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The Idiot · Character

Marfa Borisovna

Rogozhin's mother, mentioned but not seen.

minor

Also known as Marfa Borisovna, Marfa Borisovna

First appearance: part i ii

Marfa Borisovna shows up with force in XII. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Madame Terentieff; angry at General Ivolgin for not showing up and for owing money.
In the storyXIIOpen this moment free

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In XII: Madame Terentieff; angry at General Ivolgin for not showing up and for owing money. Later, in IV: Rogojin's mother, who blesses…

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The fuller portrait of Marfa Borisovna sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Marfa Borisovna in part i ii

Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how Marfa Borisovna sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

NANikolai Ardali…IFIvan Fyodorovi…AAArdalion Alexa…GAGavrila Ardali…PLPrince Lev Nik…MBMarfa Borisovna

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Minor and background characters
  • Central characters in love triangle
  • Protagonist

+2 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

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

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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In the story

Marfa Borisovna appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Marfa Borisovna unlock in the free preview.

See Marfa Borisovna in part i ii