The Little Demon · Character

Nikolai Khripatch

A provincial official and father whose respectable facade barely conceals the petty malice and status-anxiety that saturate his town's social air.

supporting

Also known as Nikolai Vlasyevitch, Nikolai Vlasyevitch Khripatch, Khripatch

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in The Little Demon, Nikolai Khripatch is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The Headmaster, who dismisses Peredonov's accusation with mechanical laughter but later questions Sasha about his fatigue.

In the storyXIIIOpen this moment free

See Nikolai Khripatch in XIII Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Khripatch belongs to the small-town bureaucracy that orbits around Peredonov's school and the gossip networks of the district. As a father, he embodies the novel's quiet indictment of domestic life reduced to routine,…

Continue beside the text

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

See Nikolai Khripatch in i

Character Web

23 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Peredonov's social circle
Extended cast of townspeople
Haunting and matchmaking figures
School officials and tradesmen

+18 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the climax because Sasha’s internal conflict—between shame and obsessive desire—peaks into…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Peredonov
professional · negative
Nikolai Khripatch is a fellow teacher and colleague of Peredonov, but their relationship… How this plays out →
Sasha Pilnikov
professional · ambivalent
Peredonov
professional · negative
Nikolai Khripatch is a fellow teacher and colleague of Peredonov, but their relationship… How this plays out →
Sasha Pilnikov
professional · ambivalent
Peredonov
professional · negative
Nikolai Khripatch is a fellow teacher and colleague of Peredonov, but their relationship… How this plays out →
Sasha Pilnikov
professional · ambivalent

Peredonov
Nikolai Khripatch is a fellow teacher and colleague of Peredonov, but their relationship is marked by rivalry and distrust.
Sasha Pilnikov
Khripatch is a teacher who interacts with Sasha as a student, showing a mix of concern and suspicion.
Peredonov
Nikolai Khripatch is a fellow teacher and colleague of Peredonov, but their relationship is marked by rivalry and distrust.
Sasha Pilnikov
Khripatch is a teacher who interacts with Sasha as a student, showing a mix of concern and suspicion.
Peredonov
Nikolai Khripatch is a fellow teacher and colleague of Peredonov, but their relationship is marked by rivalry and distrust.
Sasha Pilnikov
Khripatch is a teacher who interacts with Sasha as a student, showing a mix of concern and suspicion.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Nikolai Khripatch in i

In the story

Nikolai Khripatch appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XIII
The Headmaster, who dismisses Peredonov's accusation with mechanical laughter but later questions Sasha about his fatigue.
XIX
Worried about Peredonov's behavior, consults the school physician, and confronts Peredonov about his teaching.
Chapter XXIV
Visits with his wife; maintains a distant, formal demeanor and refuses Peredonov's Madeira.
XXVII
The Headmaster advises Peredonov to stay home and reports his mental decline to the District.
XXVIII
Receives the anonymous letter; interviews Kokovkina and Sasha; struggles with how to handle the situation.
XXXI
The Headmaster who meets with Liudmilla and is swayed by her persuasive falsehoods, agreeing to keep Sasha at home until the Peredonov affair is resolved.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Nikolai Khripatch unlock in the free preview.

See Nikolai Khripatch in i

See Nikolai Khripatch in XIII