# Dmitri Nikanorovitch Insarov — On the Eve character guide > Dmitri Nikanorovitch Insarov in On the Eve by Ivan Turgenev. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Insarov, Mr. Insarov, Dmitri, the Bulgarian **First appearance:** 0003-iv ## Snapshot A reserved Bulgarian student with one fixed idea — freeing his country from Turkish rule — and an iron will that unsettles everyone he meets. ## Who they are Insarov arrives in Moscow to study, but his real education is preparation for a revolution: his mother was murdered, his father shot, and he carries the scar of his own dangerous years in Bulgaria. He is poor, proud, refuses to borrow, and answers personal questions with generalities. His single-mindedness gives Elena the purpose she craves and forces the novel to ask what love costs when a cause comes first. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/i) Mentioned by Bersenyev as a Bulgarian patriot he has met again and invited to stay. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/vii) Agrees to move to Bersenyev's cottage after negotiating the rent. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/x) Insarov is described as a Bulgarian student with a single-minded goal of liberating his country; his parents were killed by Turks, and he is characterized as iron-willed yet childlike. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xi) Moves in with Bersenyev, sets up his room, and begins his rigorous work schedule. Remains calm and straightforward during Shubin's antics. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xii) Insarov visits the Stahovs; he makes a modest impression on Elena, though he finds her excitable in a fine way. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xiii) Visits the Stahovs infrequently; disappears mysteriously with two Bulgarian visitors after a quarrel; returns sunburnt and dusty. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xiv) Reveals his recent trip to settle a dispute among Bulgarian compatriots, explains his prioritization of national liberation over personal revenge, and shares his deep love for Bulgaria. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xv) Insarov participates in the excursion, rows the boat, and is the focus of Elena's attention; he is described as a hero by Shubin. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xvi) Insarov is the subject of Elena's diary entries; she admires his sincerity, his dedication to his cause, and feels drawn to him. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xvii) Announces his sudden decision to leave Kuntsovo for Moscow, driven by his resolve to avoid personal love that might conflict with his duty to Bulgaria. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xviii) Initially tries to leave without farewell, but reveals his love when Elena confesses; warns her of the sacrifices ahead. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xx) Insarov is the subject of Shubin's bust and statuette, depicted both heroically and satirically. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxi) Elena writes him letters and anxiously awaits his visit. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxii) The recipient of Elena's letter; she compares Kurnatovsky unfavorably to him, emphasizing Insarov's faith and idealism. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxiii) Receives Elena in his room, reads letters from Bulgaria, and agrees to plan their joint departure. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxiv) Falls ill with fever and delirium after visiting the Stahovs; later consults an attorney about a passport for his secret plan with Elena. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxv) Insarov is dangerously ill with pneumonia, unconscious and delirious. He mutters about 'she' and 'mignonette,' revealing his preoccupation with Elena. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxvi) Lies between life and death for eight days, then recovers consciousness and is saved. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxvii) Recovering slowly from his illness; receives Elena's note arranging a private meeting. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxviii) Recovering from illness, overwhelmed by Elena's visit and his love for her. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxx) Mentioned as Elena's husband; his health is failing (coughing, spitting blood), but he is active in preparations for departure to Bulgaria. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxxi) Referred to as 'the Montenegrin vagrant' by Nikolai Artemyevitch; Elena begs to let him thank her mother, but Anna Vassilyevna is not yet ready to see him. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxxii) Insarov is eager to leave Moscow, though visibly ill and emaciated; he meets Anna Vassilyevna secretly and prepares for the journey. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxxiii) Insarov is physically weakened, coughing, and pale. He expresses bitterness about his condition and longing for his homeland, and later falls into a feverish sleep. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxxiv) Weak and dying; criticizes Lupoyarov as representative of the younger generation; dies of aneurism and lung disease. ### [Chapter XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/chapters/xxxv) Lies in his coffin; his death is the central event of the chapter. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/characters/dmitri_insarov - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_the_eve_se/characters