The Village · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Village by Ivan Bunin.
Tikhon Ilitch
major
Also known as Ilitch, Tikhon, St. Peter Tikhon Ilitch, Tikon Ilitch, Tikhon Hitch
Central character, a merchant and former serf, whose life and family struggles drive the narrative.
Kuzma
major
Also known as Kuzma Ilitch, Kuzma Krasoff, Krasoff
Tikhon's brother, a complex figure involved in family conflicts and local affairs.
Syery
supporting
Also known as V Syery
A recurring character, possibly a servant or local, with significant presence in the village.
Deniska
supporting
A villager, often mentioned in daily life and interactions.
Akim
supporting
A peasant with a notable role in the village community.
Ivanushka
supporting
A young man, possibly a relative or servant, often focal in narrative passages.
Yakoff
supporting
Also known as Yakoff Mikititch, Mikititch
A local figure, possibly a merchant or official, with recurring appearances.
Nastasya Petrovna
supporting
Also known as Petrovna
A woman of some standing, involved in village social dynamics.
Rodka
minor
Also known as X Rodka
A villager, possibly a servant or laborer, with repeated mentions.
Zhikhareff
minor
A character, possibly a landowner or official, with a narrative presence.
Odnodvorka
minor
A female character, possibly a peasant, mentioned in village context.
Makarka
minor
A minor character, likely a servant or peasant.
Old Balashkin
minor
Also known as Balashkin, Balaskhin
An elderly figure in the village, possibly a relative or neighbor.
The Farmhand Koshel
minor
Also known as Koshel
A farmhand working in the village, with a few appearances.
Menshoff
minor
A minor character, possibly a local resident.
Oska
minor
A young boy or servant, occasionally mentioned.
The Priest
minor
Also known as batiushka, Batiushka
Local clergy, appears in religious and community scenes.
Senka
minor
A minor character, likely a servant or child.
Makar Ivanovitch
minor
Also known as Makar
A character with a few mentions, possibly a relative or acquaintance.
Consumptive Mitrofan
minor
Also known as Mitrofan
A sickly character, possibly a villager, with limited appearances.
Vaska
minor
A minor character, likely a servant or peasant.
Klasha
minor
A female character, possibly a servant or family member.
The Bride
minor
Also known as Bride
A bride in a wedding scene, possibly symbolic or specific.
Prince Bakhtin
minor
Also known as Bakhtin
A nobleman, possibly a landowner, with a brief appearance.
Donka the Goat
minor
Also known as The Goat, the Goat
A goat, possibly a pet or livestock, with a few mentions.
Little Russians
minor
Also known as the Little Russians
A group of people, possibly migrants or visitors, mentioned collectively.
Polozoff
minor
A minor character, possibly a merchant or official.
The Uhlan
minor
Also known as the Uhlan
A soldier, possibly a cavalryman, with a brief appearance.
The Postmaster
minor
Local postmaster, appears in a scene involving mail or communication.
Matorin
minor
A minor character, possibly a local resident.
Nil Afansaievitch
minor
A character with a few mentions, possibly an official or elder.
The Gipsy
minor
Also known as the Krasoffs, Krasoffs, The Gipsy
Nickname for a member of the Krasoff family, possibly a servant.
Shaggy Buyan
minor
Also known as Buyan
A dog or animal, possibly a pet, with a few mentions.
Motka
minor
A minor character, possibly a servant or child.
September Komar
minor
Also known as Komar
A character with a seasonal nickname, possibly a peasant.
Akh
minor
A minor character, possibly a servant or local.
Butylotchka
minor
A minor character, possibly a nickname for a person.
Khvostoff
minor
A minor character, possibly a landowner or official.
Rusanoff
minor
A minor character, possibly a neighbor or acquaintance.
Duck-Headed Matty
minor
Also known as Duck-headed Motya, Motya
A character with a distinctive nickname, possibly a servant.
Sakharoff
minor
Also known as Grumpy Sakharoff
A minor character, possibly a servant or worker.
Ilya Mironoff
minor
A minor character, possibly a peasant or worker.
Grey Man
minor
Also known as the Grey Man
A mysterious figure, possibly symbolic or a stranger.
Vystavkin
minor
A minor character, possibly a local resident.
Gatzuk
minor
A minor character, possibly a merchant or visitor.
Yegor
minor
A minor character, likely a servant or peasant.
Old Lukyan
minor
Also known as Lukyan
An elderly villager, possibly a relative or neighbor.
Akimka
minor
A minor character, possibly a child or servant.
Domashka
minor
A minor female character, possibly a servant.
