# Kniaz — Futility character guide

> Kniaz in Futility by William Gerhardie.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the old Kniaz, Kniaz great

**First appearance:** 0005-i

## Snapshot

An old aristocrat who borrows from Nikolai against future dividends, sustaining the goldmine faith that keeps them both afloat in borrowed hope.

## Who they are

Kniaz lives on Nikolai Vasilievich's belief in the mines, treating each loan as an advance on dividends that never come. He helps sustain Nikolai's faith in return for Nikolai's faith in the shares, a mutual delusion that binds them. His quiet, parasitic presence—sucking sweets in corners, popping his head from behind newspapers—exposes how the whole household runs on credit and credulity.

## Relationships

### [Nikolai Vasilievich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/nikolai_vasilievich)

_rivalry_

Kniaz is a jealous rival who frequently clashes with Nikolai over romantic interests.

### [Fanny Ivanovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/fanny_ivanovna)

_social_

Fanny and Kniaz are acquaintances who move in the same social circles, with occasional flirtation.

### [Fanny Ivanovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/fanny_ivanovna)

_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)

_rivalry_

Kniaz is a jealous rival who frequently clashes with Nikolai over romantic interests.

### [Nikolai Vasilievich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/nikolai_vasilievich)

_rivalry_

Kniaz is a jealous rival who frequently clashes with Nikolai over romantic interests.

### [Fanny Ivanovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/fanny_ivanovna)

_social_

Fanny and Kniaz are acquaintances who move in the same social circles, with occasional flirtation.

## In the story

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/vi)

A silent, dependent old prince who lives on Nikolai Vasilievich, believes in worthless shares, and has heard Fanny's confession many times.

### [The Narrator's First Intervention](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/x)

On the balcony laughing; the narrator plans for him to live off Nikolai Vasilievich.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ii)

Sits silently in his usual chair, seemingly impressed by the revolution but inscrutable.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iii)

Sits in his usual chair, reading or thinking into space.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ii)

Present at the family gathering, teased about his failed hunting expedition with a misfiring gun.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/v)

Adds a Russian proverb during the train conversation, drawing Nikolai Vasilievich's irritation.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ix)

Kniaz sits quietly in his corner, reading a paper and sucking sweets, a passive observer during the family's discussions.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/xi)

Delivers a surprising and passionate tirade against Allied intervention.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/kniaz
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters