# Nástenka — What Is to Be Done? character guide

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

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** XV Nástenka

**First appearance:** 0055-xiv-n-stenka-s-story

## Who they are

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

## In the story

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xiii)

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

### [XIV: Nástenka’s Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xiv-n-stenka-s-story)

Confesses her past as a 'bad girl' and shares her story of redemption through Sáshenka's love.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xv)

Tells her story to Vera; suffers from consumption, lives with Kirsánof for two years, then works as a chambermaid and seamstress; reunited with Kirsánof in her final month.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xvi)

Nástenka is remembered as the woman Kirsánof once loved, but his feelings have faded to pity and recollection.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/characters/nastenka
- 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