# Basavriuk — Short Fiction character guide

> Basavriuk in Short Fiction by Nikolai Gogol.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0002-st-john-s-eve

## Snapshot

A wandering stranger whose name is spoken with a shudder, he trades in gold and damnation and knows exactly what a poor man will pay for love.

## Who they are

Villagers count anyone acquainted with Basavriuk as an enemy of Christ, not a member of the human race. He appears at the edges of the story, offering treasure to a desperate labourer in exchange for something far dearer than coin. His quiet, knowing presence turns a village romance into a moral trap, and his bargain drives the tale toward its dark bargain.

## Relationships

### [Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/characters/peter)

_psychological_

Basavriuk is a demonic figure who manipulates and ultimately destroys the innocent Peter through a pact.

### [Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/characters/peter)

_psychological_

Basavriuk is a demonic figure who manipulates and ultimately destroys the innocent Peter through a pact.

## In the story

### [St. John's Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/st-john-s-eve)

A demonic figure with a terrifying appearance who tempts Peter with gold and orchestrates the pact on St. John's Eve.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/characters/basavriuk
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/characters