# Alexei Ivanovitch — The Gambler character guide > Alexei Ivanovitch in The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Alexis Ivanovitch, myself, I **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Who they are A young tutor with no money and no prospects, narrating his own feverish slide from servant to gambler and back again. ## Relationships ### [The General](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/the_general) _professional_ Alexei is employed as a tutor to the General's children, but their relationship is strained by the General's financial desperation and Alexei's disdain for his employer. ### [Grandmother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/grandmother) _family_ Grandmother is the General's wealthy aunt, and Alexei interacts with her as a familiar dependent, though she treats him with a mix of condescension and amusement. ### [Polina Alexandrovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/polina_alexandrovna) _romantic_ Alexei is obsessively in love with Polina, who manipulates his feelings and keeps him in a state of emotional torment and servitude. ### [Mr. Astley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/mr_astley) _friendship_ Mr. Astley is a quiet, principled Englishman who serves as a confidant and moral counterpoint to Alexei's chaotic behavior. ### [The Frenchman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/the_frenchman) _rivalry_ The Frenchman (De Grieux) is a rival for Polina's affections and a financial antagonist, representing cold calculation against Alexei's passion. ### [Baroness Burmergelm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/baroness_burmergelm) _social_ Alexei insults the Baroness in a public scene, creating a scandal that leads to his social ostracism and the General's fury. ### [Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/martha) _professional_ Martha is a servant in the General's household, and Alexei interacts with her in passing, with no deep connection. ### [Zelma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/zelma) _social_ Zelma is a minor acquaintance in the gambling resort, and Alexei interacts with her briefly in social settings. ### [The General](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/the_general) _professional_ Alexei is employed as a tutor to the General's children, but their relationship is strained by the General's financial desperation and Alexei's disdain for his employer. ### [Mr. Astley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/mr_astley) _friendship_ Mr. Astley is a quiet, principled Englishman who serves as a confidant and moral counterpoint to Alexei's chaotic behavior. ### [Grandmother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/grandmother) _family_ Grandmother is the General's wealthy aunt, and Alexei interacts with her as a familiar dependent, though she treats him with a mix of condescension and amusement. ### [The General](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/the_general) _professional_ Alexei is employed as a tutor to the General's children, but their relationship is strained by the General's financial desperation and Alexei's disdain for his employer. ## In the story ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/i) Returns from leave, observes the household's dynamics, and is tasked by Polina to gamble for her. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/ii) Narrates his internal conflict about gambling, his refusal to play for Polina, and his determination to play for himself. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/iii) Narrator; reflects on his loathing of the intrigue around him and his inability to leave Polina. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/iv) Narrates the day's events; gambles for Polina, loses her money, and argues about Russian vs. German character. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/v) Confesses his obsessive love to Polina, expresses violent desires, and agrees to insult the Baroness on her command. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/vi) Narrates the events, driven by obsession with Polina, and deliberately escalates the conflict with the Baron and General. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/vii) Defiantly insists on pursuing the duel with the Baron, but relents after receiving Polina's note, showing his subservience to her. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/viii) Engages in a heated discussion with Mr. Astley about Polina, the General, and Mlle. Blanche, revealing his frustration and suspicions. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/ix) First to spot the Grandmother on the verandah; he is astonished and later escorts her to the General's rooms. ### [The Grandmother Visits the Casino](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/x) Accompanies the Grandmother, explains the rules of roulette, and places her bets as she commands. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/xi) Narrator and guide to the Grandmother; pressured by the General, De Griers, and Mlle. Blanche to intervene in her gambling. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/xii) Accompanies the Grandmother to the casino, advises her on betting, and helps cash securities; is blamed by the Grandmother for her losses. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/xiii) Narrates the chapter; reflects on the past month, his lost passion for Polina, and his current state of isolation. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/xiv) Narrator and protagonist; gambles obsessively, wins a fortune, and returns to Polina. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/xv) Narrates the chapter; experiences Polina's rejection and his own conflicted feelings about love and gambling. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/xvi) Narrates his dissipation in Paris, spending his winnings on Blanche, feeling bored and depressed, and longing for the episode to end. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/xvii) Reflects on his past gambling near-win, resolves to gamble again, and argues with Astley about his fate. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/alexei_ivanovitch - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters