# Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov — The Dark Forest character guide > Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov in The Dark Forest by Hugh Walpole. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Semyonov, Alexei Petrovitch, Alexei **First appearance:** 0002-the-dark-forest ## Snapshot A doctor whose scornful self-assurance once made him master of the unit, he now loves Marie Ivanovna with a possessiveness that unsettles his own iron composure. ## Who they are Semyonov rules the Otriad by the sheer force of his contempt for sentiment, and his judgment of the others as a worthless bundle of rubbish has been accepted by nearly everyone. His love for Marie Ivanovna is the one emotion that visibly masters him, and it makes him both happier and more vulnerable than the unit has ever seen him. His rivalry with Nikitin—two men who avoid each other with extravagant politeness—quietly structures the moral weather of the camp. ## Relationships ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _psychological_ Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov exerts a manipulative and obsessive influence over the narrator, drawing him into a web of intrigue and danger. ### [John Trenchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters/john_trenchard) _rivalry_ Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov and John Trenchard are locked in a tense, adversarial struggle, each vying for control and survival in a hostile environment. ### [Anna Petrovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters/anna_petrovna) _family_ Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov and Anna Petrovna are siblings, bound by blood but strained by his manipulative and dangerous nature. ### [Russians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters/russians) _social_ Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov interacts with the Russians as a figure of authority or influence, commanding their attention and fear. ### [Mr. Durward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters/mr_durward) _rivalry_ Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov and Mr. Durward are adversaries, each working against the other's plans in a high-stakes conflict. ### [Molozov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters/molozov) _social_ Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov and Molozov have a tense, subordinate relationship, with Molozov likely under Semyonov's sway. ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _psychological_ Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov exerts a manipulative and obsessive influence over the narrator, drawing him into a web of intrigue and danger. ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _psychological_ Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov exerts a manipulative and obsessive influence over the narrator, drawing him into a web of intrigue and danger. ### [John Trenchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters/john_trenchard) _rivalry_ Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov and John Trenchard are locked in a tense, adversarial struggle, each vying for control and survival in a hostile environment. ### [John Trenchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters/john_trenchard) _rivalry_ Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov and John Trenchard are locked in a tense, adversarial struggle, each vying for control and survival in a hostile environment. ### [Mr. Durward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters/mr_durward) _rivalry_ Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov and Mr. Durward are adversaries, each working against the other's plans in a high-stakes conflict. ### [Anna Petrovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters/anna_petrovna) _family_ Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov and Anna Petrovna are siblings, bound by blood but strained by his manipulative and dangerous nature. ## In the story ### [III: The Invisible Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-invisible-battle) Semyonov calls out to the narrator and Marie Ivanovna, signaling the move at five o'clock. ### [IV: Nikitin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/chapters/part-i-iv-nikitin) Observed in the bandaging room as efficient, unmoved, and ironic; also noted watching Andrey Vassilievitch and Nikitin. ### [First Move to the Enemy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/chapters/part-i-v-first-move-to-the-enemy) Trenchard's rival; his presence exacerbates Trenchard's feelings of inadequacy. ### [VI: The Retreat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/chapters/part-i-vi-the-retreat) Now openly with Marie Ivanovna; Trenchard's hatred for him intensifies. ### [I: The Lovers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/chapters/part-ii-i-the-lovers) Shows possessive love for Marie Ivanovna, contempt for the Otriad, and a strong, uncompromising character. ### [II: Marie Ivanovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-marie-ivanovna) Semyonov appears transformed by love, happy and gentle, sitting beside Marie Ivanovna and taking complete possession of her with his eyes. ### [III: The Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-the-forest) Semyonov unexpectedly appears at the house, ordering the narrator to leave and taking his place; his presence unsettles the group. ### [Four?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/chapters/part-ii-iv-four) Absent from the Forest hospital; the narrator notes his difficult personality and the relief felt by others at his absence. ### [V: The Door Closes Behind Them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/chapters/part-ii-v-the-door-closes-behind-them) Shows deep grief for Marie Ivanovna, calling out her name in his sleep; leads the evacuation. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters/alexei_petrovitch_semyonov - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dark_forest_se/characters