# Sergei Ivanovich Platonov — Yama character guide

> Sergei Ivanovich Platonov in Yama by Aleksandr Kuprin.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Sergei Ivanovich, Sergei

**First appearance:** 0005-yama

## Who they are

A journalist who prefers unloading watermelons at the port to writing newspaper filler, and who watches the brothel world with a vagabond's clear eye.

## In the story

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/yama_se/chapters/part-i-x)

Delivers a lengthy critique of literature's failure to portray prostitution truthfully, using examples of Simeon and Anna Markovna.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/yama_se/chapters/part-i-xi)

Remains calm under Sobashnikov's insults, warns him, and later brings Pasha to rest.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/yama_se/chapters/part-i-xii)

Delivers a long, impassioned monologue about the truthfulness of prostitutes versus the hypocrisy of society, defending his presence in the brothel as a fascination with stark reality.

### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/yama_se/chapters/part-i-xiii)

The reporter who debates Likhonin, expressing skepticism about the rescue project and offering a cynical view of prostitution's persistence.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/yama_se/chapters/part-ii-xii)

Mentioned as the 'equivocal reasoner' who Likhonin blames for his chivalrous outburst.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/yama_se/chapters/part-iii-iv)

Listens to Jennka's confession, offers a cynical alternative to suicide, but admits he cannot resolve her moral dilemma.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/yama_se/characters/platonov
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/yama_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/yama_se/characters