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Character guide

A Russian Gentleman characters

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

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Portrait of Stepan Mikhailovich BagrovoStepanPortrait of Arina Vassilyevna BagrovaArinaPortrait of Alexei Stepanovich BagrovoAlexeiPortrait of Sofya Nikolayevna BagrovaSofyaPortrait of Praskovya Ivanovna BagrovaPraskovya

12 illustrated profiles

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Portrait of Stepan Mikhailovich Bagrovo from A Russian Gentleman

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.

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Portrait of Arina Vassilyevna Bagrova from A Russian Gentleman

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.

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Portrait of Alexei Stepanovich Bagrovo from A Russian Gentleman

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.

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Portrait of Sofya Nikolayevna Bagrova from A Russian Gentleman

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.

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Portrait of Praskovya Ivanovna Bagrova from A Russian Gentleman

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.

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Portrait of Mikhail Maksimovich Kurolyessoff from A Russian Gentleman

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.

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Portrait of Alexandra Stepanovna Bagrova from A Russian Gentleman

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.

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Portrait of Elizabeth Stepanovna Bagrova from A Russian Gentleman

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.

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Portrait of Tatyana Stepanovna Bagrova from A Russian Gentleman

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.

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Portrait of Aksinya Stepanovna Bagrova from A Russian Gentleman

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.

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Portrait of Nikolai Zubin from A Russian Gentleman

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.

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Portrait of Alexandra Zubina from A Russian Gentleman

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.

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