# Nikíta — The Power of Darkness character guide

> Nikíta in The Power of Darkness by Leo Tolstoy.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Nikíta Laughs, Nikíta Mother, Nikíta Crossing, Nikíta Laughing, Nikíta Snivels

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i

## Snapshot

A young labourer whose easy charm has entangled him with his master's wife, and whose father's sudden demand that he marry sends him spiraling toward dread.

## Who they are

Nikíta works in Peter's yard, juggling Anísya's passion with his parents' plans to marry him off to Marína. When the wedding blessing is demanded, he hides in the barn with a rope, unable to face the icon or the girl he has wronged. His weakness before his mother's coaxing and his own conscience makes him the pivot on which the household's hidden sins turn.

## Relationships

### [Akoulína](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_power_of_darkness_se/characters/akoulina)

_psychological_

Nikíta seduces and later abuses Akoulína, making her a victim of his manipulation and her stepmother's schemes.

### [Peter Ignátitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_power_of_darkness_se/characters/peter_ignatitch)

_professional_

Nikíta works as Peter Ignátitch's hired hand, but their relationship is strained by Nikíta's affair with Peter's wife Anísya.

### [Anísya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_power_of_darkness_se/characters/anisya)

_romantic_

Anísya and Nikíta are lovers, with Anísya passionately pursuing him and eventually conspiring to murder her husband for him.

### [Marína](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_power_of_darkness_se/characters/marina)

_romantic_

Marína was Nikíta's former lover, and he abandoned her and their child, leaving her heartbroken and bitter.

### [Matryóna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_power_of_darkness_se/characters/matryona)

_family_

Matryóna is Nikíta's mother, who actively encourages his immoral behavior and manipulates him for her own gain.

### [Akoulína](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_power_of_darkness_se/characters/akoulina)

_psychological_

Nikíta seduces and later abuses Akoulína, making her a victim of his manipulation and her stepmother's schemes.

### [Anísya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_power_of_darkness_se/characters/anisya)

_romantic_

Anísya and Nikíta are lovers, with Anísya passionately pursuing him and eventually conspiring to murder her husband for him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_power_of_darkness_se/characters/nikita
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_power_of_darkness_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_power_of_darkness_se/characters