# Akim Akimitch — The House of the Dead character guide

> Akim Akimitch in The House of the Dead by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** this Akim Akimitch, M., Tea Akim Akimitch, M. Akim Akimitch, Meanwhile M., Besides M.

**First appearance:** 0002-part-i-ii-first-impressions

## Snapshot

An orphan raised on military discipline, he keeps Christmas in prison with the same rigid propriety he once kept a barracks — and once dared to think for himself.

## Who they are

A former soldier who grew up without a home, Akim Akimitch has replaced desire with rule and ritual, saving a new suit for months just to wear it on Christmas Day. He stuffs and roasts the holiday pig with anticipatory reverence, as though it were a sacred object rather than dinner. His single attempt at independent judgment landed him in prison, and he has never risked another — a quiet warning about what prison does to a man's will.

## In the story

### [II: First Impressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/chapters/part-i-ii-first-impressions)

A fellow upper-class prisoner, described as tall, lean, dull-witted, and phenomenally honest; he tells the narrator his story of shooting a chieftain.

### [IV: First Impressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/chapters/part-i-iv-first-impressions)

The head convict in the room, who occasionally shouts at other convicts but is met with jeers.

### [The First Month](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/chapters/part-i-v-the-first-month)

Described as the kindest and friendliest convict, who recommends Osip to cook for the narrator.

### [VI: The First Month](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/chapters/part-i-vi-the-first-month)

Helps the narrator settle in, shares tea, and works on a quilt but cannot provide insights into convict characters.

### [VII: New Acquaintances. Petrov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/chapters/part-i-vii-new-acquaintances-petrov)

Points out a convict barber to the narrator, helping him avoid the painful prison barbers.

### [X: Christmas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/chapters/part-i-x-christmas)

Meticulously prepares for the holiday, cooks a sucking-pig, says prayers, and helps distribute offerings. He exchanges Christmas greetings with the narrator.

### [Prison Animals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-prison-animals)

Consulted about the possibility of gilding Vaska's horns; he deems it possible but not lasting or useful.

### [Comrades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/chapters/part-ii-viii-comrades)

Described as an absolutely indifferent convict who has established himself permanently in prison; his calm demeanor depresses the narrator.

### [Comrades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/chapters/part-ii-viii-comrades)

A political prisoner of noble character, but mistrustful and self-controlled; the narrator respects him but cannot feel affection.

### [IX: An Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/chapters/part-ii-ix-an-escape)

Becomes a corporal under the new prison regulations.

### [X: How I Left Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/chapters/part-ii-x-how-i-left-prison)

The narrator says goodbye to Akim Akimitch, who still has a long sentence ahead.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/characters/akim_akimitch
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/characters