The Region of Dead Calm

Characters

• Vladímir Sergyéitch Astákhoff — a young landowner: A reserved, indecisive protagonist visiting the district on estate business.
• Nadézhda Alexyéevna Véretyeff — Astákhoff's neighbour: A lively, independent young woman at the centre of the story's emotional tension.
• Piótr Alexyéitch Véretyeff — Nadézhda's brother: A gifted, self-destructive neighbour whose force of character throws Astákhoff's weakness into relief.
• Mikhaíl Nikoláitch Ipátoff — a landowner and neighbour: A hospitable provincial host who introduces Astákhoff to local society.
• Márya Pávlovna — Ipátoff's sister-in-law: A silent, proud young woman whose hidden love for Véretyeff ends with her death in the pond.
• Iván Ílitch Bodryakóff — a neighbouring landowner nicknamed “The Folding Soul”: A wordless guest who agrees to absolutely everything; Astákhoff's second in the duel that never happens.
• Egór Kapítonitch — a neighbouring landowner: A short, plump old man endlessly complaining of his severe wife and of being “aged before his time.”
• Steltchínsky — a young official courting Nadézhda: A jealous dancer who challenges Astákhoff over a mazurka and in the end marries Nadézhda.
• Matryóna Márkovna — Egór Kapítonitch's wife: Never appears on the page yet rules her husband from off-stage; she dies of cholera.
• Gavríla Stepánitch Akílin — a wealthy neighbouring landowner: The name-day host at whose ball Astákhoff first collides with Steltchínsky.
• Flitch — a retired captain of cavalry: The club gossip from whom Astákhoff learns of Nadézhda's marriage and her brother's ruin.