# The Inspector General — Character guide

> Key figures in The Inspector General by Nikolai Gogol.

- [Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/khlestakov.md): A low-ranking clerk mistaken for a government inspector; the central figure of the play's deception.
- [Anton Antonovich Skvoznik-Dmukhanovsky](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/anton_antonovich.md): The corrupt town governor who panics upon hearing of the inspector's arrival and schemes to cover up his misdeeds.
- [Anna Andreyevna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/anna_andreyevna.md): The governor's wife, vain and ambitious, who flirts with Khlestakov and dreams of moving to St. Petersburg.
- [Marya Antonovna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/marya_antonovna.md): The governor's young daughter, courted by Khlestakov, who proposes to her before fleeing town.
- [Osip](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/osip.md): Khlestakov's shrewd and lazy servant, who sees through the town's mistake and advises his master to leave.
- [Piotr Ivanovich Bobchinsky](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/bobchinsky.md): A local landowner and gossip who, with Dobchinsky, first reports the inspector's arrival to the governor.
- [Piotr Ivanovich Dobchinsky](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/dobchinsky.md): A local landowner and gossip who, with Bobchinsky, first reports the inspector's arrival to the governor.
- [Artemy Filippovich Zemlianika](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/zemlianika.md): The trustee of charitable institutions, a sycophant who tries to curry favor with Khlestakov by denouncing others.
- [Ivan Kuzmich Shpekin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/postmaster.md): The postmaster who opens and reads others' letters, including Khlestakov's revealing letter at the end.
- [Luka Lukich Khlopov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/luka_lukich.md): The timid school superintendent, terrified of authority and easily intimidated by Khlestakov.
- [Ammos Fiodorovich Liapkin-Tiapkin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/ammos_fiodorovich.md): The judge, known for his hunting dogs and his casual attitude toward corruption and bribery.
- [Stepan Ivanovich Korobkin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/korobkin.md): A local landowner and retired official, part of the town's social circle.
- [Ivan Lazarevich Rastakovsky](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/rastakovsky.md): A retired official and local notable, one of the town's elder figures.
- [Ivan Kuzmich Shpekin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/shpekin.md): The postmaster, a gossip who opens letters out of curiosity.
- [Derzhimorda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/derzhimorda.md): A police officer under the governor's command, known for rough handling of civilians.
- [Svistunov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/svistunov.md): A police officer in the town, one of the governor's underlings.
- [Pugovichyn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/pugovichyn.md): A police officer mentioned among the governor's men.
- [Stepan Ilyich Ukhovertov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/ukhovertov.md): A police officer, one of the governor's subordinates.
- [Mishka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/mishka.md): The governor's servant, who runs errands and delivers messages.
- [Abdulin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/abdulin.md): A merchant who complains to Khlestakov about the governor's extortions.
- [Locksmith](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/locksmith.md): A woman, the wife of a locksmith, who petitions Khlestakov about the governor's abuses.
- [The Officer's Widow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/officer_widow.md): A widow who complains to Khlestakov that she was flogged by mistake.
- [Ivanova](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/ivanova.md): A widow mentioned in the town's complaints against the governor.
- [Prokhorov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/prokhorov.md): A doctor's assistant, mentioned in passing.
- [Christian Ivanovich Hübner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/christian_ivanovich.md): The town doctor, of German origin, who appears mostly silent.
- [Triapichkin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/triapichkin.md): Khlestakov's friend in St. Petersburg, to whom he writes a letter describing the town's folly.
- [Avdotya](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/avdotya.md): A servant mentioned in the governor's household.
- [Lukanchik](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/lukanchik.md): A minor character mentioned in the play.
- [Liuliukov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/liuliukov.md): A local landowner, part of the town's social circle.
- [Antosha](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/antosha.md): A nickname used by Anna Andreyevna for her husband.
- [Andrey Ivanovich](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/andrey_ivanovich.md): A minor character mentioned in the play.
- [Panteleyeva](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/panteleyeva.md): A minor character mentioned in the play.
- [Sister Anna Krillovna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/sister_anna_krillovna.md): A relative mentioned by Anna Andreyevna.
- [Labardan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters/labardan.md): A fish dish mentioned in the play, not a character.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_inspector_general_se/characters