Character guide

Elena Nikolaevna Stahova

major

Also known as Elena, poor Elena, Hélène, Lenotchka

The novel's central heroine, a passionate and idealistic young woman seeking purpose.

Dmitri Nikanorovitch Insarov

major

Also known as Insarov, Mr. Insarov, Dmitri, the Bulgarian

A Bulgarian revolutionary dedicated to liberating his homeland from Turkish rule.

Andrei Petrovitch Bersenyev

supporting

Also known as Bersenyev, Andrei, young Bersenyev

A scholarly young man and friend of Shubin, in love with Elena.

Pavel Yakovlitch Shubin

supporting

Also known as Shubin, Pavel, the Artist Pavel Yakovlitch Shubin, Pavel Shubin

A talented sculptor and Elena's cousin, witty and artistic.

Nikolai Artemyevitch Stahov

supporting

Also known as Stahov, Nikolai Artemyevitch, Nikolai Stahov

Elena's father, a retired civil servant with a mistress.

Anna Vassilyevna Stahova

supporting

Also known as Anna Vassilyevna, Vassilyevna

Elena's nervous and hypochondriac mother.

Uvar Ivanovitch Stahov

minor

Also known as Uvar Ivanovitch, Uvar Ivanovitch's

A retired cavalry officer and relative of the Stahovs, often silent.

Zoya Nikitishna Mueller

supporting

Also known as Zoya, ideal Zoya Nikitishna, Zoya Nikitishna, Zoé

A pretty but shallow German companion to Anna Vassilyevna.

Renditch

minor

A mysterious figure who assists Insarov with his revolutionary plans.

Yegor Andreyevitch Kurnatovsky

supporting

Also known as Kurnatovsky, Mr. Kurnatovsky, Yegor Andreyevitch, Monsieur Kurnatovsky

A government official and suitor to Elena, proposed by her father.

Katya

minor

A young servant girl in the Stahov household.

Augustina Christianovna

minor

Also known as Christianovna

Nikolai Stahov's German mistress.

Prince Ardalion Tchikurasov

minor

Also known as Prince Tchikurasov

A minor nobleman who appears at a social gathering.

Annushka

minor

A maid in the Stahov household.

Karolina Vogelmeier

minor

A German acquaintance of the Stahovs.

Lupoyarov

minor

A Bulgarian acquaintance of Insarov.