Character guide

Alexei Ivanovitch

major

Also known as Alexis Ivanovitch, myself, I

A young tutor with no money and no prospects, narrating his own feverish slide from servant to gambler and back again.

Polina Alexandrovna

major

Also known as Polina, Mlle. Polina

The General's proud stepdaughter, who keeps Alexei as a useful slave while letting him love her in vain.

The General

major

Also known as General, the unhappy General, Madame General

A ruined Russian aristocrat mortgaged to his creditors, waiting on his dying aunt's fortune with a French fiancée at his elbow.

Mlle. Blanche

major

Also known as Blanche, the egregious Blanche, Blanche du Placet, Blanche de Cominges

A calculating French adventuress in a riding-habit, courting the General's inheritance while his debts pile up around him.

Mr. Astley

supporting

Also known as Astley, A Mr. Astley

A reserved, wealthy Englishman who watches Alexei's decline with unnerving calm and knows more than he admits.

De Griers

supporting

Also known as de Griers, Monsieur de Griers, Marquis de Griers

A polished French marquis and moneylender who holds the General's debts and Polina's past in his manicured hands.

Grandmother

supporting

Also known as Grandmamma, the Grandmother, Antonida Vassilievna

Antonida Vassilievna is the family's wealthy matriarch, wheeled into the resort expecting to be obeyed and entertained, with Polina and Mlle. Blanche flanking her chair and the General trailing nervously behind. Her fortune is the axis everyone else orbits, yet she treats her money as a right to be capricious rather than a lever to be managed, brushing off rest and propriety alike. The moment she insists on visiting the Casino, the careful schemes built around her inheritance begin to wobble, and the reader senses that this old woman will not be steered.

Potapitch

minor

Also known as the unfortunate Potapitch

The Grandmother's loyal old servant who accompanies her to the casino.

Martha

minor

Also known as Presently Martha

A servant in the General's household, often delivering messages.

Baroness Burmergelm

minor

Also known as the Baroness Burmergelm, Baroness

A German aristocrat whom Alexei publicly insults at the casino.

Zelma

minor

A mysterious woman briefly mentioned in the casino crowd.

The Frenchman

minor

Also known as Frenchman, Master Frenchman

A generic Frenchman at the casino, possibly De Griers in disguise.

Baron Burmergelm

minor

Also known as the Baron Burmergelm

The Baroness's husband, who challenges Alexei after the insult.

Prascovia

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or acquaintance of the family.

Maria Philipovna

minor

A woman mentioned in passing, likely a household figure.

Madame de Cominges

minor

Also known as de Cominges, the Widow de Cominges

An older Frenchwoman associated with Blanche's circle.

Bibi

minor

A nickname for a minor character, possibly a child or servant.

Monsignor

minor

A Catholic clergyman briefly encountered in the hotel.

Theodosia

minor

A name mentioned in passing, possibly a historical or literary allusion.

Racine

minor

A reference to the French playwright, not a character in the story.

Hortense

minor

A minor female name mentioned in the narrative.

Du Placet

minor

An alias or surname used by Blanche in her schemes.