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What Is to Be Done? · Character

Nástenka

A young woman whose story of love and sacrifice is told within the narrative.

minor

Also known as XV Nástenka

First appearance: XIV: Nástenka’s Story

Nástenka shows up with force in XIII. The page is where that presence becomes real.

A consumptive girl who works at the cooperative; she joyfully reunites with Kirsánof, calling him 'Sasha'.
In the storyXIIIOpen this moment free

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

In XIII: A consumptive girl who works at the cooperative; she joyfully reunites with Kirsánof, calling him 'Sasha'. Later, in XIV: Nástenka’s Story: Confesses her past as a 'bad girl' and shares her story of redemption…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Nástenka sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Nástenka in XIV: Nástenka’s Story

Character Web

9 connections

A slice of how Nástenka sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

GOGogolAMAleksandr Matv…VPViéra PavlovnaBBPNProfessor N.NÁNástenka

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Extended minor characters
  • Central progressive circle
  • Protagonist

+4 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

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

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

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

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

Nástenka appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Nástenka unlock in the free preview.

See Nástenka in XIV: Nástenka’s Story
Who is Nástenka in What Is to Be Done??