What Is to Be Done? · Character

Masha

Vera's loyal maid and assistant in her sewing cooperative.

minor

Also known as Poor Masha, the indefatigable Masha

First appearance: part ii first love and legal marriage

Masha shows up with force in II: The First Consequences of the Fool’s Deed. The page is where that presence becomes real.

The young servant girl who brings the letter to Vera and is mentioned in relation to her upcoming wedding.

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In II: The First Consequences of the Fool’s Deed: The young servant girl who brings the letter to Vera and is mentioned in relation to her upcoming wedding. Later, in Chapter VI: Implied as one of the seamstresses…

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See Masha in part ii first love and legal marriage

Character Web

23 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

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Extended minor characters

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This passage marks the dramatic climax because the speaker articulates a decisive psychological reversal: she…

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In the story

Masha appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II: The First Consequences of the Fool’s Deed
The young servant girl who brings the letter to Vera and is mentioned in relation to her upcoming wedding.
Chapter VI
Implied as one of the seamstresses involved in the picnic preparations and activities.
XX
Mentioned as the servant who might notice Vera's move to her husband's room.
XXIV
Delivers Lopukhóf's note to Kirsánov.
XXVI
Takes notes from Lopukhóf to invite friends and is mentioned as having been sent on errands.
XXVII
Assists with packing the valises and is present during the departure preparations.
XXIX: An Extraordinary Man
Sent by Viéra Pavlovna to fetch Mrs. Mertsálova and Rachel, leaves the dacha for errands.
Rakhmétov's Visit and the Letter
Mentioned in Rakhmétov's criticism of Vera's heartlessness.
XXXI: A Colloquy with the Sapient Reader, and His Banishment
Mentioned as a minor character who brought a letter at the beginning of the story, but not an important character.
II
Vera's maid who brought the letter about Lopukhov's suicide and later forgot to send Vera's reply.
V
Acts as a calming presence, interrupting Vera's anxious thoughts and managing household tasks.

Chapter companion notes

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See Masha in part ii first love and legal marriage

See Masha in II: The First Consequences of the Fool’s Deed