# Gavrila Ardalionovich Ivolgin — The Idiot character guide > Gavrila Ardalionovich Ivolgin in The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Gania, Both Gania, the delighted Gania, The bewildered Gania, that Gania, Seeing Gania, Gavrila Ardalionovitch, Gavrila Ardalionovitch Ivolgin, Gavrila, Gania—confused **First appearance:** 0001-part-i-ii ## Snapshot An ambitious, proud young secretary who wants Aglaya's hand and Nastasya's money, and cannot stomach the humiliation of either bargain. ## Who they are Ganya is the general's secretary and the son of a blustering, half-mad father, and he has calculated his way toward marrying into the Epanchin family. Offered a payout to marry Nastasya instead, he wavers between greed and wounded pride, and his rage at being treated as a bought husband erupts in ugly scenes at home. His indecision and self-contempt make him a perfect specimen of the novel's theme: what a man will do when he believes he deserves better than he is offered. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Enters the anteroom with papers; listens to the servant's report about the prince; courteously addresses Myshkin and recalls the letter from Switzerland; ushers the prince into the general's study. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Anxiously questions the prince about Rogojin and Nastasia, and reveals tensions at home regarding the marriage arrangement. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Gania is the proposed husband for Nastasia; he is described as passionately in love with her, though his attachment is questioned by Nastasia. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Denies marriage plans to Mrs. Epanchin, asks the prince to deliver a note to Aglaya, and later insults the prince in frustration. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Gania is the tyrannical head of the household, increasingly irritable and quarrelsome with his family over the prospect of Nastasia Philipovna's visit. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-ix) Horrified by Nastasia's visit, he struggles with humiliation and rage, especially when his father appears. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-x) Loses composure, attempts to strike his sister Varia, and slaps the prince instead. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xi) Apologizes to the prince and reconciles; reveals his determination to marry Nastasya Filippovna for money; discusses his ambitions and resentment. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xiii) Present and gloomy, stands apart, silent and miserable, having earlier recounted his apology to the prince. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xiv) The proposed groom; remains silent and pale as Nastasia rejects him based on Myshkin's advice. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xv) Humbled and exposed, he is publicly shamed by Nastasia for his mercenary intentions. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xvi) Watches with hatred as Myshkin proposes; later prepares to leave. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-i) Fell seriously ill after the events at Nastasia's party, resigned his post, and became estranged from the Epanchins; later reconciled with the prince in a tearful meeting. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-xi) Gania visits the prince, discussing Nastasia Philipovna's activities in Pavlovsk and the Burdovsky affair, while avoiding certain topics. He appears to desire more frankness. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-xii) Mentioned as possibly having brought Aglaya into correspondence with Nastasia Philipovna. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-iv) Gania stops drinking, pushes away his glass, and goes to sit by Rogojin, appearing dark and shadowed. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-vii) Expresses annoyance at the reading and dismisses Hippolyte as a fool; exchanges insults with Hippolyte. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-viii) Aglaya falsely claims she loves him and that he burned his hand for her. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-i) Paces frantically, angry about his father's behavior and the engagement; reveals his contempt for Hippolyte. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-ii) Receives a secret note from Aglaya requesting a meeting, and shows triumph after Hippolyte's accusations. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-iv) Referenced indirectly as the subject of the general's bitter hints to Mrs. Epanchin. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-vi) The recipient of Aglaya's letter, which Lebedev intercepted. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-ix) Gania makes a fool of himself by declaring his love to Aglaya while she is in distress. She laughs at him and asks if he would hold his finger to a candle as proof of devotion. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/characters/ganya_ivolin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/characters