# Nikolai Ardalionovich Ivolgin — The Idiot character guide

> Nikolai Ardalionovich Ivolgin in The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Colia, Ivolgin, XII Colia, Colia Ivolgin, Dear Colia, Poor Colia, Nicolai Ardalionovitch

**First appearance:** 0001-part-i-ii

## Snapshot

Ganya's thirteen-year-old brother, a schoolboy with more heart than the adults around him, who attaches himself devotedly to Myshkin and Hippolyte.

## Who they are

Kolya shares a cramped back room with his failing father, General Ivolgin, and moves through the household as its youngest, most clear-eyed observer. He is earnest, meddlesome in the way of clever boys, and loyal to a fault, running errands and carrying messages between characters who would rather not speak to each other. His open affection for Myshkin gives the prince one of his few uncomplicated friendships, and his presence sharpens the contrast between the novel's adult schemes and its youngest witness.

## In the story

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

Upset by the scene, he asks the prince to help remove the general from the room.

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

Follows the prince to console him; delivers a note from his father; shows loyalty and attachment to Myshkin.

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

Leads the prince to the public-house; later found at Madame Terentieff's, caring for Hippolyte.

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

Mentioned as visiting Nastasya Filippovna often; Lebedev calls him a strange, thoughtless boy.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-vi)

Brings news of the prince's illness to the Epanchins and participates in the 'poor knight' discussion.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-viii)

Reads the article aloud, feeling deep shame and hiding his face afterward.

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

Mentioned as Hippolyte's frequent visitor and is instructed to accompany him home.

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

Present and alarmed by Hippolyte's actions.

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

Sits with Hippolyte during his fever and delirium, and later leaves him.

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

Visits the prince to discuss Hippolyte's 'explanation' and his own impressions.

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

Present during the commotion, following his mother.

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

Carries the general's bag and tries to calm the situation.

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

Discusses the general's behavior with his mother and seeks explanations from the prince.

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

Accompanies his father after the quarrel, tries to reason with him, and identifies a Gogol quote; shows concern and frustration.

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

Anxious on the prince's account, busy with wedding arrangements.

## Links

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