Character guide

Prascovia Lopouloff

major

Also known as Prascovia, poor Prascovia, Young Prascovia, St. Prascovia

A fervent soul who quotes Ossian at strangers and mourns lost breezes, she turns everyday solitude into a theater of imagination and self-esteem.

Ivan Smirnoff

major

Also known as Ivan, honest Ivan, Ivan 19

A plainspoken neighbor who crosses himself and mutters 'mad, by Bacchus' when confronted with poetic rapture he never asked to witness.

Major Kascambo

supporting

Also known as Kascambo, the Major

A military man whose presence in the narrative carries the weight of rank and the quiet authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed.

Rosalie

supporting

Also known as Rose, The amiable Rosalie

Called Rose, she is the beloved companion whose old age and departure mark the tender, irrecoverable losses that shadow the narrator's wandering life.

Joanetti

supporting

Also known as poor Joanetti, XVI Joannetti, Monsieur Joannetti

After fifteen years of faithful service, he leaves with downcast eyes and a carter's wagon, turning a shared lifetime into a stranger's goodbye.

Madame de Hautcastel

minor

Also known as Madame Hautcastel

A noblewoman appearing in the story.

Milin

minor

Also known as Mrs. Milin, Probably Mrs. Milin

A female character, possibly a housekeeper or neighbor.

Ibrahim

minor

Also known as Old Ibrahim

An older male character, possibly a servant or elder.

Mrs. L.

minor

A character referred to by initial, possibly a lady of status.

Lea

minor

A named female character with limited appearances.

Doctor Cigna

minor

A physician character in the story.

Jenny

minor

Also known as dear Jenny

A female character addressed affectionately.

Raphael

minor

A named male character, possibly an artist or friend.

The Leper

minor

Also known as Leper, The Leper Alas, The Leper Solitude

A tragic figure, possibly from a separate story within the book.

Pericles

minor

A historical figure referenced as a character.

Aspasia

minor

A historical figure referenced in the narrative.

Mr. Violier

minor

A male character, possibly a merchant or local.

Plato

minor

The ancient philosopher, referenced as a character.

Mamet

minor

Also known as poor little Mamet, young Mamet, little Mamet

A young character, possibly a child or pet.

Hagar

minor

A biblical figure referenced in the narrative.

James

minor

Also known as Jem

A male character, possibly a servant or friend.

Marie

minor

Also known as Marie of Braganza

A female character, possibly a royal figure.

Sophie

minor

Also known as Dear Sophie

A female character addressed affectionately.

Mrs. Violier

minor

A female character, wife of Mr. Violier.

Orestes

minor

A figure from Greek mythology mentioned in the story.

Neyler

minor

A named character with a brief role.

Captain John Dundas Cochrane

minor

A historical explorer mentioned in the story.