# Lieutenant Nikoläiev — The Duel character guide

> Lieutenant Nikoläiev in The Duel by Aleksandr Kuprin.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Nikoläiev

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

Shurochka's husband and Romashov's rival, a career officer whose wounded pride demands satisfaction no apology can give.

## Who they are

Nikoläiev is the regiment's rising man, absorbed in examinations and advancement, and he wears his marriage to Shurochka like a decoration. When Romashov's attentions to her become visible, his jealousy curdles into a cold, procedural fury that the officers' code of honor is only too ready to serve. His quarrel with Romashov turns a private humiliation into the regiment's public business.

## Relationships

### [Sublieutenant Romashov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/sublieutenant_romashov)

_rivalry_

Nikoläiev is Romashov's jealous husband and commanding officer, whose rivalry culminates in a fatal duel.

### [Shurochka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/shurochka)

_family_

Nikoläiev is Shurochka's devoted but insecure husband, unaware of her affair with Romashov.

### [Sublieutenant Romashov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/sublieutenant_romashov)

_rivalry_

Nikoläiev is Romashov's jealous husband and commanding officer, whose rivalry culminates in a fatal duel.

### [Shurochka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/shurochka)

_family_

Nikoläiev is Shurochka's devoted but insecure husband, unaware of her affair with Romashov.

### [Sublieutenant Romashov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/sublieutenant_romashov)

_rivalry_

Nikoläiev is Romashov's jealous husband and commanding officer, whose rivalry culminates in a fatal duel.

### [Shurochka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/shurochka)

_family_

Nikoläiev is Shurochka's devoted but insecure husband, unaware of her affair with Romashov.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as Romashov asks if there has been any message from him; his home is the object of Romashov's compulsive visits.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/iv)

Studying German at his desk, briefly interacts with Shurochka and Romashov.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned in Romashov's imagination as complaining about Romashov's visits.

### [Chapter XI: The Name-Day Invitation and the Visit to Colonel Brehm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xi)

Mentioned as Shurochka's husband; his servant Stepan delivers the invitation.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xii)

Acts jovial but Romashov detects coldness and jealousy in his tone and gestures.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xiii)

Sits opposite Romashov, silent and displeased, glancing with cold contempt.

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xv)

Accuses Romashov of being Alexandra Petrovna's lover, ends their friendship, leaves in a droshky.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xvii)

Shurochka's husband; mentioned as being invited to a whist party at the commander's, allowing Romashov to approach the house.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xix)

Nikoläiev is present in the mess, intoxicated and hostile toward Romashov. He insults Romashov and initiates a physical fight, ending with both men rolling on the floor.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xx)

Romashov's antagonist in the mess fight; stands before the court alongside Romashov, both highly strung.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xxi)

Referenced as the man who insulted and struck Romashov, leading to Romashov's determination to duel him.

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xxii)

Nikoläiev is discussed by Shurochka as the husband whose career and examination prospects depend on the duel's outcome, though he is not physically present in the chapter.

### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xxiii)

The duel's winner; fires the fatal shot and awaits a return fire that never comes.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/lieutenant_nikolaiev
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters