Character guide

A Russian Gentleman characters

Name: A Russian Gentleman
Author: Aksakov, S. T. (Sergei Timofeevich)

Who's who in A Russian Gentleman by Aksakov, S. T. (Sergei Timofeevich): meet the 12 main characters, see how they connect, and open a detailed profile for each.

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12 illustrated profiles

Meet the cast

Stepan Mikhailovich Bagrovo

Also known as Stepan Mihailovitch, my grandfather, the old master, batyushka Stepan Mihailovitch, Bagroff, Stepan Mikhailovich, Bagrov

The forceful patriarch of the Bagrov family, an energetic landowner who migrates from Simbirsk to the district of Ufa to establish a new estate. Physically powerful, practical, proud of his ancient lineage, and almost incapable of tolerating deceit or disorder, he is also generous and protective toward his dependants and neighbours. His violent temper and arbitrary punishments coexist with a strong sense of honour, justice, and affection for his family.

As drawn: A man, later elderly, under middle height with a prominent chest, uncommonly broad shoulders, sinewy arms, and a wiry, muscular frame. He has fair hair, regular features, large dark-blue eyes, thick eyebrows, and a frank, open face; he wears an old-fashioned frock-coat and neck stock.

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Arina Vassilyevna Bagrova

Also known as Arina Vassilyevna, Arisha, Arina, my grandmother, the mistress of the house

Stepan Mikhailovich's wife and the mother of his children. A simple, kind-hearted, and submissive woman, she manages the household while living under her husband's authority and often under the influence of her daughters. She is affectionate toward her son and later welcomes her daughter-in-law Sofya Nikolayevna, though her fear of Stepan Mikhailovich shapes much of her conduct.

As drawn: A woman, elderly and stout, dressed in a silk jacket and skirt with a silk handkerchief adorned with gold sprigs over her head.

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Alexei Stepanovich Bagrovo

Also known as Alexyéi Stepanitch, Alexyéi, Alosha, the young Bagroff, the only son, Alexei Stepanovich, Alyosha

Stepan Mikhailovich and Arina Vassilyevna's only son and heir. He is a handsome, gentle, bashful, and somewhat passive young man who serves in the Army and later works in the civil service at Ufa. He falls deeply in love with Sofya Nikolayevna and marries her with his parents' blessing; he possesses natural intelligence, kindness, honour, and integrity, but little independence or social confidence.

As drawn: A man of twenty-six, handsome and youthful, with a complexion of lilies and roses. He wears an official uniform with a three-cornered hat and sword; during illness, the uniform hangs loosely on his thinned frame.

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Sofya Nikolayevna Bagrova

Also known as Sofya Nikolayevna, Sonitchka, the Zubin girl, Mlle. Zubin, the young mistress

The intelligent and strong-willed daughter of Nikolai Zubin, who marries Alexei Stepanovich Bagrov. Having endured severe mistreatment from her stepmother, she becomes the effective manager of her father's household and office while still young. Educated, eloquent, socially accomplished, and accustomed to authority, she enters the Bagrov family determined to earn Stepan Mikhailovich's affection and to shape her husband's character, while struggling with her own impulsive temper.

As drawn: A young woman of remarkable beauty, with a polished, graceful appearance and expressive eyes. She wears fine, elegant city clothes.

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Praskovya Ivanovna Bagrova

Also known as Praskovya Ivanovna, Parasha, Parashka, the rich orphan, the clever cousin

Stepan Mikhailovich's orphaned cousin and ward, and the sole female representative of the Bagrov family in her generation. A wealthy heiress, she is married as a young girl to Mikhail Maksimovich Kurolyessoff through a scheme carried out by her maternal relatives and Bagrov women without Stepan Mikhailovich's consent. She later discovers her husband's cruelty, attempts to end his control over her estates, and is imprisoned and abused before Stepan Mikhailovich rescues her.

As drawn: A girl in her early teens, tall and well formed, with regular features, fine intelligent grey eyes, and dark, rather thick eyebrows. She wears a modest but well-made dress suitable for a wealthy noble orphan.

