# Nadyezhda Fyodorovna — The Duel character guide > Nadyezhda Fyodorovna in The Duel by Anton Chekhov. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Fyodorovna **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot The prettiest woman in a bored seaside town, she burns through empty days craving love, music, and a life that never arrives. ## Who they are Nadyezhda Fyodorovna lives with Laevsky as his mistress, aware that her youth is draining away in a town that offers nothing but heat, gossip, and other people's marriages. Desire overtakes her—she surrenders to Kirilin almost without willing it—yet she insists her soul stayed faithful, a contradiction she half-believes. Her longing for the waltz and French she once knew makes her both sympathetic and self-deceiving, and her fate is bound to the duel whether she knows it or not. ## Relationships ### [Ivan Andreitch Laevsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/ivan_andreitch_laevsky) _romantic_ Laevsky and Nadyezhda are in a tumultuous, co-dependent romantic relationship marked by mutual resentment and fading passion. ### [Marya Konstantinovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/marya_konstantinovna) _social_ Marya Konstantinovna is a judgmental, gossipy acquaintance who disapproves of Nadyezhda's behavior and lifestyle. ### [Samoylenko](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/samoylenko) _friendship_ Samoylenko is kind and protective toward Nadyezhda, treating her with paternal concern. ### [Kirilin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/kirilin) _psychological_ Kirilin is a predatory, obsessive suitor who manipulates and sexually exploits Nadyezhda when she is vulnerable. ### [Atchmianov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/atchmianov) _psychological_ Atchmianov is a persistent, unwanted admirer who pursues Nadyezhda with obsessive attention. ### [Olga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/olga) _friendship_ Olga is a sympathetic servant or companion to Nadyezhda, offering her some emotional support. ### [Von Koren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/von_koren) _rivalry_ Von Koren openly despises Nadyezhda, viewing her as a corrupting influence and a symbol of moral decay. ### [Nikodim Alexandritch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/nikodim_alexandritch) _social_ Nikodim Alexandritch is a polite, distant acquaintance who interacts with Nadyezhda in formal social settings. ### [Ivan Andreitch Laevsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/ivan_andreitch_laevsky) _romantic_ Laevsky and Nadyezhda are in a tumultuous, co-dependent romantic relationship marked by mutual resentment and fading passion. ### [Ivan Andreitch Laevsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/ivan_andreitch_laevsky) _romantic_ Laevsky and Nadyezhda are in a tumultuous, co-dependent romantic relationship marked by mutual resentment and fading passion. ### [Samoylenko](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/samoylenko) _friendship_ Samoylenko is kind and protective toward Nadyezhda, treating her with paternal concern. ### [Nikodim Alexandritch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/nikodim_alexandritch) _social_ Nikodim Alexandritch is a polite, distant acquaintance who interacts with Nadyezhda in formal social settings. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/i) Discussed by Laevsky and Samoylenko; Laevsky reveals he has ceased to love her and is hiding her husband's death from her. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/ii) Nadyezhda is ill and apathetic, eating jelly and milk while Laevsky watches with aversion. She is timid and submissive during dinner, avoiding conflict. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/iii) Referenced by Von Koren as Laevsky's mistress, with whom he lives openly and will soon abandon. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned by Von Koren in his critique of Laevsky's relationship. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/v) Goes bathing, feels guilty about her debts and affair with Kirilin, and enjoys the attention of men in white. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/vi) In a lighthearted, mischievous mood, flirts and enjoys the scenery. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/vii) Drinks wine, confronts Kirilin about their affair, and briefly contemplates seducing Atchmianov to clear her debt. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/viii) Gay and laughing after running with Atchmianov, she is crushed by Laevsky's harsh words and feels heavy, coarse, and drunk. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/ix) Reads the letter about her husband's death, sobs in guilt and fear, and calls out to Laevsky for salvation. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/x) Receives Laevsky's apology; learns of her husband's death; refuses Marya Konstantinovna's push for marriage, valuing her freedom; breaks down in tears during Marya's lecture. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xi) Mentioned as the woman Laevsky plans to leave behind; Von Koren insists she must be taken or sent ahead. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xii) Filled with guilt and sorrow, she resolves to leave Laevsky secretly to spare him shame, while receiving passionate notes from Atchmianov and a threatening one from Kirilin. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xiii) Fears Kirilin has written to Laevsky; feels weak and terrified, stays close to Marya Konstantinovna to avoid Kirilin and Atchmianov. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xiv) Feels trapped and guilty, submits to Kirilin's demands for a meeting, and returns home late. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xv) Discovered by Laevsky in a compromising situation with Kirilin, deepening Laevsky's turmoil. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xvii) Lies in bed wrapped in a rug, terrified and miserable; Laevsky briefly comforts her before leaving for the duel. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xx) Pale and haggard, she confesses everything to Laevsky, who listens gently and strokes her face. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/chapters/xxi) Appears shy and guilty when saying goodbye to Von Koren, holding her hands like a scolded schoolgirl. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters/nadyezhda_fyodorovna - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duel_se/characters