# Polina Alexandrovna — The Gambler character guide > Polina Alexandrovna in The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Polina, Mlle. Polina **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Who they are The General's proud stepdaughter, who keeps Alexei as a useful slave while letting him love her in vain. ## Relationships ### [Alexei Ivanovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/alexei_ivanovitch) _romantic_ Alexei is obsessively in love with Polina, who manipulates his feelings and keeps him in a state of emotional torment and servitude. ### [The General](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/the_general) _family_ Polina is the General's stepdaughter, and their relationship is marked by mutual resentment and financial dependency. ### [Mr. Astley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/mr_astley) _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) _family_ Grandmother is Polina's step-grandmother, and their interactions are cold and transactional, with Grandmother dismissing Polina's needs. ### [Baroness Burmergelm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/baroness_burmergelm) _social_ Polina and the Baroness are distant social acquaintances, with no meaningful interaction beyond public decorum. ### [Zelma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/zelma) _social_ Polina and Zelma are casual acquaintances in the resort, with Zelma serving as a minor figure in Polina's social orbit. ### [Alexei Ivanovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/alexei_ivanovitch) _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) _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) _romantic_ Alexei is obsessively in love with Polina, who manipulates his feelings and keeps him in a state of emotional torment and servitude. ### [The General](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/the_general) _family_ Polina is the General's stepdaughter, and their relationship is marked by mutual resentment and financial dependency. ### [Grandmother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/grandmother) _family_ Grandmother is Polina's step-grandmother, and their interactions are cold and transactional, with Grandmother dismissing Polina's needs. ### [Baroness Burmergelm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/baroness_burmergelm) _social_ Polina and the Baroness are distant social acquaintances, with no meaningful interaction beyond public decorum. ## In the story ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/i) Demands money from Alexei, reveals her need for funds and her manipulative attitude toward him. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/ii) Insists Alexei play as her partner on equal shares; offers him 800 gülden from her winnings. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/iii) Avoids Alexei but maintains a contemptuous, manipulative hold over him; she intends to use him for gambling. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/iv) Entrusts Alexei with 600 gülden to gamble; remains silent during the lunch debate. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/v) Reveals the General's debts to De Griers, admits her own financial troubles, and challenges Alexei to insult the Baroness. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/vi) The object of Alexei's obsession; her cruel treatment and enigmatic allure motivate his reckless behavior. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/vii) Sends a note to Alexei commanding him to stop his duel plans, revealing her influence over him and her complex ties to De Griers. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/viii) Discussed extensively; Alexei believes she is a slave to De Griers and is involved in the schemes surrounding the General's marriage and inheritance. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/ix) Present during the Grandmother's arrival; she translates for Mr. Astley and exchanges a tense look with the Grandmother. ### [The Grandmother Visits the Casino](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/x) Remains hidden among the spectators with the General and others. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/xii) Called by the Grandmother; confirms the General's engagement to Mlle. Blanche; declines immediate departure with the Grandmother due to her siblings. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/xiii) Appears at the end of the chapter, seated in Alexei's room in the semidarkness. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/xiv) Waiting in Alexei's room; he returns to her with his winnings. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/xv) In a hysterical state, rejects Alexei's money and declares she hates him; later flees to Mr. Astley's rooms. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/chapters/xvii) Mentioned as still caring for Alexei; Astley was sent by her to check on him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters/polina_alexandrovna - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gambler_se/characters