# Andrei Petrovitch Bersenyev — On the Eve character guide > Andrei Petrovitch Bersenyev in On the Eve by Ivan Turgenev. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Bersenyev, Andrei, young Bersenyev **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot A quiet, self-effacing scholar who loves Elena without hope and keeps doing the decent thing even when it breaks him. ## Who they are Bersenyev is the friend everyone trusts: he introduces Insarov to Elena, lends money he won't miss, and carries notes between lovers he'd rather not serve. His father taught him he was a workman, not a darling of fortune, and he repeats that lesson to himself as a kind of consolation. His unrequited devotion makes him the moral measuring stick of the early and middle chapters. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/i) Lying on the grass, engaged in philosophical conversation with Shubin; speaks of inviting Insarov to stay. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/ii) Walks with Shubin, teases him about his failed trip to Little Russia, and remains calm and observant. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/iv) Shares his dream of becoming a professor, speaks of his father's influence, and feels a quiet delight in Elena's attentive listening. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/v) Listens to Shubin's confession, reflects on it, and plays the piano at home. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/vi) Bersenyev is mentioned as the subject of Elena's thoughts after their conversation. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/vii) Visits Insarov in Moscow and persuades him to move into his cottage near Kuntsovo. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/ix) Meets Shubin on the road and is directed to go to Elena in the garden. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/x) Bersenyev recounts Insarov's story to Elena, shares memories of his own father, and feels a vague sadness after sparking Elena's interest in Insarov. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xi) Hosts Insarov, observes his exactitude, and discusses Feuerbach and Bulgarian ballads with him. Notices Shubin's underlying agitation. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xii) Bersenyev introduces Insarov to the Stahovs and later listens to Shubin's late-night confession. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xiii) Visits the Stahovs daily; informs Elena of Insarov's disappearance and later of his return; feels a pang of jealousy. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xiv) Mentioned as having told Elena about Insarov's life and past; his visits to Elena become less frequent as Insarov's increase. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xv) Bersenyev feels overlooked as Elena talks to Insarov; he tries to join in singing and later defends Insarov to Shubin. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xvi) Bersenyev brings Elena books and is devoted to her, but she feels guilty for not reading them and notes he seems smaller compared to Insarov. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xvii) Informs Elena of Insarov's departure and reveals his suspicion that Insarov is in love with a Russian girl, acting as a go-between despite his own pain. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xix) Visits the Stahovs and delivers Insarov's apologies; he knows part of Elena's secret and provides her a sense of safety from Shubin's scrutiny. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xx) Bersenyev visits Shubin's attic, examines the sculptures, and expresses disgust at the self-caricature, but praises the bust of Insarov. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxiii) Returns to Moscow a few days after the Stahovs. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxv) Bersenyev takes charge of Insarov's care, staying with him through the night and vowing to save him. He acts as a mediator between Elena and the sick man. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxvi) Nurses Insarov, keeps Elena informed daily, and brings the news of recovery. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxvii) Visits Insarov daily, informs Elena of his health, and reluctantly agrees to stay away so Elena can meet Insarov alone. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxviii) Mentioned as having saved Insarov and as a noble friend who loved Elena. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxxii) Bersenyev arrives to see the couple off, shares an emotional embrace with Elena and Insarov, and reflects on the past. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/characters/andrei_bersenyev - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/characters