Character guide

Lisa Mihalovna

major

Also known as Lisa, Sweet angel Betsy, Lisaveta Mihalovna

A devout and gentle young woman, central to the novel's romantic and moral conflicts.

Fedor Ivanitch Lavretsky

major

Also known as Lavretsky, Fedor, Fedor Ivanitch, Young Lavretsky, Poor Lavretsky

The protagonist, a nobleman returning to his estate after a failed marriage abroad.

Varvara Pavlovna Lavretsky

major

Also known as Varvara Pavlovna, Pavlovna, Varvara

Lavretsky's beautiful but unfaithful wife, whose betrayal drives the plot.

Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin

supporting

Also known as Panshin, Vladimir, Nikolaitch, Mr. Panshin

A charming and ambitious young official who courts Lisa.

Marya Dmitrievna Kalitin

supporting

Also known as Kalitin, Marya Dmitrievna, Dmitrievna, Madame Kalitin

Lisa's mother, a widow and mistress of the Kalitin household.

Marfa Timofyevna Pestov

supporting

Also known as Marfa Timofyevna, Pestov

Marya Dmitrievna's sharp-tongued but kind-hearted aunt.

Christopher Theodor Gottlieb Lemm

supporting

Also known as Lemm, C. T. G. Lemm, Monsier Lemm, the poor German

An elderly German music teacher living in the Kalitin home.

Glafira Petrovna

supporting

Also known as Glafira, Petrovna

Lavretsky's stern and domineering aunt who raised him.

Mihalevitch

minor

An old university friend of Lavretsky, a passionate and idealistic man.

Ivan Petrovitch

minor

Also known as Ivan

Lavretsky's father, a man of Westernized tastes and a difficult temper.

Gedeonovsky

minor

Also known as Sergei Petrovitch Gedeonovsky

A local gossip and frequent visitor to the Kalitin house.

Agafya Vlasyevna

minor

Also known as Agafya

A pious peasant woman who influenced Lisa's religious upbringing.

Anton

minor

Also known as old Anton, Old Anton

An old servant at Lavretsky's estate, loyal and garrulous.

Piotr Andreitch

minor

Also known as Piotr

Lavretsky's grandfather, a harsh landowner of the old school.

Malanya Sergyevna

minor

Also known as Malanya

Lavretsky's mother, a gentle serf woman married by his father.

Anna Pavlovna

minor

A relative of the Kalitins, a society lady in St. Petersburg.

Nastasya Karpovna Ogarkov

minor

Also known as Nastasya Karpovna

A poor widow and companion to Marfa Timofyevna.

Shurotchka

minor

A young girl in the Kalitin household, possibly a ward or relative.

Lenotchka

minor

A young girl, possibly a servant or child in the Kalitin circle.

Mademoiselle Moreau

minor

A French governess in the Kalitin household.

Pavel Petrovitch Korobyin

minor

Also known as old Korobyin, General Korobyin

Varvara's father, a retired general of modest means.

Ada

minor

Also known as Mademoiselle Ada

Lavretsky and Varvara's young daughter.

Justine

minor

A French maid in Varvara Pavlovna's service.

M. Jules

minor

Also known as this M. Jules

A French companion and possible lover of Varvara Pavlovna.

Madame Byelenitsin

minor

A society acquaintance of Varvara Pavlovna in St. Petersburg.

Andrei

minor

A servant or minor figure in the Lavretsky household.

Roska

minor

Also known as the fat Roska

A dog belonging to the Kalitin household.

Kalliopa Karlovna

minor

A German woman, possibly a music teacher or companion.

Dmitri Pestov

minor

Also known as Pestov

Marfa Timofyevna's deceased brother and Marya's father.

Apraxya

minor

A servant in the Kalitin household.

Matross

minor

A dog belonging to the Lavretsky estate.

Palashka

minor

A servant girl in the Kalitin household.