# What Is to Be Done? — Character guide

> Key figures in What Is to Be Done? by Nikolay Chernyshevsky.

- [Viéra Pavlovna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/vera_pavlovna.md): Central protagonist, a young woman seeking independence and love through rational self-interest.
- [Dmitri Sergéitch Lopukhóf](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/dmitri_lopukhov.md): Vera's first husband, a medical student and rational egoist who stages a fake suicide.
- [Aleksandr Matvéitch Kirsánof](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/aleksandr_kirsanov.md): Vera's second husband, a doctor and close friend of Lopukhov, embodying the 'new man'.
- [Marya Alekséyevna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/marya_aleksyevna.md): Vera's scheming, materialistic mother who tries to marry her off for money.
- [Rakhmétof](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/rakhmetov.md): An ascetic revolutionary and 'extraordinary man' who inspires others through discipline.
- [Katerina Vasílyevna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/katerina_polozova.md): A wealthy heiress who becomes Vera's friend and later marries Charles Beaumont.
- [Mademoiselle Julie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/mademoiselle_julie.md): A French courtesan and friend of Vera who offers worldly advice.
- [Charles Beaumont](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/charles_beaumont.md): An American businessman who turns out to be Lopukhov in disguise.
- [Pavel Konstantinuitch Rozalsky](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/pavel_rozalsky.md): Vera's father, a weak-willed clerk dominated by his wife.
- [Mikhaïl Ivanuitch Storeshnikof](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/mikhail_storeshnikov.md): A wealthy but dull suitor pursued by Vera's mother.
- [Anna Petrovna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/anna_petrovna.md): A minor character, possibly a servant or neighbor in the Rozalsky household.
- [Masha](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/masha.md): Vera's loyal maid and assistant in her sewing cooperative.
- [Nástenka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/nastenka.md): A young woman whose story of love and sacrifice is told within the narrative.
- [Serge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/serge.md): A minor character, possibly a friend or acquaintance of the main circle.
- [Pólozof](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/polozof.md): Katerina's father, a wealthy retired businessman.
- [Sasha](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/sasha.md): A minor character, possibly a child or young relative.
- [Feódor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/feodor.md): A servant or minor functionary in the story.
- [Jean Sólovtsof](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/jean_solovtsov.md): A minor character, possibly a suitor or acquaintance.
- [Alekséi Petróvitch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/aleksei_petrovich.md): A minor character, possibly a doctor or official.
- [Mrs. Mertsálova](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/mertsalova.md): A friend of Vera's, part of the progressive circle.
- [Mertsálof](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/mertsalov.md): Husband of Mrs. Mertsalova, a fellow progressive.
- [Nikítin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/nikitin.md): A minor character, possibly a student or colleague.
- [Mosolof](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/mosolof.md): A minor character, possibly an official or acquaintance.
- [Natasha](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/natasha.md): A minor female character, possibly a friend of Vera.
- [Nikitushka Lomof](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/nikitushka_lomof.md): A barge-hauler mentioned as a symbol of raw strength.
- [Nastasia Borísovna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/nastasia_kriukova.md): A minor character, possibly a singer or acquaintance.
- [Sáshenka Pribuitkova](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/sashenka_pribuitkova.md): A minor female character in the progressive circle.
- [Rachel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/rachel.md): A famous actress mentioned in the narrative.
- [Adèle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/adele.md): A minor female character, possibly a friend of Julie.
- [Claude Bernard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/claude_bernard.md): French physiologist referenced in theoretical discussions.
- [Gogol](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/gogol.md): Russian writer mentioned in the narrative.
- [Pushkin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/pushkin.md): Russian poet referenced in the narrative.
- [Napoleon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/napoleon.md): French emperor mentioned as a historical comparison.
- [Newton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/newton.md): Scientist referenced in theoretical discussions.
- [Karamzin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/karamzin.md): Russian historian and writer mentioned in passing.
- [Peter the Great](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/peter_the_great.md): Russian tsar mentioned as a historical figure.
- [Mrs. Beecher Stowe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/beecher_stowe.md): American author mentioned in the narrative.
- [Mr. Lotter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/lotter.md): A minor character, possibly a business acquaintance.
- [Zakhártchenko](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/zakhartchenko.md): A minor character, possibly an official.
- [Ruzanof](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/ruzanof.md): A minor character mentioned in the narrative.
- [Daniluitch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/daniluitch.md): A minor character, possibly a servant or worker.
- [Agrafyéna Antonovna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/agrafyena_antonovna.md): A minor female character, possibly a housekeeper.
- [Geneviève](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/genevieva.md): A minor female character, possibly a friend of Julie.
- [Mikhaïl Ivanovitch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/mikhail_ivanovitch.md): A minor character, possibly a variant of Storeshnikov.
- [Professor N.](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/professor_n.md): An unnamed professor referenced in the text.
- [Baruina](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/baruina.md): A minor female character, possibly a landlady.
- [Aniuta](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/aniuta.md): A minor female character, possibly a worker.
- [Berthe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/berthe.md): A minor female character, possibly a friend of Julie.
- [de Merrick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/de_merrick.md): A minor character, possibly a foreigner mentioned in passing.
- [Kátenka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/katenka.md): A diminutive form of Katerina, possibly a child or servant.
- [Nádinka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/nadenka.md): A minor female character, possibly a variant of Nastenka.
- [Pauline](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/pauline.md): A minor female character, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
- [Maman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/maman.md): French for 'mother', used as a term of address.
- [Papa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/papa.md): French for 'father', used as a term of address.
- [Mámenka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/mamenka.md): Russian diminutive for 'mother', used by characters.
- [Golubtchik](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/golubtchik.md): Russian term of endearment, used as a form of address.
- [Starikashka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/starikashka.md): Russian pejorative for 'old man', used as a term of address.
- [Mílenki](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/milinki.md): Russian term of endearment, used as a form of address.
- [Akh](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/akh.md): An exclamation used as a character name in the NLP output.
- [Da](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/da.md): Russian for 'yes', used as a character name in the NLP output.
- [Nu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/nu.md): Russian interjection, used as a character name in the NLP output.
- [B](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/b.md): An initial used as a placeholder for a character.
- [D](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/d.md): An initial used as a placeholder for a character.

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