# Sublieutenant Romashov — The Duel character guide > Sublieutenant Romashov in The Duel by Aleksandr Kuprin. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Romashov, poor Romashov, V Romashov, little Romashov, Sublieutenant, Colonel Romashov **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A young officer whose romantic idealism and restless conscience collide with the brutal codes of honor in a provincial garrison. ## Who they are Romashov drifts through garrison life half-dreaming, mocked as 'little Romashov' and nagged by his own sensitivity in a world of drinking, cards, and casual cruelty. His affair with Shurochka, his superior's wife, gives him a taste of tenderness and torment at once, while his hatred of Nikoläiev hardens into something neither man can control. Watching him try to be honest in a society that rewards posturing is what makes the early chapters ache. ## Relationships ### [Shurochka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/shurochka) _romantic_ Shurochka is Romashov's passionate but manipulative lover, who ultimately betrays him to protect her husband's career. ### [Nasanski](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/nasanski) _friendship_ Nasanski is Romashov's philosophical and alcoholic friend, offering cynical wisdom and emotional support. ### [Lieutenant Nikoläiev](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/lieutenant_nikolaiev) _rivalry_ Nikoläiev is Romashov's jealous husband and commanding officer, whose rivalry culminates in a fatal duel. ### [Captain Osadchi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/captain_osadchi) _rivalry_ Osadchi is a harsh, domineering officer who despises Romashov's weakness and represents the brutal military system. ### [Lieutenant Viätkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/lieutenant_viatkin) _friendship_ Viätkin is a fellow officer and drinking companion who shares Romashov's disillusionment with army life. ### [Khliabnikov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/khliabnikov) _psychological_ Khliabnikov is a bullied soldier whom Romashov pityingly tries to protect, reflecting Romashov's own vulnerability. ### [Hainán](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/hainan) _professional_ Hainán is Romashov's loyal orderly, serving him with quiet devotion. ### [Alexandra Petrovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/alexandra_petrovna) _social_ Alexandra Petrovna is a fellow officer's wife and a casual social acquaintance at regimental gatherings. ### [General Aragonski](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/general_aragonski) _professional_ Aragonski is a high-ranking general who represents the distant, impersonal military hierarchy. ### [Colonel Rafalski](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/colonel_rafalski) _social_ Rafalski is an eccentric, older colonel who engages Romashov in eccentric conversations about military history. ### [Sub-Ensign Lbov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/sub_ensign_lbov) _social_ Lbov is a boastful, low-ranking officer who seeks Romashov's attention and approval. ### [Lieutenant Bobetinski](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/lieutenant_bobetinski) _social_ Bobetinski is a fellow officer and superficial social companion in the regiment. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/i) Publicly humiliated by Shulgovich and placed under four days' arrest for defending a Tartar soldier. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/ii) Romashov is the central character, lost in fantasies of military glory while feeling isolated and ashamed of his shabby appearance. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/iii) Lies on his bed in a state of mental emptiness and self-loathing, disgusted by his affair with Raisa and his failed ambitions. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/iv) Visits the Nikoläievs, observes Shurochka, and reflects on her beauty and his infatuation. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/v) Stands on the doorstep, overhears servants mocking him, feels deep shame, resolves to end visits, then visits Nasanski out of spite. ### [Chapter VI: The Thread of Solitude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/vi) Under arrest, he grapples with loneliness, boredom, and a deep philosophical exploration of his own 'Ego' and the nature of freedom. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/vii) Endures a humiliating confrontation with Shulgovich, feels like a pitiful schoolboy, and later retreats to his writing. ### [Chapter VIII: The Officers' Mess Ball and the Duel Debate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/viii) Romashov observes the ball with critical detachment, noting the poverty and pretension behind the festive display. He avoids Raisa Peterson after spotting her vengeful expression. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/ix) Confronts Raisa, ending their affair; feels shame and self-disgust; observes gambling and reflects on his life. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/x) Oversleeps and is late for drill; feels shame and disgust; confronts Captain Sliva over the maltreatment of soldiers. ### [Chapter XI: The Name-Day Invitation and the Visit to Colonel Brehm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xi) Desperately poor and anxious about borrowing money for Shurochka's name-day; visits Rafalski to seek a loan. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xii) Arrives nervous and self-conscious; feels Nikoläiev's hostility and Shurochka's intense, mysterious gaze. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xiii) Lost in a dreamlike state, he is intoxicated by Shurochka's presence and barely registers the violent talk around him. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xiv) Feels like a banned fugitive after the General's criticism; identifies with the abused soldier Khliabnikov and contemplates suicide. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xv) Confronted by Nikoläiev, ends their acquaintance, experiences despair and blasphemy, then finds Khliabnikov. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xvi) Romashov is deeply disillusioned, questioning the purpose of war and military life, and drinks heavily with Viätkin, weeping over his empty existence. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xvii) Undergoes a profound inward change, isolates himself, befriends Khliabnikov, contemplates leaving military service, dreams of a literary career, and continues his secret nightly vigils near Shurochka's house. ### [Chapter XVIII: The Orgies and the Intervention](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xviii) Romashov is drawn into the regiment's orgies, intervenes to stop Biek-Agamalov from striking a woman, and later visits a brothel, torn between his longing for Shurochka and the debauchery around him. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xix) Romashov is caught in the chaotic aftermath of the wild scene, wandering the mess in distress, confronting Nikoläiev, and ultimately engaging in a violent brawl. He feels deep shame and self-disgust as he walks home at dawn. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xx) The accused before the Court of Honour; feels hunted, indifferent, and later isolated and doomed. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xxi) Listens to Nasanski's tirade, expresses disgust at military brutality, and reveals his resolve to duel Nikoläiev despite Nasanski's pleas. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xxii) Romashov is visited by Shurochka in his dark room, where he agrees to her plan for the duel despite feeling a 'freezing chill at heart' and sensing something 'unclean and nauseous' between them. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xxiii) The duel's loser; shot and dies from internal hemorrhage. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters/sublieutenant_romashov - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_2_se/characters