Russian Folktales · Character

The Old Woman

An old woman who gives advice or magical gifts.

minor

Also known as Babushka

First appearance: Bába Yagá and Zamorýshek

The Old Woman shows up with force in Danílo the Unfortunate. The page is where that presence becomes real.

An old woman (Babushka) who first advises Danílo and later helps Alyósha.

In the storyDanílo the UnfortunateOpen this moment free

The Old Woman first appears in 0017 b ba yag and zamor shek.

In Danílo the Unfortunate: An old woman (Babushka) who first advises Danílo and later helps Alyósha.

Later, in The Language of the Birds: The merchant's wife and Vasíli's mother, who initially rejects him but later serves him as prophesied.

See The Old Woman in Danílo the Unfortunate Book page

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Character Web

37 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Divine and mortal figures
Protagonist
Magical and domestic antagonists

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Narrative arc

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

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…

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In the story

The Old Woman appears across 20 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Danílo the Unfortunate
An old woman (Babushka) who first advises Danílo and later helps Alyósha.
The Language of the Birds
The merchant's wife and Vasíli's mother, who initially rejects him but later serves him as prophesied.
Bába Yagá and Zamorýshek
The mother who longs for children and helps raise the egg-born sons.
Mark the Rich
A kind old woman who shelters the beggar and later reports the dream prophecy to Mark.
The Soldier and Death
An ancient woman who pleads with the soldier to release Death so she can die.
The Midnight Dance
Mysterious old woman (Babushka) who gives the poor nobleman the cap of invisibility and advice.
Vasilísa the Fair
A kind woman who takes Vasilísa in after her stepmother's death and helps her sell the linen to the Tsar.
The Poor Widow
A poor widow who generously hosts Christ and the Apostles despite her extreme poverty.
The Smith and the Devil
A rich old lady who is tricked by the devil into being burned and then rejuvenated, becoming young and beautiful.
Vasilísa Popóvna
The Tsar's evil-tempered housekeeper who devises the tests to uncover Vasilísa's true nature.
The Soldier and the Tsar in the Forest
The old woman (babushka) who lives in the forest hut and acts as a receiver for the robbers. She is confronted by the soldier.
The Brother of Christ
The boy's evil-minded mother who is merciless to the poor, refuses to break fast with the beggar, and ends up in Hell.
The Witch and the Sister of the Sun
One of two old seamstresses who give Iván a magic handkerchief after being rejuvenated by apples.
The Story of Tsar Angéy and How He Suffered for Pride
A widow who gives Tsar Angéy shelter and informs him that the current tsar has reigned for thirty-five years.
The Wood Sprite
The pope's wife, who joyfully reunites with her lost daughter.
Sorrow
The poor peasant's wife, who suffers alongside him and is present during the name-day visit.
Iváshko and the Wise Woman
Iváshechko's mother, who feeds him and calls him from the shore; overjoyed when he returns.
The Devil in the Dough-Pan
The woman who kneads the dough and inadvertently traps the demon.
The Sun, the Moon, and Crow Crowson
Wife of the old man; attempts to follow her husband's instructions but fails to produce magical results.
A Cure for Story-Telling
The wife who is passionately fond of stories and is eventually beaten and cured of her habit.

Chapter companion notes

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See The Old Woman in Bába Yagá and Zamorýshek

See The Old Woman in Danílo the Unfortunate