The Brothers Karamazov · Character

Madame Hohlakov

A wealthy, still-young widow with lively black eyes, she wheels her paralyzed daughter to the elder's door and talks far more than she listens.

supporting

Also known as Hohlakov

First appearance: IV: At the Hohlakovs’

As a supporting figure in The Brothers Karamazov, Madame Hohlakov is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A wealthy widow who, with her paralyzed daughter Lise, waits in a separate part of the portico to receive the elder's blessing.

In the storyIII: Peasant Women Who Have FaithOpen this moment free

Madame Hohlakov moves through the town's drawing rooms as a woman of rank, estate business, and restless nerves, devoted to her fourteen-year-old daughter Lise, who cannot walk. She craves the elder's blessing, society's notice, and some answer to her own half-confessed fears, yet her vivacity keeps sliding into gossip and self-dramatization. Her visits and letters pull the Karamazov circle into the monastery's orbit and make her household a stage for the novel's arguments about faith, hysteria, and love.

See Madame Hohlakov in III: Peasant Women Who Have Faith Book page

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Character Web

31 connections

A slice of how Madame Hohlakov sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Trial and Investigation Core
Minor and Background Characters
Mokroe Episode Participants
Ilusha's Family

+26 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it centers on Katerina Ivanovna’s hysterical, guilt-ridden declarati…

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Relationships

Dmitri Karamazov
social · ambivalent
Madame Hohlakov is a gossipy and meddling acquaintance who involves herself in Dmitri's… How this plays out →
Dmitri Karamazov
social · ambivalent
Madame Hohlakov is a gossipy and meddling acquaintance who involves herself in Dmitri's… How this plays out →
Dmitri Karamazov
social · ambivalent
Madame Hohlakov is a gossipy and meddling acquaintance who involves herself in Dmitri's… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Madame Hohlakov in IV: At the Hohlakovs’

In the story

Madame Hohlakov appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III: Peasant Women Who Have Faith
A wealthy widow who, with her paralyzed daughter Lise, waits in a separate part of the portico to receive the elder's blessing.
IV: A Lady of Little Faith
The sentimental society lady who expresses gratitude, delivers Katerina Ivanovna's note, and confesses her doubts about faith and love.
I: Father Ferapont
Madame Hohlakov writes an enthusiastic letter to Alyosha describing the fulfillment of Zossima's prophecy about the widow's son, urging that the 'miracle' be reported to the monastery.
IV: At the Hohlakovs’
Agitated and nervous, she discusses the miracle, the tragedy in the drawing-room, and the situation with Katerina Ivanovna and Ivan.
V: A Laceration in the Drawing-Room
Interjects with blunt comments, suggesting Katerina's feelings are only a momentary reaction to yesterday's insult.
I: The Engagement
Intercepts Alyosha, distressed by the engagement and Katerina Ivanovna's condition; urges him to cheer Lise.
Book VIII: Mitya
Dmitri attempts to borrow money from her but is turned down.
Goldmines
She misunderstands Mitya's request for money, instead offering advice about goldmines, and refuses to lend him three thousand roubles.
I: The Beginning of Perhotin’s Official Career
Receives Perhotin late at night, denies giving Dmitri money, and fears Dmitri has killed his father.
II: The Injured Foot
Nervous and talkative, she discusses Lise's fits, Ivan's visits, and the upcoming trial.
III: A Little Demon
Mentioned as having kept Alyosha and as reading books that Lise steals.

Chapter companion notes

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See Madame Hohlakov in IV: At the Hohlakovs’

See Madame Hohlakov in III: Peasant Women Who Have Faith