# Baklushin — The House of the Dead character guide

> Baklushin in The House of the Dead by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Meantime Baklushin

**First appearance:** 0009-part-i-ix-isay-fomitch-the-bathhouse-baklushin-s-story

## Snapshot

A lively, irrepressible convict and gifted actor, he throws himself into the prison theatricals with the zeal of a born performer.

## Who they are

Baklushin is the engine of the prison's amateur theater, gossiping about casting, promising a real curtain, and assuring everyone that each actor has been chosen to fit his part. His pranks and stories delight the young and the secure, while the more guarded convicts pretend indifference. Through his enthusiasm, the Christmas performance becomes a brief, strange triumph — a moment when outcasts touch the ordinary world again through make-believe.

## Relationships

### [Luise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/characters/luise)

_romantic_

Baklushin and Luise have a frequent, likely romantic or flirtatious connection in the prison setting.

### [Filatka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/characters/filatka)

_friendship_

Baklushin and Filatka are allies, often cooperating or socializing within the prison.

### [Old Man Antonitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/characters/old_man_antonitch)

_friendship_

Baklushin shows respect and camaraderie toward Old Man Antonitch, a fellow inmate.

### [Luise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/characters/luise)

_romantic_

Baklushin and Luise have a frequent, likely romantic or flirtatious connection in the prison setting.

### [Old Man Antonitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/characters/old_man_antonitch)

_friendship_

Baklushin shows respect and camaraderie toward Old Man Antonitch, a fellow inmate.

### [Filatka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/characters/filatka)

_friendship_

Baklushin and Filatka are allies, often cooperating or socializing within the prison.

## In the story

### [IX: Isay Fomitch—The Bathhouse—Baklushin’s Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/chapters/part-i-ix-isay-fomitch-the-bathhouse-baklushin-s-story)

A lively and charming convict from the 'special division,' nicknamed 'the pioneer.' He helps buy water at the bathhouse and later visits the narrator for tea, sharing news about the upcoming prison theatricals.

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

Participates in the theatricals and goes to see acquaintances to obtain costumes for the performances.

### [The Theatricals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/chapters/part-i-xi-the-theatricals)

A key actor who boasts about his role in Filatka and Miroshka and prepares a program for distinguished visitors.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_dead_se/characters/baklushin
- 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