Short Fiction · Character

Vladimir Ivanovich Schavinsky

A well-dressed, sharp-tongued Petersburg painter and newspaper aristocrat who lends half sovereigns to reporters and watches the world with a frowning, appraising eye.

supporting

Also known as Schavinsky, Vladimir Ivanovich

First appearance: the river of life

As a supporting figure in Short Fiction, Vladimir Ivanovich Schavinsky is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A journalist who becomes obsessed with observing and uncovering Ribnikov's true identity.

In the storyCaptain RibnikovOpen this moment free

See Vladimir Ivanovich Schavinsky in Captain Ribnikov Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Schavinsky moves easily between the drawing rooms of society and the dingy back room of 'The Glory of Petrograd,' where reporters scribble and drink and trade unprintable gossip. He is generous, amused, and quietly fastidious — he thinks 'Swine!' at a spitting officer — yet he keeps coming back to the rough company. His painter's eye and social ease make him the natural lens through which the story's overlapping worlds of art, journalism, and violence come into focus.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Vladimir Ivanovich Schavinsky sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Vladimir Ivanovich Schavinsky in the river of life

Character Web

19 connections

A slice of how Vladimir Ivanovich Schavinsky sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Spies, Priests, and Performers
Biblical and Romantic Figures
Officers and Society Women

+14 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Vera Nikolayevna, who has previously dismissed Zheltkov’s love as…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

Vladimir Ivanovich Schavinsky appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Captain Ribnikov
A journalist who becomes obsessed with observing and uncovering Ribnikov's true identity.
I
A journalist on a large Petersburg paper who meets Ribnikov at the end of the chapter.
II
Visits the 'Glory of Petrograd' restaurant; observes Captain Ribnikov with growing suspicion.
III
A journalist and collector of human types, he obsessively shadows Captain Ribnikov, suspecting him of being a Japanese spy.
IV
Schavinsky initiates a rude game of calling Ribnikov by Japanese generals' names, but later feels remorse and offers a peace-offering rose.
Mechanical Justice
The lecturer and inventor of the mechanical flogging machine, who becomes the victim of his own device.
The Laestrygonians
Obsessed with collecting human types and observing the absurdity of fate.
A Legend
The host, dressed in a red dressing-gown, pretends to be overwhelmed by creative inspiration and begins improvising a story to the violinist's music.
The Army Ensign
A journalist who observes and interacts with Captain Ribnikov, fascinated by his psychological state.
The Piebald Horses
Not present in this chapter.
Roach Hole
The narrator, who recounts his encounters with the Black Roach over many years, visiting him in his squalid room and later receiving his final letter.
II
The student, referred to as Drzhevetzky, observes the three Jews and their behavior on the steamer.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Vladimir Ivanovich Schavinsky unlock in the free preview.

See Vladimir Ivanovich Schavinsky in the river of life

See Vladimir Ivanovich Schavinsky in Captain Ribnikov