# Alexander Pushkin — Eugene Onegin character guide > Alexander Pushkin in Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Pushkin, Vassili Pushkin, Alexander Sergévitch Pushkin **First appearance:** 0001-a-short-biographical-notice-of-alexander-pushkin ## Snapshot The poem's narrator and author, a Petersburg wit who claims Onegin as a friend and addresses the reader with confidences, jokes, and elegiac asides. ## Who they are Pushkin writes himself into the novel as a voice—urbane, self-mocking, capable of lyric tenderness one stanza and gossipy digression the next. He presents Onegin as a companion of his own dissipated Petersburg years, lending the character a biographical intimacy that no third-person narrator could. That double presence, of poet and dandy, gives the whole work its distinctive tone: ironic, warm, and always aware that youth and its follies are passing. ## Relationships ### [Princess Alina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/characters/princess_alina) _social_ Pushkin, as the author-narrator, mentions Princess Alina as a minor character in his story. ## In the story ### [A Short Biographical Notice of Alexander Pushkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/a-short-biographical-notice-of-alexander-pushkin) Subject of the biography; details his life, works, and death in a duel. ### [Canto the First: "The Spleen"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/canto-the-first-the-spleen) The narrator and friend of Onegin, who describes their friendship and shared disillusionment. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/ii) The narrator references himself and his work 'Friends of Liudmila and Ruslan', establishing his authorial presence. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/iii) The narrator, Pushkin, recounts Onegin's early life with a tone of ironic detachment. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xiii) The narrator describes Onegin's evening. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xv) The poet-narrator reminisces about the theatrical world of his youth. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xvi) The narrator, speaking as Pushkin, reflects on his own disenchantment with the theater and the passage of time. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xvii) Pushkin narrates the scene, offering a vivid depiction of the theater and the dancer's performance. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxi) Narrator who interjects with a commentary on Rousseau and Grimm. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxiii) The narrator who self-consciously discusses his poetic choices and use of foreign words. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxvi) The narrator speaks in first person, recalling his own youthful indiscretions at balls. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxvii) The narrator (Pushkin) speaks in first person, reminiscing about his love of dancing and a memorable pair of feet. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxviii) The narrator speaks in first person, reflecting on personal memories and emotions, characteristic of Pushkin's authorial voice. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxx) The narrator expresses personal reflection and poetic longing. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxxi) The poet speaks in first person, recalling a moment of passion and warning against the deceptiveness of charming women. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxxvii) Narrator who comments on the set of writers, acknowledging his own membership in that group. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxxix) The narrator, who describes his own renunciation of vanity and his friendship with a kindred spirit. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xl) The narrator (Pushkin) recounts his initial aversion to Onegin's manner of speaking, which he later grew accustomed to. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xli) The narrator reflects on memories of youth and love, a personal meditation. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xliii) The poet speaks in first person, expressing his personal desire to visit Italy and experience its romantic and artistic heritage. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xliv) The narrator speaks in first person, expressing personal longing for freedom and reminiscing about Africa. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xlv) The narrator mentions his own plan to travel with Onegin. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xlix) The narrator (likely Pushkin) speaks in first person, expressing his personal preference for rural solitude and idleness. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/l) The narrator speaks in the first person, implicitly as Pushkin, defending his creative independence. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/li) The narrator (Pushkin) speaks in first person about his poetic process and the inspiration behind his verses. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/lii) The poet-narrator reflects on his own experience of love and poetic creation. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/liii) The poet-narrator who writes of his renewed inspiration and the solace found in poetry. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/liv) The author speaks directly, discussing the planning and execution of his romance, and his decision to submit it to the censorship. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxiv) The narrator speaks in first person, defending the choice of the name Tattiana and critiquing contemporary lack of taste. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxix) The narrator mentions Tattiana's father and mother in relation to her reading habits. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxxix) The narrator speaks in first person, expressing personal reflections on life and art. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xl) The poet speaks in first person, contemplating his own legacy and the fate of his verses. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xi) The narrator and author, reflecting on literary conventions and his own creative choices. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xii) The narrator (Pushkin) comments on the literary trends of the time. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xiii) The narrator reflects on his own artistic future and possible change of literary direction. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xiv) The narrator reflects on his own poetic past and current rustiness. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxii) The narrator reflects on his own experiences with cold beauties. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxix) The narrator speaks in first person, addressing poets and reflecting on the linguistic habits of society ladies. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxx) The narrator (Pushkin) voices his personal views on language and society. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxxi) The narrator speaks in the first person, reflecting on his own tastes and poetic intentions, characteristic of Pushkin's authorial voice. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxxii) The narrator, who invokes a bard and describes his own indolent wandering. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xiv) The narrator speaks in the first person, addressing the reader as 'my reader noble,' a characteristic authorial intrusion. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xviii) The narrator expresses his love for his heroine and his intent to enliven the story with love. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxiii) The narrator speaks in first person, expressing personal views on album verses. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxiv) The narrator (Pushkin) speaks in first person, expressing his vexation with society albums and the demand for madrigals. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxvii) The narrator and poet, who recites his verses to his nurse and neighbor. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxxvi) The narrator speaks in first person, expressing personal preference for Bordeaux over Champagne. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/iii) The narrator (Pushkin) speaks in first person, comparing his own poetic style to that of other bards. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xl) The narrator reflects on his own poetic digressions and resolves to stay focused. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxxvi) The narrator imagines a hypothetical, ordinary life for the bard, possibly a self-referential reflection. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xl) The narrator speaks in first person, reflecting on his own poetic evolution and waning enthusiasm for rhyme. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xli) The narrator reflects on his own aging and lost youth, marking a personal milestone. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xlii) The narrator speaks in first person, reflecting on his own youth and the transition to a new stage of life. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xliii) The poet speaks in first person, reflecting on his own creative spirit and the threat of worldly corruption. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xliv) The narrator addresses the reader directly, including himself in the critique of society. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/ii) The narrator (presumably Pushkin) expresses personal melancholy and emotional detachment at the arrival of spring. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxxi) The narrator speaks in first person, expressing a vision of Russia's future progress. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxxv) The narrator reflects on Napoleon's failed conquest of Moscow. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxxvi) The narrator reflects on the journey into Moscow, describing the urban landscape. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xlix) The poet speaks in first person, reflecting on the beauty of Moscow's women and his own poetic restraint. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/lii) The poet-narrator reflects on his own creative process and homage to classicism ### [Canto the Eighth: The Great World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/canto-the-eighth-the-great-world) Narrates the chapter, reflecting on his own poetic journey and the Muse's role. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/i) The poet-narrator recalls his own youth and the first visit of the Muse. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/ii) The narrator reflects on his own early poetic career and the encouragement he received. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/iii) The poet-narrator reflects on his past wild pursuits and his Muse. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/iv) The narrator (Pushkin) speaks in first person about his relationship with the Muse. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/v) The narrator describes the Muse's journey and her appearance in his garden. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/vi) The poet narrates in first person, expressing jealous fear and anxiety as he presents his Muse to high society. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/x) The narrator's voice reflects Pushkin's own philosophical musings on aging and societal expectations. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xiv) The narrator who comments on the difficulty of translating 'comme il faut' and references Shishkòff. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xvi) The narrator interjects with a meta-commentary on language and translation. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxv) The narrator, observing and satirizing the social scene. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xlviii) The author directly addresses the reader in a personal farewell, speaking as the poet and narrator. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xlix) The poet speaks in first person, reflecting on his creative process and the passage of time. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/l) The poet-speaker who addresses the reader and abruptly ends the tale. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/endnotes) Extensively discussed: his African ancestry, literary influences (Byron, Shakespeare), his uncle Vassili Pushkin, and his membership in the Arzamass school. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/characters/alexander_pushkin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/characters