Short Fiction · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Short Fiction by Ivan Bunin.
Theodot
major
Also known as III Theodot, IV Theodot
A central figure, possibly a ruler or patriarch, frequently referenced with pronouns.
Alexander Romanov Shasha
major
Also known as Shasha
A prominent character, often referred to as Shasha, with significant narrative presence.
Chang
major
Also known as The sick Chang, The Chinaman—Chang
A key figure, likely a sailor or dreamer, central to a story about perception.
The Gentleman from San Francisco
major
A wealthy American traveler whose death at a resort triggers existential reflection.
Kasimir Stanislavovitch
major
Also known as April Kasimir Stanislavovitch
A character with a complex identity, possibly an artist or intellectual.
Gautami
major
Also known as Gautami the Lean
A wise or ascetic female figure, likely a spiritual guide or storyteller.
Constantine
supporting
Also known as Constantine Emile Du-Buis, Emile Du-Buis, Emile
A character with multiple aliases, possibly a traveler or lover.
Vanniya
supporting
A recurring character, possibly a servant or local figure.
Roman
supporting
A named character with sustained presence in the narrative.
Madame Maraud
supporting
Also known as Madame Maraud Emile, Emile, Son Madame Maraud
A matriarchal figure, possibly a mother or landlady.
Semyon Novikov
supporting
Also known as Semyon
A named character, possibly a peasant or worker.
Anna
supporting
A female character with emotional or romantic significance.
Ivlev
supporting
Also known as Love A certain Ivlev
A character central to a story of love or memory.
Olga Meschersky
supporting
Also known as Olga, Meschersky
A young woman, possibly a student or socialite, with a tragic arc.
Pashka
supporting
Also known as The happy Pashka
A cheerful or simple character, possibly a servant or youth.
Father Rodion
supporting
Also known as Rodion, Father Rodion—he
A priest or religious figure with a role in the community.
Kate
supporting
Also known as Katherine
A female character, possibly a love interest or relative.
Zotov
minor
A named character with limited but distinct appearances.
Aglaia
major
A central female figure in a story of beauty or fate.
Ivan Bunin
minor
Also known as Ivan
The author appears as a character or narrator in some stories.
Kiriushka
minor
A minor character, possibly a child or servant.
Phenka
minor
A minor female character with brief appearances.
Elijah
minor
A biblical or folk prophet figure appearing in a story.
The Colonel
minor
A military officer with a minor narrative role.
Flaxen
minor
A character referred to by hair color, likely a youth.
Chaikin
minor
A named character, possibly a tradesman or neighbor.
M. Maraud
minor
A male relative of Madame Maraud, possibly her husband.
Alexey Mikhailovitch Malyntin
minor
Also known as Malyntin
A named character with a formal title, possibly a landowner.
Lushka
minor
Also known as this Lushka, a certain Lushka
A minor female character, possibly a peasant or lover.
Vera
minor
A female character with a brief but named role.
Polkanikha
minor
Also known as this Polkanikha
A minor female character, possibly a widow or elder.
Nikolai Ivannich
minor
A named character with a patronymic, likely a local figure.
The Officer
minor
A military officer appearing in a scene.
Koslov
minor
A named character, possibly a merchant or traveler.
The Englishman
minor
A foreign character appearing in a story.
Luigi
minor
An Italian character, possibly a servant or musician.
The Master
minor
A figure of authority, possibly a landowner or employer.
D. H. Lawrence
minor
Also known as Lorenzo
The author appears as a character or reference.
Nicanor Matveich
minor
A named character with a patronymic, likely a local elder.
Postnii
minor
A minor character, possibly a monk or ascetic.
Simon
minor
A biblical or folk name appearing in a story.
Makar
minor
A minor character, possibly a peasant or worker.
Kostiya
minor
A diminutive name, possibly a child or servant.
Khvoshchinsky
minor
Also known as this Khvoshchinsky
A named character, possibly a landowner or eccentric.
Carmela
minor
An Italian female character with a minor role.
John
minor
Also known as John the Hairy
A character with a descriptive epithet, possibly a hermit.
Isaac the Anchorite
minor
Also known as Isaac
A religious recluse appearing in a story.
Pakhomka
minor
A minor character, possibly a peasant or worker.
Nast
minor
A minor female character, possibly a servant.
Mara
minor
A female character with a brief appearance.
Madame Bonnay
minor
A French female character with a minor role.
Elise
minor
A female character, possibly a child or young woman.
Mark the Grave Digger
minor
A laborer associated with death or burial.
