Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev’s (1818–1883) novel On the Eve was written at a turning point in Russian history, on the threshold of great social transformation. Composed just before the abolition of serfdom, it reflects the restless atmosphere of a society anticipating profound change.

At the heart of the novel are Elena Stakhova and Dmitry Insarov, two young people determined to dedicate their lives to higher ideals. Their striving for purpose and self-sacrifice deeply resonated with the revolutionary-minded youth of the 1860s–1870s, who found in these characters a model for their own aspirations. Yet Turgenev underscores how difficult it is to attain true happiness—even when two people share the same dream and the same goal.

The love story unfolds against this backdrop of historical expectation and concludes with an ending both unexpected and thought-provoking. More than a personal drama, On the Eve is a meditation on moral choice, youthful idealism, and the spirit of an era on the brink of transformation.