# Nastasya Filippovna Barashkova — The Idiot character guide > Nastasya Filippovna Barashkova in The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Nastasia Philipovna, Nastasia Philipovna Barashkoff, Nastasia, Barashkoff, the pitiless Nastasia, Philipovna **First appearance:** 0001-part-i-ii ## Snapshot A stunning, proud woman kept as a child mistress by a wealthy man, now the center of a bidding war she refuses to lose gracefully. ## Who they are Nastasya Filippovna was ruined young by Totsky and has spent years being passed around as a beautiful object, which has made her both magnetic and merciless. She holds men in contempt even as she craves proof that one of them might love her without a price, and her birthday party becomes the stage where she throws her fate in everyone's face. Her refusal to be simply rescued or simply bought drives the novel's central triangle and its darkest consequences. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-i) Mentioned as the object of Rogozhin's obsession; receives the diamond earrings. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Her portrait is examined and discussed; the prince comments on her beauty and possible suffering. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Nastasia is the central figure in the marriage scheme; she responds to Totski and Epanchin's proposal with unexpected seriousness and courtesy, expressing a desire for family life but uncertainty about Gania. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Her portrait is examined and discussed; the prince notes suffering and power in her face. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Nastasia Philipovna arrives unexpectedly, angry and imperious, demanding to be announced and immediately dominating the scene. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-ix) Arrives unexpectedly at the Ivolgins', mocking Gania and the family, and showing disdain for social conventions. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-x) Visits the Ivolgins, displays mocking behavior but shows hidden vulnerability; kisses Nina Alexandrovna's hand. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xiii) Hosts the gathering, appears hysterical and agitated, laughing and then falling into gloom, and insists on playing Ferdishenko's confessional game. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xiv) Hosts the gathering, rejects Totski's proposal and gifts, declares her freedom, and asks Myshkin for his decision on her marriage. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xv) In a feverish, defiant mood, she mocks Gania and Totsky, declares her independence, and contemplates accepting Rogojin's offer. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-i-xvi) Rejects Myshkin's proposal and leaves with Rogojin, declaring her freedom. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-i) Fled to Moscow after the Ekaterinhof orgy, was discovered by Rogojin, disappeared again, and is rumored to have almost married him before vanishing once more. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Described by Lebedev as restless, mocking, deceitful, and violent; she insists on her freedom and is disgusted by her coming marriage, yet fears Rogozhin. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-iii) Discussed as the object of Rogojin's obsession; she is said to love Myshkin and to treat Rogojin with contempt and mockery. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-v) Not present in the chapter; Myshkin learns she has gone to Pavlofsk with Daria Alexeyevna. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-x) Appears suddenly in a passing carriage, calls out to Evgeny Pavlovitch, and reveals that Rogozhin has bought up his debts, causing a scandal. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-ii-xi) Nastasia is staying in Pavlovsk, driving in a smart carriage, and has attracted a following. Her mysterious actions and motives trouble the prince. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) Appears suddenly at the park, publicly humiliates Evgeny Pavlovich by announcing his uncle's suicide and missing government funds. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) Discussed by Rogojin as being in love with Myshkin and planning to marry him to Aglaya before marrying Rogojin herself. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-viii) Discussed extensively by Myshkin and Aglaya; her past, her relationship with Rogojin, and her letters to Aglaya. ### [Chapter X: The Nightmare Letters and the Midnight Encounter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iii-x) Writes three delirious letters to the prince, expressing love, fear of Rogojin, and a desire to unite him with Aglaya; later appears suddenly and kneels before him. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-viii) Hosts the meeting, initially restrained but becomes hysterical, claims the prince and drives Rogozhin away. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-ix) Nastasya is hurrying the wedding and spends all her days and evenings with the prince. She is described as having 'intolerable pride' and 'insolent, rapacious egotism' by Evgeny Pavlovich, though the prince defends her as worthy of sympathy. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-x) Alternates between hysterical fear of Rogojin and excited preparation for the wedding; her mood darkens as the ceremony approaches. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/chapters/part-iv-xi) Found dead on a bed in Rogojin's study, covered with a sheet, surrounded by scattered diamonds and silk dress pieces. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/characters/nastasya_philipovna - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_idiot_se/characters