Short Fiction · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Short Fiction by Aleksandr Kuprin.
Olyessia
major
Also known as Olyessia
A young witch living in the Polissian woods who falls in love with a visiting gentleman.
Sasha
major
Also known as Sasha I Gambrinous, Gambrinous
A violinist at the Gambrinus beer hall, central to the story of that establishment.
Sulamith
major
Also known as the beautiful Sulamith
The beloved of King Solomon, a beautiful vineyard worker who becomes his queen.
Captain Ribnikov
major
Also known as Staff-Captain Ribnikov, Ribnikov, Vassily Alexandrovich Ribnikov
A mysterious Japanese spy posing as a Russian army officer in St. Petersburg.
King Solomon
major
Also known as Solomon
The wise and powerful king of Israel, central to the story of Sulamith.
Princess Vera Sheyin
major
Also known as Vera, Princess Vera Nikolayevna Sheyin, Vera Nikolayevna, Sheyin
The protagonist of 'The Garnet Bracelet', a noblewoman who receives a mysterious gift.
Buzyga
supporting
Also known as Buzyga
A coarse and boisterous fisherman on the Danube delta.
Kashintzev
supporting
Also known as Kashintzev
A Russian officer involved in a duel and romantic intrigue.
Kostromsky
supporting
Also known as the astonished Kostromsky
A fellow officer and friend of Kashintzev.
Vladimir Ivanovich Schavinsky
supporting
Also known as Schavinsky, Vladimir Ivanovich
A painter and friend of the narrator in 'The River of Life'.
Anna Friedrichovna
supporting
Also known as Anna, Anna Nikolayevna Friesse, Anna Nikolayevna
Vera's younger sister, a flirtatious society woman.
Yasha
supporting
Also known as Yasha
A young Jewish boy, the central character of 'The Jewess'.
Yarmola
supporting
Also known as II Yarmola, Yarmola Popruzhuk
A peasant servant and companion to the narrator in 'The Witch'.
Emerald
supporting
Also known as III Emerald, VI Emerald
A magnificent racehorse, the protagonist of the story 'Emerald'.
Sergey Kondrashov
supporting
Also known as Kondrashov, Sergey, little Sergey
A young man who becomes involved with a mysterious woman.
Kate
supporting
Also known as Mademoiselle Kate, Melle Kate, dear Kate
A young governess or companion in a household.
Voskresenski
supporting
Also known as Voskresenski
A student and revolutionary involved in political activities.
Boris Goudounov
supporting
Also known as Boris
A historical figure, Tsar of Russia, appearing in a story.
Voznitsin
supporting
Also known as Kolya Voznitsin, Kolya, Nikolai Ivanitch Voznitsin
A young officer and friend of the main character in 'The Duel'.
Onisim Kozel
minor
Also known as V Onisim Kozel, Kozel, Onisim, Uncle Kozel
An old Cossack, a minor character in a story.
General Anosov
supporting
Also known as Anosov, the Great General Anosov, Major Anosov
An old family friend of the Sheyins, a wise and respected general.
Zavalishine
supporting
Also known as Zavalishine, Pavel Arkadievitch Zavalishine
A dissipated nobleman and gambler.
Vasil
minor
Also known as Vasil
A young peasant man, a character in a story.
Mr. Zheltkov
supporting
Also known as Zheltkov, G. S. Zheltkov
A poor telegraphist who secretly loves Princess Vera.
Grandfather Martin Lodishkin
supporting
Also known as Martin, Lodishkin, Grandfather, grandfather
An old organ-grinder traveling with a boy and a dog.
Movsha Khatzkel
minor
Also known as Movsha, Khatzkel
A Jewish tavern keeper in a small town.
Nikolay Nikolayevich
minor
Also known as Nikolay, Nikolay Nikolayevich
A character in a story, possibly a relative or friend.
Stepan Nilitch Rybkin
supporting
Also known as Stepan, Rybkin, Stepan Nilitch
A journalist and secret police informant.
Manuilikha
supporting
Also known as Granny Manuilikha, granny, Granny, old Manuilikha
An old witch living in the forest, Olyessia's grandmother.
Salvatore Trama
minor
Also known as Salvatore, Trama, brave Trama
A fisherman and boatman in Balaklava.
Lenotchka
minor
Also known as Big Lenotchka, little Lenotchka, old Lenotchka, young Lenotchka
A woman in a story, possibly a servant or acquaintance.
Prince Vasily Sheyin
supporting
Also known as Prince Sheyin, Vasily, Prince Vasily Lvovich, Sheyin, Vasily Lvovich
Vera's husband, a kind but somewhat frivolous nobleman.
Vassili Akinfievitch
minor
Also known as Vassili
A character in a story, possibly a landowner or official.
Samoilenko
supporting
Also known as Samoilenko
A doctor and friend of the main character in 'The Duel'.
Melle Nora
minor
Also known as Nora, Little Nora
A young woman in a story, possibly a dancer or performer.
Anna Georgievna
minor
Also known as Anna, Bel
A woman involved in a romantic relationship.
Balunsky
minor
Also known as Balunsky
A fellow officer and friend of the main character.
Yureva
minor
Also known as Yureva
A society woman, possibly an actress or singer.
Mr. Rozanof
minor
Also known as Rozanof, XI Rozanof
A character in a story, possibly a journalist or writer.
Nikolai Yevgrafovitch Almazof
minor
Also known as Almazof, Nikolai Yevgrafovitch
A young officer in a story.
Jack
minor
Also known as Jack
A dog, possibly a character in a story.
Vanya Andrutzaki
minor
Also known as Vanya
A young Greek fisherman in Balaklava.
Sashka Argiridi
minor
Also known as Sashka
A Greek boy or young man in Balaklava.
Leonka
minor
Also known as VI Leonka, First Leonka
A young boy, a character in a story.
Prince Andrey Lvovitch
supporting
Also known as III Prince Andrey, Prince Andrey, Andrey, Andrey Lvovitch
Vera's brother, a young officer.
Timofeev
minor
Also known as Timofeev - Soumskoi
A fellow officer in a story.
Father Olympy
minor
Also known as Father, Olympy
A priest in a story.
Tommy
minor
Also known as Tommy
A dog, a character in a story.
M. Valerianov
minor
Also known as Valerianov
A character in a story, possibly a tutor or official.
Arto
supporting
Also known as Arto
A trained poodle, a central character in 'The White Poodle'.
Captain Markof
minor
Also known as Markof, Alexander Vassilitch Markof
A Russian officer, a character in a story.
Arseny
minor
Also known as Arseny
A servant or attendant in a story.
Sashka the Messenger
minor
Also known as Sashka
A messenger or errand boy in a story.
Lieutenant Lapshine
minor
Also known as Lapshine
A young officer in a story.
Menotti
minor
Also known as Menotti
An Italian fisherman or boatman in Balaklava.
Bouton
minor
Also known as the servile Bouton
A servant or valet in a story.
Yura Paratino
minor
Also known as Yura
A young man, a character in a story.
Trilly
minor
Also known as Trilly
A young woman, possibly a singer or performer.
Eliab
minor
Also known as Eliab
A biblical figure, a character in 'Sulamith'.
Demir-Kayá
minor
Also known as Demir - Kayá
A Tatar or Turkish character in a story.
Falstaff
minor
Also known as Falstaff
A literary reference, possibly a character in a story.
Blan
minor
Also known as the calm Blan
A character in a story, possibly a sailor or fisherman.
Yani Lipiadi
minor
Also known as Yani, young Yani Lipiadi
A young Greek in Balaklava.
Katerina Andreevna
minor
Also known as Andreevna
A woman in a story, possibly a relative or acquaintance.
Kharitonenko
minor
Also known as Kharitonenko
A character in a story, possibly a merchant or official.
Lieutenant Tchijhevich
minor
Also known as Lieutenant Valerian Ivanovich Tchijhevich, Tchijhevich
A young officer in a story.
Nadya
minor
Also known as Nadya
A young woman, a character in a story.
Madame Ivanova
minor
Also known as Madame Ivanova
A woman in a story, possibly a landlady or neighbor.
Pavel Arkadievitch Zavalishine
minor
Also known as Pavel, Pavel Arkadievitch
A character in a story, possibly a relative of Zavalishine.
M. Lara-Larsky
minor
Also known as Lara - Larsky
A character in a story, possibly a musician or performer.
Berger
minor
Also known as Berger
A character in a story, possibly a doctor or official.
Alychka
minor
Also known as Alychka
A young girl, a character in a story.
Adka
minor
Also known as Adka
A character in a story, possibly a servant or child.
Alexandra Ivanovna Gratcheva
minor
Also known as Alexandra Ivanovna
A woman in a story, possibly a landlady or neighbor.
Bartholomew
minor
Also known as Bartholomew
A character in a story, possibly a servant or worker.
Romka
minor
Also known as Romka
A young boy, a character in a story.
Clotilde
minor
Also known as Clotilde
A woman in a story, possibly a dancer or performer.
Mr. Obolianinov
minor
Also known as Obolianinov
A character in a story, possibly a landowner or official.
Dr. Iliashenko
minor
Also known as Iliashenko
A doctor in a story.
Bielotchka
minor
Also known as little Bielotchka
A young woman, a character in a story.
