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Russian Folktales · Character

The Devil

A devil who tempts or is outwitted by humans in moral tales.

minor

Also known as Devil

First appearance: The Smith and the Devil

The Devil's tie to The Soldier is one of the pressures that moves Russian Folktales—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Invites Petrúsha as a guest and offers rewards; appears as a fine youth.
In the storyThe Sorry DrunkardOpen this moment free

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With The Soldier (rivalry): The Devil and the Soldier are locked in a cunning battle of wits, with the Soldier often outsmarting him. With The Soldier (rivalry): The Devil and the Soldier are locked in a cunning battle…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of The Devil sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See The Devil in The Smith and the Devil

Character Web

29 connections

A slice of how The Devil sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

TSThe SoldierTBThe BoyTTThe TsarTOThe Old ManTSThe SmithTDThe Devil

Relationship types

  • Rivalry
  • Other

Character groups

  • Divine and mortal figures

+24 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because the Wise Woman’s imitation of the parents’ call introduces the fir…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See The Devil in The Smith and the Devil

In the story

The Devil appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for The Devil unlock in the free preview.

See The Devil in The Smith and the Devil