The Power of Darkness · Character

Anísya

Peter's worn-down wife, caught between a loveless marriage and a consuming affair with the labourer Nikíta, who threatens to leave her for a respectable match.

major

Also known as Anísya Daddy Akím, Anísya Sighs, Anísya Quite pale

First appearance: act i

As a major figure in The Power of Darkness, Anísya is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Anísya in act i Book page

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Anísya runs Peter's household under a barrage of chores and her husband's scolding, and she has given herself to Nikíta with a passion that has already crossed moral lines. When word comes that Nikíta's parents want him home to marry, she swings between fury, threats of self-harm, and desperate pleas, refusing to let him go. Her jealousy and dependence drive the household toward the choices that will define the play's central crime.

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

See Anísya in act i

Character Web

15 connections

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

Relationship types

Family
Romantic
Psychological

Character groups

Household and Love Triangle
Protagonist

+10 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when Marína, the wronged former lover, arrives at the wedding of h…

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Relationships

Akoulína
family · negative
Akoulína is Anísya's stepdaughter, and their relationship is marked by tension and… How this plays out →
Nikíta
romantic · ambivalent
Peter Ignátitch
family · negative
Matryóna
psychological · negative
Sister
family · negative
Nan
family · ambivalent
Nikíta
romantic · ambivalent

Akoulína
Akoulína is Anísya's stepdaughter, and their relationship is marked by tension and resentment due to Anísya's affair with Nikíta.
Nikíta
Anísya and Nikíta are lovers, with Anísya passionately pursuing him and eventually conspiring to murder her husband for him.
Peter Ignátitch
Anísya is Peter Ignátitch's wife, but their marriage is loveless and she ultimately poisons him to be with Nikíta.
Matryóna
Matryóna manipulates Anísya into poisoning her husband, acting as a cunning and ruthless accomplice.
Sister
Anísya and Peter's sister are sisters-in-law, but their relationship is strained due to Anísya's infidelity and the sister's disapproval.
Nan
Nan is Anísya's young daughter, and Anísya is a neglectful mother, more focused on her affair with Nikíta.
Nikíta
Anísya and Nikíta are lovers, with Anísya passionately pursuing him and eventually conspiring to murder her husband for him.

Relationship notes

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

See Anísya in act i