# Pólozof — What Is to Be Done? character guide

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

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** IX Pólozof

**First appearance:** 0088-xv-vi-ra-pavlovna-s-fourth-dream

## Who they are

Katerina's father, a wealthy retired businessman.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/i)

Retired cavalry captain who built and lost a fortune; now managing a stearine factory and seeking to sell it.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/ii)

Kátya's father, who indulges her freedom and rejects strict governesses, and whose immense wealth attracts many suitors.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/iii)

Katerina's father, a millionaire who opposes the marriage and declares he would rather see his daughter die than marry the man she loves.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/iv)

Katerina's father; forbids her relationship with Sólovtsof, believing him to be a bad man, but remains unaware of the cause of her illness.

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

Stubborn father who refuses to allow his daughter to marry Sólovtsof.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/vi)

The stubborn father who is shocked into submission by the false consultation and becomes pliable under Kirsánof's advice.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/vii)

Katerina's father, who initially promised not to interfere and is falsely accused by Sólovtsof of intriguing against him.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/viii)

Katerina's father, whose failure brings mixed feelings of pity and relief.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/ix)

Anxious to sell the stearine factory he co-owned and managed; hosts Beaumont for dinner after long negotiations.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/x)

Mentioned as the host of the dinner where Beaumont tells his story.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xi)

Katerina's father; talks at length about his lost fortune and his hard work; tries to explain his daughter's melancholy as loss of confidence in men.

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

Reflects on Beaumont's suitability as a husband for his daughter, valuing money and brains over nobility.

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

Mentions his suspicion that Beaumont might propose to Katerina.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xviii)

Observes the conversations between his daughter and Beaumont, counts banknotes from the factory sale, and becomes accustomed to their unusual talk.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xxi)

Remains in the factory apartment, enjoys patriarchal status, hosts gatherings.

## Links

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