War and Peace characters Flashcards
Anna Pavlovna Scherer
A wealthy St. Petersburg society hostess and matchmaker for the Kuragin family, whose party in 1805 opens the novel.
Pierre Bezukhov
The large-bodied, ungainly, and socially awkward illegitimate son of an old Russian grandee. Educated abroad, returns to Russia as a misfit. His unexpected inheritance of a large fortune makes him socially desirable.
Andrew Bolkonski
The intelligent, disciplined, and ambitious son of the retired military commander Prince Bolkonski. Coldly analytical and resistant to flights of emotion.
Lise Bolkonskaya
Andrew Bolkonski’s angelic wife.
Prince Bolkonski
Andrew Bolkonski’s father, a stodgy and old-fashioned recluse who lives in the country after his retirement from the army and subsequent retreat from social life. The old prince, cynical about modern life, is stern and sometimes cruel toward his daughter Mary.
Mary Bolkonskaya
The lonely, plain, and long-suffering daughter of Prince Bolkonski. Cares for her father, enduring his cruel treatment with Christian forgiveness.
Mademoiselle Bourienne
The French companion of Princess Mary, who lives with her on the Bolkonski estate. Becomes the object of the old prince’s affections shortly before his death.
Julie Karagina
Princess Mary’s friend and pen pal. An heiress, lives in Moscow.
Count Ilya Rostov
A loving, friendly, and financially carefree nobleman who lives with his large family at Otradnoe, their estate south of Moscow. Piles up debts through luxurious living, eventually depriving his children of their inheritance.
Countess Natalya Rostova
Count Rostov’s wife. As neglectful of money matters as her husband, maintaining standards of luxury.
Natasha Rostova
The lively and irrepressible daughter of the Rostov family, who charms everyone she meets. Falls in love with a series of men.
Nicholas Rostov
The impetuous, eldest Rostov son, who joins the Russian forces in 1805 and spends much of the novel on the front. Accumulates gambling debts that become burdensome for his family.
Sonya Rostova
The humble cousin of Natasha and Nicholas, who lives with the Rostovs as a ward. She and Nicholas were childhood sweethearts.
Petya Rostov
The youngest Rostov son, who begs to join the Russian army. Close to Natasha and beloved by his mother.
Vera Rostova
The eldest Rostov daughter. Is a somewhat cold, unpleasant young woman.
Vasili Kuragin
An artificial and untrustworthy Russian nobleman, and a special friend of Anna Pavlovna. Continually tries to maneuver his children into lucrative marriages.
Anatole Kuragin
Vasili’s roguish and spendthrift son, who is on the hunt for a rich wife.
Helene Kuragina
Vasili’s cold, imperious, and beautiful daughter. Though known in social circles as a witty woman, is actually stupid and shallow.
Hippolyte Kuragin
The ugly and undistinguished brother of Helene and Anatole.
Princess Anna Mikhaylovna Drubetskaya
A woman from an illustrious old family who is nonetheless impoverished. Is dominated by thoughts of securing a good future for her son Boris. She extracts a promise from Vasili Kuragin that he will help Boris get an officer’s position in the army.
Boris Drubetskoy
Anna Mikhaylovna’s son, a poor but ambitious friend of Nicholas Rostov. Fights to establish a career for himself, using connections and his own intelligence and talents.
Dolokhov
A handsome Russian army officer and friend of Nicholas.
Denisov
A short, hairy, good-looking friend of Nicholas who accompanies him to Moscow on home leave and later falls for Sonya.
Speranski
A brilliant liberal advisor to the tsar. Attempts to reform and modernize the Russian state.
