# Gavrilo — Short Fiction character guide

> Gavrilo in Short Fiction by Vladimir Korolenko.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Gavrilo Stepanich

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

## Snapshot

A workman at the mill — 'a little stupid,' by the miller's own reckoning — whose drunken rages and broken shovel make him both pawn and problem in Makar's schemes.

## Who they are

Gavrilo Stepanich is the mill's hired hand, a man whose drunkenness drags his wife Yelena through the streets after him and whose fury drives him to kick at Budnikov's door in the middle of the night. When Budnikov confronts him with the broken shovel, the unwatered horse, and the bell he failed to ring, Gavrilo is crushed into sober obedience and trudges off to the stable. His weakness and volatility make him the perfect instrument for Makar's plan to marry Galya to a workman — and the perfect illustration of how the poor are used by those above them.

## Relationships

### [Yelena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/yelena)

_family_

Gavrilo and Yelena are likely siblings or close relatives given their frequent and presumably familial interactions.

### [Budnikov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/budnikov)

_friendship_

Budnikov and Gavrilo are close friends or allies, possibly connected through Yelena.

### [Vanichka Rogov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/vanichka_rogov)

_friendship_

Gavrilo and Vanichka Rogov are friends or comrades, likely from the same village or social circle.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/iii)

Evelyn's neighbor on the bench, who comments on her age and seriousness; he is part of the group of young people in the garden.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/xx)

The narrator, referred to as Gavrik, is in a cynical and detached state, rejecting Titus's friendship and analyzing others coldly.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/iii)

The miller calls for his workman Gavrilo, but he is absent, having gone to the village after girls.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/v)

The mill worker who returns with a black eye and discusses the missing Jew with the miller.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/vii)

The workman at the mill whom Kharko suggests Galya should marry.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/viii)

Gavrilo is mentioned by the miller as the workman at the mill whom Galya could marry, though the miller admits Gavrilo is 'a little stupid.'

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/xi)

The workman at the mill who, though drunk, remembers the miller opening the door with a face whiter than flour.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/ii)

Budnikov's porter, a hardworking man who takes on extra tasks and uses Budnikov's horse for errands.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/iii)

Briefly mentioned as the servant sent downtown by Budnikov.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/iv)

Gavrilo Stepanich, the porter, falls in love with Yelena, suffers from unrequited feelings, and eventually proposes to her, finding happiness.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/v)

Gavrilo and his wife live in the other wing, where the flower bed blooms in contrast to Budnikov's neglected side.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/vii)

A hardworking man whose character changes sharply after Rogov reveals a secret about Yelena's past; he begins drinking and carousing.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/viii)

Sympathized with by lower classes; considered worthless by Budnikov. He is absent during the events, and his wife Yelena is unhappy.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/ix)

Confesses to the murder of Budnikov.

### [On the Volga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/on-the-volga)

Mentioned in the context of the Volga scenes.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/gavrilo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters