Character guide

Yevgeny Bazarov

major

Also known as Bazarov, Mr. Bazarov, VI Bazarov, Monsieur Bazarov, Yevgeny Vassilyitch, Yevgeny, Yevgeny Vassilyevitch, Enyusha

A nihilist medical student who challenges traditional values and becomes the central figure of the novel.

Arkady Kirsanov

major

Also known as Arkady Nikolaevitch, Nikolaevitch, Arkady Nikolaitch, Arkady Nikolaitch Kirsanov, Kirsanov, Nikolaitch, Arkady Kirsanov, Arkasha

A young nobleman and Bazarov's disciple who returns home from university with new ideas.

Pavel Petrovitch Kirsanov

major

Also known as Pavel, Pavel Petrovitch, Kirsanov, Pavel Kirsanov

Arkady's aristocratic uncle who becomes Bazarov's ideological antagonist.

Nikolai Petrovitch Kirsanov

major

Also known as Nikolai Petrovitch, Kirsanov, Nikolai, brother Nikolai Petrovitch, little Nikolai

Arkady's gentle father, a landowner trying to modernize his estate.

Anna Sergyevna Odintsov

major

Also known as Anna, Anna Sergyevna, Odintsov, Madame Odintsov, Madame Odintsov's, Odintsova

A wealthy, intelligent widow who captivates both Bazarov and Arkady.

Fenitchka

supporting

Also known as the reserved and staid Fenitchka, Fedosya Nikolaevna, Fedosya, Nikolaevna

Nikolai's young mistress and mother of his child Mitya.

Katya

supporting

Also known as Katya Sergyevna, Katerina Sergyevna

Anna Odintsov's younger sister, who later marries Arkady.

Vassily Ivanovitch

supporting

Also known as Vassily Ivanitch

Bazarov's devoted father, a retired army doctor.

Arina Vlasyevna

supporting

Also known as Vlasyevna, Arina Vlasyevna, Arina

Bazarov's loving and superstitious mother.

Sitnikov

minor

Also known as Herr Sitnikov, Mr. Sitnikov, Monsieur Sitnikov

A foolish hanger-on who pretends to be a progressive.

Evdoksya Kukshin

minor

Also known as Evdoksya, Kukshin, Madame Kukshin

An eccentric, emancipated woman who hosts intellectual gatherings.

Piotr

minor

Also known as Piotr Kirsanov

A servant in the Kirsanov household.

Matvy Ilyitch Kolyazin

minor

Also known as the Kolyazin, Matvy Ilyitch

A government official and relative of the Kirsanovs.

Father Alexey

minor

Also known as Father

A local priest who visits the Bazarov household.

Timofeitch

minor

Also known as This Timofeitch

An old servant of the Bazarov family.

Mitya

minor

The infant son of Nikolai and Fenitchka.

Dunyasha

minor

A maid in the Kirsanov household.

Prokofitch

minor

An elderly servant at the Kirsanov estate.

Princess R

minor

Also known as Princess R⸺

A mysterious woman from Pavel Petrovitch's past.

Anfisushka

minor

An old servant in the Bazarov household.

Porfiry Platonovitch

minor

Also known as Porfiry Platonitch

A neighbor and acquaintance of the Kirsanovs.

Agathokleya Kuzminishna Kirsanov

minor

Also known as Agathokleya Kuzminishna

Pavel and Nikolai's deceased aunt.

Sergay Nikolaevitch Loktev

minor

The deceased father of Anna and Katya Odintsov.

Avdotya Stepanovna H

minor

Also known as Avdotya Stepanovna H⸺

A local landowner mentioned in passing.