The Duel · Character

Khliabnikov

A terrified, tongue-tied soldier so broken by drill and abuse that he cannot even stammer out his rank, becoming the living image of the army's cruelty.

supporting

Also known as the wretched Khliabnikov

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in The Duel, Khliabnikov is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Beaten by Ensign Rynda; Romashov sees their fates as linked, both cripples arousing compassion and disgust.

In the storyXIVOpen this moment free

See Khliabnikov in XIV Book page

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

Khliabnikov is the regiment's most pitiable figure, a soldier whose spirit has been crushed so thoroughly that he can barely speak when ordered to recite his rank. Officers like Shapovalenko grind their teeth at his stupidity, and he is punished with extra drills and private instruction that only deepen his misery. Romashov's pity for him becomes one of the novel's sharpest moral indictments, a mirror of the human cost hidden beneath the parade ground's polished surface.

Continue beside the text

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

See Khliabnikov in i

Character Web

8 connections

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

Relationship types

Psychological
Other

Character groups

Enlisted soldiers' suffering
Protagonist
Extensive minor characters
Central officer conflicts

+3 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Romashov, facing his imminent duel with Nikolä…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Sublieutenant Romashov
psychological · positive
Khliabnikov is a bullied soldier whom Romashov pityingly tries to protect, reflecting… How this plays out →
Sublieutenant Romashov
psychological · positive
Khliabnikov is a bullied soldier whom Romashov pityingly tries to protect, reflecting… How this plays out →
Sublieutenant Romashov
psychological · positive
Khliabnikov is a bullied soldier whom Romashov pityingly tries to protect, reflecting… How this plays out →

Sublieutenant Romashov
Khliabnikov is a bullied soldier whom Romashov pityingly tries to protect, reflecting Romashov's own vulnerability.
Sublieutenant Romashov
Khliabnikov is a bullied soldier whom Romashov pityingly tries to protect, reflecting Romashov's own vulnerability.
Sublieutenant Romashov
Khliabnikov is a bullied soldier whom Romashov pityingly tries to protect, reflecting Romashov's own vulnerability.

Relationship notes

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

See Khliabnikov in i

In the story

Khliabnikov appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XIV
Beaten by Ensign Rynda; Romashov sees their fates as linked, both cripples arousing compassion and disgust.
Chapter XV
Found wandering bareheaded and beaten, with a disfigured face; Romashov recognizes him as a fellow sufferer.
XVI
Khliabnikov is a pitiful soldier who struggles to answer questions during drill, facing harsh treatment from noncommissioned officers.
XVII
A wretched soldier who visits Romashov; his sad family circumstances and brutal treatment by the military system are revealed.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Khliabnikov unlock in the free preview.

See Khliabnikov in i

See Khliabnikov in XIV