# Ardalion Alexandrovich Ivolgin — The Idiot character guide

> Ardalion Alexandrovich Ivolgin in The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** General Ivolgin, Ivolgin, this General Ivolgin whom she had once known, old General Ivolgin, Ardalion Alexandrovitch Ivolgin, Ardalion Alexandrovitch, the Ivolgin, poor Ardalion Alexandrovitch

**First appearance:** 0002-part-i-iii

## Who they are

Ganya's alcoholic, boastful father.

## In the story

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-ix)

Enters dressed in evening clothes, embarrasses Gania by boasting and telling a story about a poodle in a railway carriage.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xi)

Sends a note to the prince via Kolya, likely asking for money; mentioned as drinking.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xii)

Drunk and rambling; takes the prince to the wrong house and then to Madame Terentieff's.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-iv)

The general objects to Lebedev's story and later holds forth to a group about a real interpreter of the Apocalypse.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-i)

Bursts into the room in a rage, causing commotion.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-ii)

Creates a scene, threatening to leave the house and accusing Hippolyte of atheism.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-iii)

Visits the prince in a frantic, tearful state, speaking incoherently about his need for respect and a future important conversation.

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

Dominates the chapter with his elaborate, self-aggrandizing tales of serving as Napoleon's page; later writes a letter to Myshkin breaking off relations, visits Mrs. Epanchin and causes trouble, and ends up wandering the streets with Colia in a state of agitation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/characters/general_ivolin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/characters