# Nikolai Vasilievich — Futility character guide > Nikolai Vasilievich in Futility by William Gerhardie. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Nikolai, Nikolai Vasilievich's, II Nikolai Vasilievich, Poor Nikolai Vasilievich **First appearance:** 0003-futility ## Snapshot A Siberian goldmine owner whose legendary wealth props up half a city's worth of dependents, until years of waiting for dividends curdle into a rage that shakes the chancery walls. ## Who they are Nikolai Vasilievich is the magnetic, exasperating center of a sprawling household of wives, fiancées, daughters, and hangers-on, all sustained by mines that never pay. He endures endless waiting with a patience that finally snaps in a General's office, where he becomes 'Humanity gone wild in the waiting.' His refusal to abandon hope in the mines—and in his own generosity—drives the family's slow, comic, painful unraveling. ## Relationships ### [Fanny Ivanovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/fanny_ivanovna) _romantic_ Fanny is deeply infatuated with Nikolai, pursuing him with obsessive romantic interest. ### [Zina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/zina) _romantic_ Nikolai is romantically involved with Zina, though the relationship is strained by his other entanglements. ### [Andrei Andreiech](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/andrei_andreiech) _friendship_ Andrei is a loyal friend and confidant to Nikolai, often supporting him through his troubles. ### [Sonia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/sonia) _romantic_ Nikolai shares a tender but complicated romantic bond with Sonia, marked by mutual longing. ### [Kniaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/kniaz) _rivalry_ Kniaz is a jealous rival who frequently clashes with Nikolai over romantic interests. ### [Baron Wunderhausen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/baron_wunderhausen) _friendship_ Baron Wunderhausen is a quirky but steadfast companion to Nikolai, sharing in his adventures. ### [The General](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/the_general) _professional_ Nikolai serves under The General in a military or official capacity, with a formal superior-subordinate dynamic. ### [Stanitski](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/stanitski) _friendship_ Stanitski is a reliable friend and ally to Nikolai, often aiding him in personal matters. ### [Admiral Kolchak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/admiral_kolchak) _professional_ Admiral Kolchak is a superior officer to Nikolai, maintaining a formal and authoritative relationship. ### [Fanny Ivanovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/fanny_ivanovna) _romantic_ Fanny is deeply infatuated with Nikolai, pursuing him with obsessive romantic interest. ### [Fanny Ivanovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/fanny_ivanovna) _romantic_ Fanny is deeply infatuated with Nikolai, pursuing him with obsessive romantic interest. ### [Zina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/zina) _romantic_ Nikolai is romantically involved with Zina, though the relationship is strained by his other entanglements. ## In the story ### [Futility](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/futility) The narrator, grappling with feelings of futility and meaninglessness. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/i) The narrator thinks of Nikolai Vasilievich and his unconventional family. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ii) The father of the three sisters, who appears bored and sullen, and later becomes sad and reflective during the play. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iii) Absent from the evening, but is the subject of the sisters' complaints; he constantly quarrels with Fanny Ivanovna and wants to marry again. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iv) Presents a pitiable sight at the station, pleading with Nina not to leave. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/v) Fanny's long-term partner who now intends to marry a young girl, Zina, despite his promises to Fanny. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/vi) The central figure whose supposed wealth from goldmines and a house is revealed to be a fiction; he pours money into the mines and supports many dependents. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/vii) Present at home, retreats to his study when Eisenstein arrives, drawing a line at the visit. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ix) Seen on the Nevski with Zina, appearing rejuvenated and carefree, but still burdened by family affairs and guilt. ### [The Narrator's First Intervention](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/x) Present on the balcony laughing at the narrator's retreat; later assigned to marry Fanny Ivanovna in the narrator's scheme. ### [Part II: The Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/part-ii-the-revolution) The narrator observes the revolution firsthand, describing the chaos in Petrograd and his involvement in the political events. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as still keeping Zina's father employed, indicating his continued presence and influence. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ii) Bitter about the revolution, which he sees as a further complication to his already disastrous finances and family entanglements. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iii) Always absent, giving the impression of being busy, though his activity is questionable. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iv) Broods over financial ruin and the family's situation; confronts Stanitski with sadness; expresses a sense of futility and despair about the future. ### [Part III: Intervening in Siberia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/part-iii-intervening-in-siberia) The narrator and protagonist, reflecting on the intervention and his personal experiences. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/i) Discusses the goldmine scheme and the family's chaotic journey; meets the narrator in Vladivostok. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ii) Hosts the family, plays piano reluctantly, discusses the punitive expedition and his goldmines, and expresses weariness at the dance. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iii) Engages in political debate with Uncle Kostia, dances awkwardly with Zina, and requests a coupé from Admiral Kolchak to travel to Omsk. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iv) Referenced in Fanny's monologue and as the breadwinner whose family seeks passage on the Admiral's train. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/v) Seeks redress for his goldmines; loses patience and erupts at the General, then at the guards and a stray Admiral. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/vi) His family's presence on the train is a temporary measure that becomes permanent; he is compelled to see generals about his goldmines. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as being absent and causing Fanny anxiety; he rushed in panic-stricken about the sisters during the coup. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/viii) Addressed as the parent and guardian of the group; announces Fanny Ivanovna's widowhood and sings in a timid baritone. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ix) Nikolai Vasilievich is optimistic about the new Social Revolutionary government, believing it will help his goldmine interests, and shows irritation at the narrator's lingering outside. ### [The Spring Dinner and the Waiting Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/x) Waits for political changes to recover his goldmines, builds enchanted castles on flimsy foundations, and is imprisoned by Social Revolutionary partisans. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/xi) Hosts the gathering, reminisces about Petersburg and Zina. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/xii) Unshaven, wearing blue spectacles, bowler hat, summer coat, and goloshes; he waits for what he thinks cannot be long now. ### [Part IV: Nina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/part-iv-nina) The narrator, reflecting on his feelings for Nina and the nature of their relationship. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/i) The narrator, reflecting on his post-war life at Oxford, his abandoned novel, and his obsession with Nina. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/ii) The narrator, traveling east and reflecting on his journey and dreams of Nina. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as possibly at the office or with Zina. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/v) The narrator experiences jealousy and isolation as the odd one out, attempts to impress Nina with intellectual talk, and is ultimately rejected. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/vi) Appears older and more worn; stands at the window with hands in pockets when perturbed; left alone with Fanny Ivanovna after the sisters depart. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters/nikolai_vasilievich - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/characters