# Varvara Pavlovna Lavretsky — A House of Gentlefolk character guide > Varvara Pavlovna Lavretsky in A House of Gentlefolk by Ivan Turgenev. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Varvara Pavlovna, Pavlovna, Varvara **First appearance:** 0002-iii ## Who they are Lavretsky's beautiful, calculating wife, whose graceful humility conceals a cold intelligence and whose reappearance threatens to undo any hope of happiness. ## Relationships ### [Marya Dmitrievna Kalitin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/marya_dmitrievna_kalitin) _social_ Marya Dmitrievna is initially charmed and later dominated by the manipulative Varvara Pavlovna. ### [Fedor Ivanitch Lavretsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/fedor_ivanitch_lavretsky) _family_ Lavretsky is legally married to the unfaithful Varvara Pavlovna, whom he despises and from whom he is estranged. ### [Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/vladimir_nikolaitch_panshin) _romantic_ Varvara Pavlovna seduces Panshin, engaging in a flirtatious and manipulative affair after her return. ### [Lisa Mihalovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/lisa_mihalovna) _rivalry_ Lisa sees Varvara Pavlovna as an obstacle to her love for Lavretsky and is deeply wounded by her presence. ### [Marya Dmitrievna Kalitin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/marya_dmitrievna_kalitin) _social_ Marya Dmitrievna is initially charmed and later dominated by the manipulative Varvara Pavlovna. ### [Fedor Ivanitch Lavretsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/fedor_ivanitch_lavretsky) _family_ Lavretsky is legally married to the unfaithful Varvara Pavlovna, whom he despises and from whom he is estranged. ### [Marya Dmitrievna Kalitin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/marya_dmitrievna_kalitin) _social_ Marya Dmitrievna is initially charmed and later dominated by the manipulative Varvara Pavlovna. ### [Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/vladimir_nikolaitch_panshin) _romantic_ Varvara Pavlovna seduces Panshin, engaging in a flirtatious and manipulative affair after her return. ### [Lisa Mihalovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/lisa_mihalovna) _rivalry_ Lisa sees Varvara Pavlovna as an obstacle to her love for Lavretsky and is deeply wounded by her presence. ### [Fedor Ivanitch Lavretsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/fedor_ivanitch_lavretsky) _family_ Lavretsky is legally married to the unfaithful Varvara Pavlovna, whom he despises and from whom he is estranged. ### [Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/vladimir_nikolaitch_panshin) _romantic_ Varvara Pavlovna seduces Panshin, engaging in a flirtatious and manipulative affair after her return. ### [Lisa Mihalovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/lisa_mihalovna) _rivalry_ Lisa sees Varvara Pavlovna as an obstacle to her love for Lavretsky and is deeply wounded by her presence. ## In the story ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xii) First seen at the theatre; described as a beautiful, intelligent young woman who captivates Lavretsky. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xiii) Introduced as the daughter of General Korobyin, aged seventeen when leaving boarding school, noted as clever, pretty, and the best musician. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xiv) Hosts Lavretsky, displays her charm and musical skill, and accepts his proposal. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xv) Arranges the marriage, manages the household, drives out Glafira, and becomes a social success in Petersburg and Paris. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xvi) Her infidelity is revealed through a note from Ernest; she writes a letter to Lavretsky but is ultimately abandoned. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xviii) Recalled by Lavretsky with a shudder of internal pain. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxxvi) Returns unexpectedly to Lavretsky's house, pleading for forgiveness and bringing their daughter Ada. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxxvii) Returns to Lavretsky's house, feigns humility, agrees to go to Lavriky, then visits the Kalitins. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxxix) Arrives at the Kalitin house, skillfully ingratiates herself with Marya Dmitrievna, plays the piano, and mentions her upcoming departure to Lavriky. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xl) Dominates the drawing-room with her singing, piano playing, and flirtatious conversation, displaying her worldly Parisian sophistication and manipulative charm. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xlii) Mentioned as having gone to the Kalitins with her daughter, singing duets with Panshin, causing Lavretsky's fury. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xliii) She appears penitent, asks for forgiveness for the sake of her daughter Ada, and accepts Lavretsky's conditional reconciliation. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xliv) Travels to Lavriky with Lavretsky, Ada, and Justine; she is in good spirits and later entertains Panshin. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xlv) Varvara Pavlovna moves to Petersburg with funds and takes a charming apartment, having enslaved Panshin's affections. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/epilogue) Lives in Paris, has grown older and stouter but remains charming; her daughter Ada is now a pale, nervous girl. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/varvara_pavlovna_lavretsky - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters