# Sasha Pilnikov — The Little Demon character guide > Sasha Pilnikov in The Little Demon by Fyodor Sologub. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Sasha, Pilnikov, Aleksandr Pilnikov, Mademoiselle Pilnikov **First appearance:** 0006-i ## Snapshot A red-cheeked, blushing schoolboy living quietly apart from his classmates, whose secret makes him the target of a town's dirtiest rumors. ## Who they are Sasha keeps to himself in a rented room, so modest his schoolmates tease him for being a girl, unaware how close the joke lands. When Peredonov's suspicion fastens on him, the town's gossip machine turns him into a scandal, and the fashionable Liudmilla rushes to his defense with tears, perfume, and a story of brotherly affection. He is the still point around which the novel's ugliest rumors and its one idyllic tenderness both swirl. ## Relationships ### [Liudmilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/liudmilla) _romantic_ Liudmilla is obsessively infatuated with the young Sasha, engaging in a predatory and eroticized relationship. ### [Olga Kokovkina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/olga_kokovkina) _romantic_ Olga Kokovkina is a young woman who develops a romantic interest in Sasha, but her feelings are unreciprocated. ### [Peredonov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/peredonov) _rivalry_ Peredonov views Sasha with irrational jealousy and suspicion, seeing him as a threat to his position. ### [Nikolai Khripatch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/nikolai_khripatch) _professional_ Khripatch is a teacher who interacts with Sasha as a student, showing a mix of concern and suspicion. ### [Liudmilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/liudmilla) _romantic_ Liudmilla is obsessively infatuated with the young Sasha, engaging in a predatory and eroticized relationship. ### [Liudmilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/liudmilla) _romantic_ Liudmilla is obsessively infatuated with the young Sasha, engaging in a predatory and eroticized relationship. ### [Olga Kokovkina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/olga_kokovkina) _romantic_ Olga Kokovkina is a young woman who develops a romantic interest in Sasha, but her feelings are unreciprocated. ### [Peredonov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/peredonov) _rivalry_ Peredonov views Sasha with irrational jealousy and suspicion, seeing him as a threat to his position. ### [Nikolai Khripatch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/nikolai_khripatch) _professional_ Khripatch is a teacher who interacts with Sasha as a student, showing a mix of concern and suspicion. ### [Peredonov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/peredonov) _rivalry_ Peredonov views Sasha with irrational jealousy and suspicion, seeing him as a threat to his position. ### [Olga Kokovkina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/olga_kokovkina) _romantic_ Olga Kokovkina is a young woman who develops a romantic interest in Sasha, but her feelings are unreciprocated. ### [Nikolai Khripatch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/nikolai_khripatch) _professional_ Khripatch is a teacher who interacts with Sasha as a student, showing a mix of concern and suspicion. ## In the story ### [Translators’ Preface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/translators-preface) Referenced as part of the beautiful Sasha-Liudmilla episode that contrasts with the Peredonovian atmosphere. ### [Author's Preface to the Second Russian Edition, 1908](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/author-s-preface-to-the-second-russian-edition-1908) Listed among the characters depicted in the novel as Aleksandr Pilnikov. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xii) Prays earnestly at Vespers, is watched by Peredonov; later at supper with Kokovkina, is interrogated by Peredonov and feels trapped and angry. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xiii) The new student accused by Peredonov of being a girl; later questioned by the Headmaster about his tiredness and bursts into tears. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xiv) The subject of Liudmilla's visit; he is shy, blushes easily, and is the object of her romantic and erotic interest. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xvi) Becomes the object of Liudmilla's attention, enjoys her company, and begins to develop premature desires. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xvii) Sasha is drawn to Liudmilla, feeling both happy and uneasy. He participates in her games, kisses her hand, and is intrigued by the perfumes she shares. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xviii) Appears in Peredonov's nightmare, beckoning and leading him through dark streets. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxvi) Fascinated by Liudmilla, experiences shame and desire, participates in dressing up and intimate acts. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxvii) Teased by classmates about Liudmilla; becomes the target of Peredonov's accusations and insults. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxviii) Caught cross-dressing at Liudmilla's; questioned by Khripatch; sneaks out to the masked ball. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxix) Dressed as a Geisha, attracts many admirers and receives numerous cards, coquetting furiously. ### [The Masked Ball and the Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxx) Disguised as the Geisha, he is attacked at the ball, rescued by Bengalsky, and taken to the Routilovs; later returns home safely. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxxi) The young nephew who joyfully greets his aunt but is distressed by the accusations; he maintains his innocence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/sasha_pilnikov - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters