# VII explained — On the Eve

> Chapter companion for On the Eve by Ivan Turgenev.

## What happens

Bersenyev visits Insarov in Moscow to invite him to stay at his country cottage near Kuntsovo. After some negotiation about rent, Insarov agrees to move in, and they arrange the details with the landlord.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Social Hierarchy

The negotiation over rent and the description of Insarov's modest lodgings highlight the economic constraints and social distinctions between the two friends.

## Character check-ins

### Andrei Petrovitch Bersenyev

Visits Insarov in Moscow and persuades him to move into his cottage near Kuntsovo.

### Dmitri Nikanorovitch Insarov

Agrees to move to Bersenyev's cottage after negotiating the rent.

## Key lines

> My means would not allow of my living in a country house. It’s impossible for me to keep two lodgings.

Insarov explains that he cannot afford to maintain both his current room and a country cottage.

_Insarov's financial limitations are a key point in the negotiation._

> I can only take advantage of your offer if you agree to take the sum we have reckoned. Twenty roubles I am able to give, the more easily, since, as you say, I shall be economising there in other things.

Insarov insists on paying twenty roubles for the room to avoid being a burden.

_Insarov's pride and sense of fairness are evident in his insistence on paying._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/vii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_the_eve_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters