# Marfa Timofyevna Pestov — A House of Gentlefolk character guide > Marfa Timofyevna Pestov in A House of Gentlefolk by Ivan Turgenev. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Marfa Timofyevna, Pestov **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Who they are Marya Dmitrievna's sharp-tongued aunt, who collects stray creatures and speaks uncomfortable truths with a bluntness that masks real tenderness. ## Relationships ### [Lisa Mihalovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/lisa_mihalovna) _family_ Marfa Timofyevna is Lisa's great-aunt and devoted guardian, providing moral guidance and affection. ### [Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/vladimir_nikolaitch_panshin) _rivalry_ Marfa Timofyevna openly dislikes Panshin, seeing through his charm and considering him unworthy of Lisa. ### [Lisa Mihalovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/lisa_mihalovna) _family_ Marfa Timofyevna is Lisa's great-aunt and devoted guardian, providing moral guidance and affection. ### [Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/vladimir_nikolaitch_panshin) _rivalry_ Marfa Timofyevna openly dislikes Panshin, seeing through his charm and considering him unworthy of Lisa. ### [Lisa Mihalovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/lisa_mihalovna) _family_ Marfa Timofyevna is Lisa's great-aunt and devoted guardian, providing moral guidance and affection. ### [Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/vladimir_nikolaitch_panshin) _rivalry_ Marfa Timofyevna openly dislikes Panshin, seeing through his charm and considering him unworthy of Lisa. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/i) Marya Dmitrievna's aunt, an eccentric and independent old woman of seventy, who speaks bluntly and dislikes Gedeonovsky. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/ii) Defends Lavretsky against Gedeonovsky's criticism, criticizes love-matches, and leaves the room in irritation. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/vii) Greets Lavretsky with great affection, recalls his childhood, and insists on tea. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/viii) Ivan's cousin; she and her brother Dmitri shelter Malanya after the marriage. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/ix) Accompanies Malanya to the Lavretsky household and later takes leave, having fallen out with Glafira. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xv) Visits the newlyweds at Lavriky; does not like Varvara Pavlovna. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxiv) Declines the invitation, citing her age and preference for her own bed. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxviii) Marfa Timofyevna plays cards, complains about Gedeonovsky's poor play, and flushes with annoyance. ### [Lavretsky's Hope and Lisa's Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxx) Welcomes Lavretsky warmly, plays old maid with Nastasya Karpovna, and encourages Lisa to entertain him. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxxii) Begins to keep watch over Lisa; looks worried during the service. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxxiii) Plays cards in the corner, mutters to herself, and later pats Lavretsky's cheek approvingly. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxxiv) Marfa Timofyevna plays cards, then goes upstairs with Nastasya Karpovna, leaving Lavretsky and Lisa alone. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxxviii) Confronts Lisa angrily about the nighttime meeting with Lavretsky, learns of Lisa's love, and forbids Lavretsky's admission for the day. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxxix) Treats Varvara Pavlovna with coldness and discourtesy; later kneels before Lisa and silently kisses her hands, weeping with her. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xl) Tries to keep Lisa from going downstairs and spends the night sitting beside Lisa's bed, protective and watchful. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xlii) Upset and fidgety, she orchestrates a private moment between Lavretsky and Lisa, then extracts a promise of honesty from Lavretsky. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xlv) Marfa Timofyevna discovers Lisa's distress and vehemently opposes her plan to become a nun, eventually agreeing to a six-month delay. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/epilogue) Died not long after her niece Lisa; buried beside Marya Dmitrievna. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/marfa_timofyevna_pestov - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters