# Voldemar Simonson — Resurrection character guide

> Voldemar Simonson in Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Simonson

**First appearance:** 0107-i

## Snapshot

A political exile of severe convictions who falls quietly, absolutely in love with Maslova, offering her a future no one else imagines for her.

## Who they are

Simonson belongs to the world of prisoners who have traded comfort for principle, a man whose ascetic certainty sets him apart even among exiles. His devotion to Maslova is neither pity nor passion in the ordinary sense but a steady, undemanding commitment that asks nothing back. His presence forces Nekhludoff—and the reader—to ask whether atonement means possessing the person you wronged, or setting her free.

## In the story

### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/chapters/book-iii)

A fellow political exile who becomes a significant figure in the prisoner group.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/chapters/i)

Political prisoner, vegetarian, writes philosophical thoughts in a notebook; marches because he won't use class privilege.

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

Confronts the officer, telling him he has behaved badly, displaying his moral courage.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/chapters/iv)

Símonson is a man guided by his own reason, a socialist propagandist who was exiled; he loves Máslova platonically and sees himself as a phagocyte.

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

Seen heating a stove according to his own theory; he greets Nekhlúdoff and indicates he wants to speak with him later.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/chapters/xv)

Contrasted with Novódvoroff; his actions follow reason, unlike Novódvoroff's feeling-driven logic.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/chapters/xvi)

Declares his intention to marry Katerina Maslova, speaking with simplicity and truthfulness.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/chapters/xvii)

Proposes marriage to Maslova, as reported by Mary Pavlovna and discussed with Nekhludoff.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/chapters/xix)

Mentioned in passing as part of Nekhlúdoff's thoughts about his conversation with Símonson and Katúsha.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/chapters/xx)

Walking with Katúsha and Véra Doúkhova, engaged in a heated discussion; raises his hat solemnly to Nekhlúdoff.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/chapters/xxi)

Mentioned as the man who has gained Katúsha's love.

### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/chapters/xxiii)

Nekhlúdoff reflects on Máslova's possible relationship with him.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/chapters/xxiv)

Nekhlúdoff wonders about Simonson's relation to Máslova.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/chapters/xxv)

Mentioned by Máslova as the man she will follow.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/characters/simonson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/resurrection_se/characters