Pavel Yakovlitch Shubin

I

An artist lying on his chest, discussing art, beauty, and his frustration with sculpting Elena's bust; mentions Nikolai Stahov's affair.

II

Walks with Bersenyev, expresses desire to go to Italy, flirts with Zoya, and complains about his artistic stagnation.

III

A distant cousin of Anna, a talented but erratic sculptor who left medical school to pursue art; he lives in a room in the Stahovs' lodge.

IV

Displays jealousy and artistic temperament, mocking Bersenyev's seriousness and modeling clay in a fit of pique after a quarrel with Elena.

V

Confesses his love for Elena and his belief that she loves Bersenyev; runs after Annushka.

VIII

Enters looking tired with an ironical smile; teases Nikolai about his German woman, offers a sarcastic apology, and later mocks Uvar Ivanovitch as a 'cornerstone of the social fabric'.

IX

Receives a note from Nikolai Artemyevitch, seeks out Elena in the garden, apologizes, and expresses his feelings of being misunderstood as an artist.

XI

Visits Insarov with exaggerated cheerfulness, plays the fool during their walk, and covertly examines Insarov. His inner excitement is apparent to Bersenyev.

XII

Shubin mocks Insarov's arrival, feels crestfallen by Elena's reproach, and later visits Bersenyev in despair, expressing jealousy and anger.

XIII

Scarcely appears; works feverishly on his art, either in his room or in his Moscow studio.

XV

Shubin flirts with Zoya, teases her with a cigar-case, and later feels sad during the return journey; he calls Insarov a hero.

XVI

Shubin teases Elena and is jealous of Insarov; Elena finds him spiteful and compares him to a butterfly.

XVII

Visits the Stahovs and offers Elena a sorrowful, sympathetic look, refraining from his usual ridicule.

XIX

Observes Elena attentively and makes a half-true insinuation about her being in love, showing his penetrating insight.

Chapter XX

Shubin reveals his recent sculptures to Bersenyev, including a bust and a satirical statuette of Insarov, and a self-caricature with Annushka, discussing his artistic motives and self-criticism.

XXII

Observes Nikolai's behavior from his lodge; later comments to Elena on Kurnatovsky's lack of inner substance compared to Insarov.

XXIII

Returns to Moscow with Anna Vassilyevna.

XXIV

Treats Insarov coldly and argues with Kurnatovsky on a legislative matter.

XXVI

Makes inquiries about Insarov's condition.

XXVIII

Mentioned by Elena in her account of recent events.

XXIX

Sits smoking, mocks Nikolai's attachment and Kurnatovsky; advises beating Augustina Christianovna; reminds Nikolai of Anna Vassilyevna's birthday.

Chapter XXXIII

Observes the family drama, discusses Elena's situation with Uvar Ivanovitch, and reflects on the lack of worthy men in Russia.

XXXI

Had spoken truly about the impact of the news; plots with maids and Zoya to intervene during the parents' quarrel.

XXXII

Shubin attempts to lighten the mood with words and a song, but feels the weight of the moment and the death of their shared past.

Chapter XXXV

Mentioned in the epilogue; he is in Rome, a successful sculptor, and writes to Uvar Ivanovitch.