# Helfreich — Short Fiction character guide

> Helfreich in Short Fiction by Vsevolod Garshin.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0003-coward

## Snapshot

A hunchbacked friend of the painter Lopatin, whose sharp eyes and blunt warnings expose the jealousies circling a fallen woman's sittings.

## Who they are

Helfreich moves through the studio world as Lopatin's confidant, the one who first knows Nadia and never quite explains why he kept her from his friend. He watches Lopatin's growing entanglement with a mixture of concern and unspoken knowledge, and his dry remark that Bezsonow never did anything for the woman cuts to the heart of the men around her. His presence turns private longing into something observed and judged.

## Relationships

### [Nadejda Nicolaievna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/characters/nadejda_nicolaievna)

_social_

Helfreich and Nadejda are social acquaintances, interacting within the same community or events.

### [Nadejda Nicolaievna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/characters/nadejda_nicolaievna)

_social_

Helfreich and Nadejda are social acquaintances, interacting within the same community or events.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/chapters/iv)

Visits the narrator, discusses his cat paintings and artistic frustration, then accompanies him to a night establishment.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned as having informed the narrator about Bezsonow's intentions; returns home at the end of the chapter.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/chapters/vi)

Asleep on the couch during the confrontation; the narrator notes his pale, kind-looking face.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/chapters/viii)

Simon Ivanovich Helfreich, a humpbacked artist, is moving into the narrator's room. He expresses self-doubt and tenderness, urging the narrator to help Nadejda Nicolaievna.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/chapters/ix)

Andrei's friend who continues to paint cats, absent during the key conversation with Nadejda.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/chapters/x)

Arrives during the visit, dines with the group, and discusses the mysterious relationship between Bezsonow and Nadejda Nicolaievna.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/chapters/xi)

Lopatin's friend; Bezsonow converses with him about the situation and receives a cryptic remark about being 'too late.'

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/chapters/xii)

Lopatin's friend; agrees that Nadejda is likely ill and helps in the search.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/chapters/xiv)

Present during the evening, displays noisy enthusiasm and makes Nadejda laugh.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/chapters/xv)

Mentioned as someone Nadejda does not allow into her private room.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/chapters/xvi)

Runs for a doctor, helps calm Nadejda, and discusses his own artistic plans with Senichka.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/chapters/xvii)

Congratulates the narrator on his picture's success and helps Nadejda obtain a copying manuscript.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/chapters/xix)

Attends to Lopatin's medical treatment and is convinced of his recovery.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/characters/helfreich
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_56_se/characters