# Masha — What Is to Be Done? character guide

> Masha in What Is to Be Done? by Nikolay Chernyshevsky.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Poor Masha, the indefatigable Masha

**First appearance:** 0016-part-ii-first-love-and-legal-marriage

## Who they are

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

## In the story

### [II: The First Consequences of the Fool’s Deed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/vi)

Implied as one of the seamstresses involved in the picnic preparations and activities.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xx)

Mentioned as the servant who might notice Vera's move to her husband's room.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xxiv)

Delivers Lopukhóf's note to Kirsánov.

### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xxvi)

Takes notes from Lopukhóf to invite friends and is mentioned as having been sent on errands.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xxvii)

Assists with packing the valises and is present during the departure preparations.

### [XXIX: An Extraordinary Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xxx)

Mentioned in Rakhmétov's criticism of Vera's heartlessness.

### [XXXI: A Colloquy with the Sapient Reader, and His Banishment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/ii)

Vera's maid who brought the letter about Lopukhov's suicide and later forgot to send Vera's reply.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/v)

Acts as a calming presence, interrupting Vera's anxious thoughts and managing household tasks.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/masha
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters