The Idiot · Character
Parfyon Semyonovich Rogozhin
A feverish, dark-eyed merchant's son who arrives from the provinces with a million roubles and one consuming obsession: Nastasya Filippovna.
major
Also known as Rogojin, Parfen Rogojin, Parfen, Mrs. Rogojin, the Parfen Rogojin, this Rogojin, old Mrs. Rogojin, Parfen Semionovitch, Parfen Semeonovitch
First appearance: part i ii
As a major figure in The Idiot, Parfyon Semyonovich Rogozhin is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Heir to a fortune, recounts his obsession with Nastasya Filippovna and his conflict with his father.
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Rogozhin meets Myshkin on the train and tells him, without shame, that he ran from his father and nearly died of fever, and that he would have been murdered if he'd stayed. Newly rich and utterly without polish, he…
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See Parfyon Semyonovich Rogozhin in part i iiCharacter Web
43 connectionsA slice of how Parfyon Semyonovich Rogozhin sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Central characters in love triangle
- Minor and background characters
+38 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative 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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Parfyon Semyonovich Rogozhin appears across 20 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
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See Parfyon Semyonovich Rogozhin in part i ii