Anna Karenina · Character

Prince Yashvin

A fellow officer and gambler, Vronsky's closest friend in the regiment.

minor

Also known as Yashvin

First appearance: part i xxxi

Prince Yashvin shows up with force in V. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Implied to be the 'colonel' Vronsky meets at the French theater; discusses the incident and laughs at Vronsky's account of the mediation.

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In V: Implied to be the 'colonel' Vronsky meets at the French theater; discusses the incident and laughs at Vronsky's account of the mediation. Later, in XIX: Vronsky's closest friend in the regiment, a gambler with…

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See Prince Yashvin in part i xxxi

Character Web

13 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Vronsky's Military Companions
Levin's Social & Family Circle
Wider Society & Minor Characters

+8 more in the full Character Web

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Levin reaches an emotional and intellectual crisis where his abstract, fearful understanding of death is shatt…

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Prince Yashvin appears across 16 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

V
Implied to be the 'colonel' Vronsky meets at the French theater; discusses the incident and laughs at Vronsky's account of the mediation.
XIX
Vronsky's closest friend in the regiment, a gambler with immoral principles. He respects Vronsky's passion for Anna and discusses race bets with him.
Vronsky's Morning at the Camp
Acts as a boisterous caretaker, forcing a 'pick-me-up' on the hungover Petritsky and inquiring about a horse he sold.
The Race
A friend and fellow officer; cheers for Vronsky during the race and later retrieves his cap and leads him home after the disaster.
Vronsky's Day of Reckoning
Mentioned in the context of a gambling debt for which Vronsky feels morally responsible, highlighting Vronsky's social circle.
Chapter XXI
Present at the fête, interacting with Vronsky and the colonel.
The Meeting at Vrede's Garden
His hired carriage is used by Vronsky to travel discreetly to the meeting with Anna.
Chapter XXXI
Acts as an awkward, bashful visitor, highlighting the social awkwardness of Anna and Vronsky's situation. His presence becomes a point of contention for Anna.
The Defiant Performance
Present at dinner where Anna flirts aggressively. He accompanies Vronsky to smoke, serving as a silent witness to the domestic tension before Anna's declaration.
The Theater Scandal
Accompanies Vronsky initially; makes a cynical comment about Anna's status; observes the theater scene with a scowl.
VII
Mentioned by Vronsky as the tall colonel who just left their table, celebrated for his luck at cards.
VIII
Mentioned as losing heavily at cards in the 'infernal regions,' requiring Vronsky's supervision.
Chapter XII
The reason given for Vronsky's absence; he was gambling, winning then losing seventeen thousand rubles.
XXV
Arrives as an unwelcome outsider during the height of Anna and Vronsky's quarrel. His cynical views on gambling and marriage (that he avoids it to gamble freely) provide a stark, worldly contrast to their emotional turmoil, forcing Anna to maintain appearances.
Anna's Final Journey
Anna recalls his cynical philosophy that 'the struggle for existence and hatred is the one thing that holds men together,' which aligns with her current worldview.
IV
Having lost everything at cards, he is going to Serbia and persuaded Vronsky to join him, providing a new interest.

Chapter companion notes

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See Prince Yashvin in part i xxxi

See Prince Yashvin in V