# Mr. Astley — The Gambler character guide

> Mr. Astley in The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Astley, A Mr. Astley

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Who they are

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

## Relationships

### [Alexei Ivanovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/alexei_ivanovitch)

_friendship_

Mr. Astley is a quiet, principled Englishman who serves as a confidant and moral counterpoint to Alexei's chaotic behavior.

### [Polina Alexandrovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/polina_alexandrovna)

_romantic_

Mr. Astley harbors a quiet, unrequited love for Polina, offering her genuine kindness and support without expectation.

### [Grandmother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/grandmother)

_social_

Grandmother treats Mr. Astley with polite curiosity, seeing him as an eccentric but harmless foreigner.

### [The General](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/the_general)

_social_

Mr. Astley and the General are polite acquaintances, with Astley observing the General's financial ruin with detached pity.

### [Baroness Burmergelm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/baroness_burmergelm)

_social_

The Baroness and Mr. Astley are part of the same European social circle in the resort, interacting with formal courtesy.

### [The Frenchman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/the_frenchman)

_rivalry_

Mr. Astley and the Frenchman are quiet rivals, with Astley disapproving of the Frenchman's manipulative treatment of Polina and the General.

### [Alexei Ivanovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/alexei_ivanovitch)

_friendship_

Mr. Astley is a quiet, principled Englishman who serves as a confidant and moral counterpoint to Alexei's chaotic behavior.

### [Polina Alexandrovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/polina_alexandrovna)

_romantic_

Mr. Astley harbors a quiet, unrequited love for Polina, offering her genuine kindness and support without expectation.

### [Alexei Ivanovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/alexei_ivanovitch)

_friendship_

Mr. Astley is a quiet, principled Englishman who serves as a confidant and moral counterpoint to Alexei's chaotic behavior.

### [Baroness Burmergelm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/baroness_burmergelm)

_social_

The Baroness and Mr. Astley are part of the same European social circle in the resort, interacting with formal courtesy.

### [Grandmother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/grandmother)

_social_

Grandmother treats Mr. Astley with polite curiosity, seeing him as an eccentric but harmless foreigner.

### [The General](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/the_general)

_social_

Mr. Astley and the General are polite acquaintances, with Astley observing the General's financial ruin with detached pity.

## In the story

### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/i)

Takes pleasure in Alexei's brush with the Frenchman, is shy and in love with Polina, and is wealthier than the Frenchman.

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

Shy and reserved; secretly in love with Polina; watches the group from a distance and speaks cryptically to Alexei.

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

Observes the roulette table all morning without betting, pointing out patterns to Alexei.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/vii)

Mentioned by Alexei as a potential second for the duel, highlighting his social standing and friendship with Alexei.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/viii)

Provides Alexei with insights into Mlle. Blanche's past and the General's precarious situation, while maintaining a calm and reserved demeanor.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/xi)

Corresponding with Polina; Alexei suspects he is her confidant.

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

Alexei looks for him but cannot find him; he is absent from his rooms, the Casino, and the Park.

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

Reveals that Polina is ill and staying with him; questions Alexei about his winnings and predicts he will leave for Paris.

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

Confronts Alexei, criticizes his addiction and Russian character, reveals Polina's concern, and offers money.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/mr_astley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters