# Fanny Ivanovna — Futility character guide > Fanny Ivanovna in Futility by William Gerhardie. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Fanny, Ivanovna, little Fanny **First appearance:** 0003-futility ## Snapshot Nikolai's German companion of eleven years, knitting jumpers and nursing headaches while she watches him slip toward a seventeen-year-old girl and the goldmines that will never pay. ## Who they are Fanny Ivanovna runs Nikolai's household and his finances with weary competence, yet she has no legal claim on either. She pours out her grief to Andrei Andreiech in a torrent of hurt and clear-eyed arithmetic, exposing the mines as worthless and the family as a swarm of dependents. Her fading hold on Nikolai—and her tenderness toward Nina—make her the emotional barometer of the Bursanovs' muddled life. ## Relationships ### [Nikolai Vasilievich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/nikolai_vasilievich) _romantic_ Fanny is deeply infatuated with Nikolai, pursuing him with obsessive romantic interest. ### [Sonia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/sonia) _rivalry_ Fanny and Sonia are hostile rivals, each trying to undermine the other in Nikolai's eyes. ### [Vera](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/vera) _friendship_ Fanny and Vera are close friends who confide in each other about their romantic troubles. ### [Kniaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/kniaz) _social_ Fanny and Kniaz are acquaintances who move in the same social circles, with occasional flirtation. ### [Nikolai Vasilievich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/nikolai_vasilievich) _romantic_ Fanny is deeply infatuated with Nikolai, pursuing him with obsessive romantic interest. ### [Nikolai Vasilievich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/nikolai_vasilievich) _romantic_ Fanny is deeply infatuated with Nikolai, pursuing him with obsessive romantic interest. ### [Sonia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/sonia) _rivalry_ Fanny and Sonia are hostile rivals, each trying to undermine the other in Nikolai's eyes. ### [Sonia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/sonia) _rivalry_ Fanny and Sonia are hostile rivals, each trying to undermine the other in Nikolai's eyes. ### [Kniaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/kniaz) _social_ Fanny and Kniaz are acquaintances who move in the same social circles, with occasional flirtation. ### [Vera](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/vera) _friendship_ Fanny and Vera are close friends who confide in each other about their romantic troubles. ### [Vera](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/vera) _friendship_ Fanny and Vera are close friends who confide in each other about their romantic troubles. ### [Kniaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/kniaz) _social_ Fanny and Kniaz are acquaintances who move in the same social circles, with occasional flirtation. ## In the story ### [Futility](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/futility) A confidante who reveals financial truths and family secrets. ### [Part I: The Three Sisters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/part-i-the-three-sisters) The third sister, whose presence anchors the family narrative. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ii) The woman presiding over the samovar, mistaken by the narrator for the mother; she has a German accent and is pestering toward Nikolai Vasilievich. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iii) Enters the room, urges everyone to wait for Nikolai Vasilievich for supper, and is the target of his mockery; she is not legally married to him. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iv) Intervenes to insist Nina must go, showing a practical resolve. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/v) Reveals her past as Nikolai's mistress, her sacrifice for his children, and her heartbreak over his plan to marry Zina. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/vi) Reveals the financial truth about Nikolai Vasilievich's goldmines and house, and admits she periodically confesses to anyone, including Kniaz. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/vii) Receives a painful letter from Germany, then confronts Eisenstein and orders him to leave her house. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/viii) Refuses to admit Magda Nikolaevna into the flat, asserting her authority as mistress despite her precarious position. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ix) Spotted at the Saburov Theatre with Sonia, Nina, Vera, Kniaz, and Baron Wunderhausen, causing discomfort. ### [The Narrator's First Intervention](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/x) On the balcony laughing; the narrator plans for her to marry Nikolai Vasilievich to secure her position. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/xi) Confides in the narrator about her plans to leave, her optimism despite her tragic position, and her conflicts with Magda Nikolaevna and Baron Wunderhausen. ### [Part II: The Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/part-ii-the-revolution) Fanny knits and confides her fears about the revolution and its impact on their lives. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ii) Reveals her marriage to Eberheim as a legal fiction to avoid internment; expresses frustration with the family's burdens. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iii) Complains about waiting to begin living and the financial strain of borrowing money. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iv) Sighs conspicuously and engages in philosophical discussion about optimism and the human soul's endurance; tries to encourage Nikolai Vasilievich. ### [Part III: Intervening in Siberia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/part-iii-intervening-in-siberia) Present in the background, knitting and confiding her fears about the political situation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/i) Travels with Nikolai Vasilievich's party; part of the family dependent on him. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ii) Arranges the family's attendance at the dance, translates Mr. Thomson's letter, and expresses concern over Nikolai Vasilievich's relationship with Zina. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iii) Dances heavily with the narrator, expresses fear for her children, and praises Sir Hugo's politeness while noting his nervousness. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iv) Overheard telling her autobiography to Sir Hugo, revealing intimate details about her relationship with Nikolai Vasilievich. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/v) Greets Nikolai Vasilievich after his failed interview; her sigh provokes his anger. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/vi) Her relations with the Zina-Uncle Kostia wing and Magda Nikolaevna are strained; she is rumored to be bien vue at the Admiral's 'Court.' ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/vii) Knitting a jumper for her godchild, confiding her fears about Nikolai Vasilievich slipping away, and expressing her disapproval of the sisters' actions. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/viii) Sits silent, reflecting on her insecure position and denied respectability; later revealed to be a widow and laughs mirthfully. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ix) Fanny Ivanovna consoles Sonia about the Baron's departure and deceit, and manages the household with care, including arranging tea. ### [The Spring Dinner and the Waiting Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/x) Part of the family visiting Nikolai Vasilievich in prison, mentioned among those who call on him. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/xi) Anxious hostess, tries to calm Kniaz, later shares stories about him. ### [Part IV: Nina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/part-iv-nina) Mentioned in the context of the household and her interactions with Nina. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as having gone out shopping with Kniaz. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iv) Little Fanny is present, clinging to Madame Olenin's skirt and avoiding the veteran's frown. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/v) Implied as one of the three sisters, though not directly named in this excerpt. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/vi) Has a mysterious, reassured look; discusses partnership with Magda Nikolaevna and her mixed feelings about leaving Nikolai Vasilievich; laments the departure of the sisters. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/fanny_ivanovna - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters