The book was written in 1907–at a time of a horrific political reaction to enormous changes in Russian society (democratic activities, first democratically elected Duma in 1906, as well as the Russian Revolution of 1905). Russian society was heavily influenced by the Russian Orthodox Church and to lesser extent Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam, none of which condoned an open expression of sexuality.
The book was penned in 1907—during a period of intense political backlash against significant transformations in Russian society (democratic movements, first democratically elected Duma in 1906, and the Russian Revolution of 1905). Russian society was profoundly shaped by the Russian Orthodox Church and to a lesser extent Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam, none of which supported an open display of sexuality.