# Ivan Ivanovitch — Short Fiction character guide

> Ivan Ivanovitch in Short Fiction by Nikolai Gogol.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Ivan Ivanovitch Jeroshkin, Ivan

**First appearance:** 0029-i-ivan-ivanovitch-and-ivan-nikiforovitch

## Snapshot

A tall, thin, exquisitely polite landowner of Mirgorod whose refined manners conceal a temper that flares when a fly lands in his beet-soup.

## Who they are

Ivan Ivanovitch is the neighbor everyone in Mirgorod calls a very fine fellow: curious, courteous, and given to snuff-box rituals and evening rambles after quail. His friendship with the bulky, taciturn Ivan Nikiforovitch rests on a delicate balance of opposites, and his thin skin and quick displeasure make him easy to wound. When a small offense lands between the two men, his wounded dignity becomes the engine of the whole quarrel.

## Relationships

### [The Judge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/characters/the_judge)

_friendship_

Ivan Ivanovitch and the Judge are longtime friends and neighbors who share a cordial but occasionally petty relationship.

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

_friendship_

Ivan Ivanovitch and Peter are friends and fellow townsmen, sharing in local social life and conflicts.

### [The Judge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/characters/the_judge)

_friendship_

Ivan Ivanovitch and the Judge are longtime friends and neighbors who share a cordial but occasionally petty relationship.

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

_friendship_

Ivan Ivanovitch and Peter are friends and fellow townsmen, sharing in local social life and conflicts.

### [The Judge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/characters/the_judge)

_friendship_

Ivan Ivanovitch and the Judge are longtime friends and neighbors who share a cordial but occasionally petty relationship.

## In the story

### [Short Fiction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/short-fiction)

One of the feuding protagonists in 'The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich.'

### [How the Two Ivans Quarrelled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/how-the-two-ivans-quarrelled)

One of the two Ivans; his insult over a gun triggers the quarrel.

### [I: Ivan Ivanovitch and Ivan Nikiforovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/i-ivan-ivanovitch-and-ivan-nikiforovitch)

A tall, thin, talkative, and pious man who loves melons, receiving presents, and observing the poor after church. He is extremely curious and becomes angry if a fly falls into his beet-soup.

### [II: From Which May Be Seen Whence Arose the Discussion Between Ivan Ivanovitch and Ivan Nikiforovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/ii-from-which-may-be-seen-whence-arose-the-discussion-between-ivan-ivanovitch-and-ivan-nikiforovitch)

Attempts to trade for Ivan Nikiforovitch's gun, becomes enraged when called a goose, and storms out after being ordered to leave.

### [What Took Place After Ivan Ivanovitch’s Quarrel with Ivan Nikiforovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/iii-what-took-place-after-ivan-ivanovitch-s-quarrel-with-ivan-nikiforovitch)

After the quarrel, he initially considers making peace but is provoked by the new goose-shed. He secretly saws through its supports at night, then fears revenge and resolves to file a complaint.

### [What Took Place Before the District Judge of Mirgorod](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/iv-what-took-place-before-the-district-judge-of-mirgorod)

Files a formal plaint against Ivan Nikiforovitch for insult and property encroachment, insisting on legal action despite the judge's attempts at reconciliation.

### [V: In Which Are Detailed the Deliberations of Two Important Personages of Mirgorod](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/v-in-which-are-detailed-the-deliberations-of-two-important-personages-of-mirgorod)

The aggrieved owner of the sow; he argues with the chief of police about the sow's culpability and refuses reconciliation with Ivan Nikiforovitch.

### [From Which the Reader Can Easily Discover What Is Contained in It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/vi-from-which-the-reader-can-easily-discover-what-is-contained-in-it)

His sow is revealed to have stolen the petition. He angrily refuses reconciliation efforts and continues the feud.

### [VII: How a Reconciliation Was Sought to Be Effected and a Lawsuit Ensued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/vii-how-a-reconciliation-was-sought-to-be-effected-and-a-lawsuit-ensued)

The one-eyed Ivan Ivanovitch, who participates in pushing the friends together during the reconciliation attempt.

### [The Mantle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/the-mantle)

Godfather at Akaki's baptism, a registrar of the senate.

## Links

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