# Esper Constantinovich Saksaoolov — Short Fiction character guide

> Esper Constantinovich Saksaoolov in Short Fiction by Fyodor Sologub.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Saksaoolov, III Saksaoolov, IV Saksaoolov

**First appearance:** 0001-short-fiction

## Snapshot

Esper Constantinovich Saksaoolov is the kind of guest who arrives with theories, lingers past midnight, and leaves everyone in the room slightly unsure what just happened.

## Who they are

Saksaoolov drifts through Sologub's social scenes as an eccentric intellectual whose conversation is both seductive and faintly menacing. He craves an audience for his ideas, and his need to be the most interesting person present makes him alternately charming and tiresome. His presence matters because he embodies the collection's fascination with people who mistake their own elaborate self-justifications for wisdom.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_20_se/chapters/i)

The chapter focuses on Saksaoolov's state of mind as Easter nears, his irritation at being viewed as a marriage prospect, and his reflections on his solitary, methodical life.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_20_se/chapters/ii)

Protagonist of the chapter; recalls his lost love Tamar and contemplates marriage to Valeria Mikhailovna.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_20_se/chapters/iii)

Wanders the streets thinking of Tamar, follows and observes the lost boy Lesha.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_20_se/chapters/iv)

Listens to Fedota's opinions, discusses Lesha's stepmother, and dreams of Tamar.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_20_se/chapters/v)

Meets the Gorodischevs, discusses Lesha's situation, and later feels Tamar's guidance.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_20_se/chapters/vi)

Visits Lesha's home, negotiates with the stepmother, and takes Lesha into his care.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_20_se/chapters/vii)

Saksaoolov dreams of Tamar and is awakened by Lesha's Easter kiss; he receives the white egg as a gift.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_20_se/characters/esper_saksaoolov
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_20_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_20_se/characters