Marfa Timofyevna Pestov

Lisa Mihalovna

Marfa Timofyevna is Lisa's great-aunt and devoted guardian, providing moral guidance and affection.

Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin

Marfa Timofyevna openly dislikes Panshin, seeing through his charm and considering him unworthy of Lisa.

Lisa Mihalovna

Marfa Timofyevna is Lisa's great-aunt and devoted guardian, providing moral guidance and affection.

Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin

Marfa Timofyevna openly dislikes Panshin, seeing through his charm and considering him unworthy of Lisa.

Lisa Mihalovna

Marfa Timofyevna is Lisa's great-aunt and devoted guardian, providing moral guidance and affection.

Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin

Marfa Timofyevna openly dislikes Panshin, seeing through his charm and considering him unworthy of Lisa.

I

Marya Dmitrievna's aunt, an eccentric and independent old woman of seventy, who speaks bluntly and dislikes Gedeonovsky.

II

Defends Lavretsky against Gedeonovsky's criticism, criticizes love-matches, and leaves the room in irritation.

VII

Greets Lavretsky with great affection, recalls his childhood, and insists on tea.

VIII

Ivan's cousin; she and her brother Dmitri shelter Malanya after the marriage.

IX

Accompanies Malanya to the Lavretsky household and later takes leave, having fallen out with Glafira.

XV

Visits the newlyweds at Lavriky; does not like Varvara Pavlovna.

XVII

Surrounded by her little court; expresses dislike for Panshin; gives Lavretsky a silver rouble for a memorial service for Glafira Petrovna; speaks of Lisa's religiosity.

XXIV

Declines the invitation, citing her age and preference for her own bed.

XXVIII

Marfa Timofyevna plays cards, complains about Gedeonovsky's poor play, and flushes with annoyance.

Lavretsky's Hope and Lisa's Confession

Welcomes Lavretsky warmly, plays old maid with Nastasya Karpovna, and encourages Lisa to entertain him.

XXXII

Begins to keep watch over Lisa; looks worried during the service.

XXXIII

Plays cards in the corner, mutters to herself, and later pats Lavretsky's cheek approvingly.

XXXIV

Marfa Timofyevna plays cards, then goes upstairs with Nastasya Karpovna, leaving Lavretsky and Lisa alone.

XXXV

After Lisa's father dies, Lisa comes under Marfa Timofyevna's charge; she later tries to temper Lisa's religious zeal, considering excessive prostrations unladylike.

XXXVIII

Confronts Lisa angrily about the nighttime meeting with Lavretsky, learns of Lisa's love, and forbids Lavretsky's admission for the day.

XXXIX

Treats Varvara Pavlovna with coldness and discourtesy; later kneels before Lisa and silently kisses her hands, weeping with her.

XL

Tries to keep Lisa from going downstairs and spends the night sitting beside Lisa's bed, protective and watchful.

XLII

Upset and fidgety, she orchestrates a private moment between Lavretsky and Lisa, then extracts a promise of honesty from Lavretsky.

XLV

Marfa Timofyevna discovers Lisa's distress and vehemently opposes her plan to become a nun, eventually agreeing to a six-month delay.

Epilogue

Died not long after her niece Lisa; buried beside Marya Dmitrievna.