The Idiot · Character

Lukian Timofeyevich Lebedev

A collegiate secretary turned landlord and busybody, forever insinuating himself into other people's business with gossip, flattery, and a well-timed tear.

supporting

Also known as Lebedeff, Mr. Lebedeff, Lukian Timofeyovitch, Lukian, Collegiate Secretary Lebedeff

First appearance: part i iii

See Lukian Timofeyevich Lebedev in part i iii Book page

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Lebedev hovers at the edges of the novel's drawing rooms, a minor official whose real trade is information and access, offering rooms, rumors, and unsolicited commentary to anyone who will listen. He is at once servile and scheming, capable of genuine sentimentality and of pocketing whatever advantage the moment allows. As Myshkin's host in Pavlovsk and a fixture in the Ivolgin orbit, he embodies the petty opportunism against which the prince's guilelessness is measured.

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See Lukian Timofeyevich Lebedev in part i iii

Character Web

10 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Minor and background characters
Central characters in love triangle
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The narrative climax occurs here because Varvara Ardalionovna’s return home in a state of “considerable mental…

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In the story

Lukian Timofeyevich Lebedev appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
A clerk on the train, ingratiates himself with Rogozhin.
Chapter XVI
Mentions Ekaterinhof as a destination for Rogojin and Nastasia.
II
Found in his villa in shirtsleeves, reciting a speech; he is flustered by Myshkin's arrival, then discusses Nastasya Filippovna's behavior and his apocalyptic interpretations.
Chapter VI
Hints to the prince that Nastasya Philipovna is afraid of Aglaya, and organizes the gathering at his house.
Chapter VII
Explains the nature of the visitors as a group more advanced than Nihilists; warns the prince.
Chapter IV
Lebedev delivers a long, drunken speech about medieval famines and cannibalism, concluding with a call to the banquet.
V
Provides a coin for Hippolyte's toss and adjusts candles for the reading.
VII
As master of the house, demands that Hippolyte surrender his pistol and insists on supervision; threatens to take action if refused.
III
Visits the prince after being summoned; admits to finding the 400-rouble purse under a chair and hiding it in his coat lining.
IV
Mentioned as someone with whom the general has quarrelled, and to whom he had previously told his Napoleon stories.
VI
Confesses to being the anonymous correspondent to Lizaveta Prokofyevna and hands over Aglaya's letter to the prince.
Chapter X
Discusses the prince's marriage with the doctor and later assures the prince of his loyalty.

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See Lukian Timofeyevich Lebedev in part i iii