The central conflict arises from the intense psychological rivalry between the idealistic, industrious Soviet 'new man' and the cynical, resentful intellectual who feels obsolete in the post-revolutionary landscape. Andrei Babichev, a visionary director of a food trust, represents the efficiency and progress of the new Soviet order, while Nikolai Kavalerov, a disaffected and bitter young man, views Babichev with a mixture of envy and hatred. Kavalerov attempts to assert his own significance through erratic behavior and intellectual posturing, ultimately clashing with the rigid, utilitarian world that has no place for his individualistic angst. The narrative utilizes a fragmented, stream-of-consciousness style to mirror the protagonist's unstable mental state and his alienation from the rapidly changing society.

Discussion often centers on the linguistic innovation and the sharp, biting irony that defines the narrative voice. Readers frequently highlight the effectiveness of the protagonist's internal monologue in conveying the suffocating nature of his envy. Critics often examine how the text balances the depiction of a changing political landscape with the timeless, universal experience of feeling inadequate. The work is recognized for its stylistic departure from the socialist realism that would later dominate the era, offering instead a complex, subjective view of human frustration. Many readers find the atmospheric tension between the two central characters to be the primary driver of the narrative's enduring impact.