The Secret City · Character

Boris Nicolaievitch Grogoff

A loud, generous young Socialist who haunts the Markovitch flat, shouting his opinions, despising Markovitch, and patronising the narrator with rough kindness.

supporting

Also known as Grogoff, Boris Grogoff, Boris Nicolaievitch, Boris, the Grogoff

First appearance: ii

As a supporting figure in The Secret City, Boris Nicolaievitch Grogoff is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A handsome, energetic internationalist Socialist who spends much time at the Markovitch flat, often gesticulating and expressing opinions loudly.

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No relation to the family, Boris Nicolaievitch Grogoff is a handsome, curly-haired internationalist who spends most of his time in the Markovitch flat, declaiming at the top of his voice or glaring moodily at the floor. He despises Markovitch, patronises Ivan Andreievitch, yet would give away anything he owned if asked. His restless energy and sudden generosities make him a fixture of the household's noisy, argumentative life, and his unexplained presence there quietly unsettles the narrator's account of the family.

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See Boris Nicolaievitch Grogoff in ii

Character Web

17 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central family and associates
Protagonist

+12 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

This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Vera’s interna…

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In the story

Boris Nicolaievitch Grogoff appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VI
A handsome, energetic internationalist Socialist who spends much time at the Markovitch flat, often gesticulating and expressing opinions loudly.
Chapter VII
Present at the dinner; engages in a heated argument with Nina.
Markovitch's Confidences
Referenced by Markovitch as someone who shouts about 'cheap Socialism'.
XII
A striking but ill-educated figure, self-confident and loudly socialist, yet kindly; suspected of caring for Nina.
XVI
Loves Nina; Vera fears his influence over her.
Chapter XVII
Mentioned by Nina as someone like whom men might save Russia, but she scoffs at the idea.
XXII
Drunk and provocative; argues about the war and throws a glass at Markovitch, later apologizes.
Part II: Lawrence
Nina's lover; his elopement with Nina is a pivotal event.
V
Seen standing in the doorway of the Cave de la Grave with an exalted, bewildered expression, like a ghost warning the narrator.
VIII
Referenced in Durward's thoughts as a source of revolutionary eloquence.
XI
Seen by Markovitch as a transformed, powerful orator addressing a crowd of soldiers.
XII
Briefly mentioned as resembling a young student in Nina's story.
IV
Grogoff is arrogant and self-satisfied, refusing to marry Nina and claiming she will assist him in his revolutionary work.
VI
Nina runs away with him; Vera distrusts him and knows Nina does not love him.
XIV
Spotted by the narrator at the meeting, listening with a contemptuous sneer.
XV
Nina's captor; Bohun sneaks into his flat while Grogoff is out with Lenin.
XVI
Appears in the narrator's dream, along with others, as part of the surreal background.

Chapter companion notes

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See Boris Nicolaievitch Grogoff in ii

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