# Peter Ivanovitch — Under Western Eyes character guide

> Peter Ivanovitch in Under Western Eyes by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Ivanovitch, Peter, the great Peter Ivanovitch

**First appearance:** 0007-part-ii-i

## Snapshot

The celebrated revolutionary author and lion of the Geneva émigré set, whose fame rests on legend, self-regard, and a carefully managed mystique.

## Who they are

Peter Ivanovitch is the great man of the Russian exile colony, a celebrity whose reputation for suffering and eloquence has made him an object of reverence and quiet mockery alike. He surrounds himself with devoted women and theatrical gestures, and his vanity is as large as his legend. When Natalia Haldin comes seeking a certain Razumov's address, his circle becomes the stage on which the émigrés' rivalries and illusions play out.

## Relationships

### [Razumov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/characters/razumov)

_professional_

Peter Ivanovitch, a revolutionary leader, mentors and manipulates Razumov as a useful agent.

### [Miss Haldin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/characters/miss_haldin)

_social_

Miss Haldin seeks Peter Ivanovitch's help in Geneva, but he treats her with condescending indifference.

### [Madame de S](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/characters/madame_de_s)

_romantic_

Madame de S and Peter Ivanovitch have a manipulative, co-dependent romantic and political alliance.

### [Razumov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/characters/razumov)

_professional_

Peter Ivanovitch, a revolutionary leader, mentors and manipulates Razumov as a useful agent.

### [Miss Haldin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/characters/miss_haldin)

_social_

Miss Haldin seeks Peter Ivanovitch's help in Geneva, but he treats her with condescending indifference.

### [Razumov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/characters/razumov)

_professional_

Peter Ivanovitch, a revolutionary leader, mentors and manipulates Razumov as a useful agent.

### [Madame de S](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/characters/madame_de_s)

_romantic_

Madame de S and Peter Ivanovitch have a manipulative, co-dependent romantic and political alliance.

## In the story

### [Author's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/chapters/author-s-note)

Described as one of the 'apes of a sinister jungle,' treated as his grimaces deserve.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/chapters/part-ii-ii)

Visits Miss Haldin to urge her to become a fanatic for the cause, extols Madame de S——'s salon, and mentions a new arrival from Petersburg.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/chapters/part-ii-iii)

Visited Miss Haldin earlier; mentioned as a revolutionary feminist and familiar guest of Madame de S.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/chapters/part-ii-iv)

The great feminist is described as having made a shameful scene over eggs, abusing the lady companion in front of strangers.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/chapters/part-ii-v)

Mentioned as a suspect figure and feminist author; Razumov is astonished that the narrator suspects him.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/chapters/part-iii-i)

Probes Razumov's character, praises him as extraordinary, and hints at a secret project; introduces Razumov to Madame de S—— with a boastful tone.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/chapters/part-iii-ii)

Waits behind spectacles to read Razumov, seizes his hands, and instructs him to bring Nathalie Haldin.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/chapters/part-iii-iii)

Peter Ivanovitch is referenced as the one who telegraphed Sophia to come vouch for Yakovlitch, and his feminism is mentioned by Razumov.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/chapters/part-iv-ii)

Mentioned as the person who might know Razumov's address; the narrator and Natalia go to his hotel to find him.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/chapters/part-iv-v)

Has united himself to a peasant girl; described as an inspired man by Sophia Antonovna.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/characters/peter_ivanovitch
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/under_western_eyes_se/characters