protagonist's poetic, albeit bitter, internal world and the cold, mechanical reality of the society he inhabits. Critics often point to the stylistic innovation of the prose, which blends realism with dreamlike sequences to emphasize the protagonist's alienation. The work is widely regarded as a significant exploration of the friction between individual identity and the demands of a conformist state. Readers interested in character-driven narratives that prioritize psychological complexity over traditional plot progression will find this text particularly engaging.