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Mikhail Maksimovich Kurolyessoff

Also known as Mikhail Maksimovich, Mihail Maximovitch, the Major, Kurolyessoff, the ruffian

An Army major and landowner who marries Praskovya Ivanovna Bagrova to gain control of her considerable property. Initially he appears courteous, capable, businesslike, and attentive to agricultural management, but he later becomes a drunken and brutally arbitrary master who terrorizes dependants, organizes a band of ruffians, and inflicts torture and violence on those under his authority. After Praskovya attempts to revoke his control, he imprisons and beats her at Parashino.

As drawn: A man of about twenty-eight, fine-looking and regularly featured, broadly considered handsome though with something subtly unpleasing in his appearance. He wears a red silk shirt.

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Alexandra Stepanovna Bagrova

Also known as Alexandra, Lexanya, Alexandra Karatayeva, the elder daughter

One of Stepan Mikhailovich's elder daughters. Clever, active, domineering, and sharp-tongued, she shares her father's violent temper without his generosity or sense of justice. She opposes Alexei's marriage to Sofya Nikolayevna, helps spread hostile gossip about the bride, and repeatedly schemes against her within the Bagrov family.

As drawn: A woman in early middle age with round, rolling eyes. She wears the formal dress of a married noblewoman.

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Elizabeth Stepanovna Bagrova

Also known as Elizabeth, Lizanka, the elder daughter

An elder daughter of Stepan Mikhailovich, described as clever but arrogant. She marries General Yerlykin and joins Alexandra in opposing Sofya Nikolayevna, using insinuations and family gossip to undermine the new bride.

As drawn: A woman in early middle age, dressed as a married noblewoman in a conservative, well-kept gown.

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Tatyana Stepanovna Bagrova

Also known as Tatyana, Tanyusha

Stepan Mikhailovich's youngest daughter and his favourite among the girls. She is more romantic and sympathetic than her elder sisters, supports her brother Alexei's love for Sofya Nikolayevna, and is generally less hostile toward her sister-in-law.

As drawn: A young woman in her late teens or early twenties, dressed in a simple, neat noblewoman's day dress.

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Aksinya Stepanovna Bagrova

Also known as Aksinya, Miss Simplicity

One of Stepan Mikhailovich's daughters, twice widowed by the time of the young Bagroffs' marriage. Known in the family as 'Miss Simplicity,' she is kind-hearted and genuinely welcomes Sofya Nikolayevna, defending her against the hostility of Alexandra and Elizabeth.

As drawn: A woman in early middle age, dressed in the subdued formal gown of a twice-widowed noblewoman.

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Nikolai Zubin

Also known as M. Zubin, M. Zubin the Lieutenant-Governor, Sofya's father

The Lieutenant-Governor of Ufa and father of Sofya Nikolayevna. After the death of his first wife, he marries again but becomes dominated by his cruel second wife, who mistreats Sofya. Following his second wife's death and his own paralytic stroke, he relies on Sofya to manage his household and official affairs. Though initially doubtful about Alexei Bagrov, he ultimately consents to their marriage.

As drawn: An elderly man, feeble and shrunk to a mere skeleton after paralysis, with an exhausted, anxious face. He wears a loose invalid's bedclothes or dressing-gown.

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Alexandra Zubina

Also known as Alexandra, Mme. Zubin, Sofya's stepmother

Nikolai Zubin's second wife and Sofya's stepmother. Hard and unfeeling, she resents Sofya's place in her father's affections and subjects her to degrading work, coarse clothing, beatings, and other humiliations. Before her death, she confesses her wrongdoing and asks Sofya's forgiveness.

As drawn: A woman in middle age, beautiful and intelligent-looking, with a still-strong, healthy appearance. She wears refined fashionable noblewoman's dress.

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A drawn page from the comic edition of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

A drawn page from the comic edition of Romeo and Juliet

A drawn page from the comic edition of Pride and Prejudice

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