# Uncle Maxim — Short Fiction character guide > Uncle Maxim in Short Fiction by Vladimir Korolenko. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Maxim, VII Uncle Maxim, X Uncle Maxim, And Maxim **First appearance:** 0001-short-fiction ## Snapshot A one-legged Garibaldian firebrand who traded battlefields for his sister's quiet estate, where his quarrelsome temper and restless will reshape a blind boy's fate. ## Who they are Ten years before the story, Maxim was the scandal of the Volynian gentry — dueling, defying the Pans, and riding with Garibaldi until Austrian sabres left him a crutch, a cane, and a reputation for heresy. Now he lives in his sister's house, his old excitability banked but not extinguished, and it is he who refuses to let his blind nephew be raised as an invalid. His stubborn, combative love is the engine that drives the boy outward into the world of sound, struggle, and feeling. ## Relationships ### [Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/peter) _family_ Peter is the nephew of Uncle Maxim, with a familial bond of care and guidance. ### [Joachim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/joachim) _friendship_ Joachim and Uncle Maxim are old friends or allies, possibly from military or revolutionary past. ### [Anna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/anna) _family_ Anna is likely a relative (perhaps sister or sister-in-law) of Uncle Maxim, with a caring familial tie. ### [Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/peter) _family_ Peter is the nephew of Uncle Maxim, with a familial bond of care and guidance. ### [Joachim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/joachim) _friendship_ Joachim and Uncle Maxim are old friends or allies, possibly from military or revolutionary past. ### [Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/peter) _family_ Peter is the nephew of Uncle Maxim, with a familial bond of care and guidance. ### [Anna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/anna) _family_ Anna is likely a relative (perhaps sister or sister-in-law) of Uncle Maxim, with a caring familial tie. ## In the story ### [The Blind Infant—The Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/i-the-blind-infant-the-family) The mother's brother, a former Garibaldian fighter who lost a foot and uses crutches; he lives with the family and observes the boy's development. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/v) Carefully scans the boy's face but cannot explain his strange alarm. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/vii) Deeply disturbed by the occurrence, he studies physiological and educational works, devoting himself to understanding the child's soul and developing his latent capabilities. ### [II: The Sources of Musical Feeling—The Blind Boy and the Melody](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/ii-the-sources-of-musical-feeling-the-blind-boy-and-the-melody) Observes the boy's musical passion with mixed feelings, hoping for more than mere fashionable music and reflecting on the power of folk songs. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/iii) Sitting in the garden during the calm summer evening. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/vii) Observes Pètrik's reaction and raps his crutch on the floor in recognition of the boy's emotional state. ### [III: The First Friendship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/iii-the-first-friendship) Maxim's system of education emphasizes physical and moral development, including horseback riding and music. He recognizes Petrùsya's need for peer interaction and invites village boys, but they are intimidated. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/v) Tries to exclude outward impressions from his nephew but cannot control the boy's inner cravings. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned by Evelyn as the possible contriver of a plan that upset her, though she later defends him. ### [VI: The Crisis—An Attempt at Synthesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/vi-the-crisis-an-attempt-at-synthesis) Peter's uncle, who attempts to explain the analogy between sound and color to help Peter understand the world. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned by Peter as someone he wishes he could see. ### [VII: Intuition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/vii-intuition) Present at the birth; his crutch tapping is perceived by Peter during his vision. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/ii) The tutor who devoted his life to Peter; Peter senses his 'keen glance' and 'energetic voice' in the vision. ### [The Last Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/the-last-ray) Mentioned in the narrator's thoughts, representing wisdom and the weight of past experiences. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/uncle_maxim - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters