Under Western Eyes: Analysis of Major Characters
"Under Western Eyes" is a novel by Joseph Conrad that explores themes of betrayal, revolution, and the complexities of political ideologies through its major characters. The protagonist, Kirylo Sidorovich Razumov, is an idealistic student who becomes embroiled in a web of revolutionary activities after he betrays his acquaintance, Victor Haldin, who has committed murder in the name of rebellion. This act of betrayal leads to Razumov's transformation from a mere student to a police spy in Geneva, where he navigates the dangerous landscape of revolutionary fervor.
Supporting characters include Nathalie Haldin, Haldin’s sister, who is drawn to humanitarian efforts, and Peter Ivanovitch, a leader among the revolutionists advocating for women's rights. The narrative also introduces the tragic figure of Ziemianitch, a cab driver haunted by guilt, and Tekla, who tends to Razumov after he suffers a devastating fate due to his choices. Other characters, such as the ruthless Nikita and the enigmatic Prince K———, contribute to the novel's rich tapestry, revealing the interplay of personal motives and broader political movements. Through the intertwining lives of these characters, Conrad delves into the moral ambiguities of loyalty and the consequences of ideological convictions, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of revolution and its impact on human relationships.
Under Western Eyes: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Joseph Conrad
First published: 1911
Genre: Novel
Locale: St. Petersburg, Russia, and Geneva, Switzerland
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: Early twentieth century
Kirylo Sidorovich Razumov (kih-RIH-loh sih-DOH-roh-vihch rah-ZEW-mov), an idealist and a student at St. Petersburg University. His background is strange and unknown; he has a mysterious benefactor but no family. Returning to his rooms one night, he finds Victor Haldin, a fellow student and casual acquaintance, who confesses that he has assassinated a minister of state. Haldin confidently asks Razumov's help in making his escape, and Razumov promises it. Instead, he secretly betrays the assassin to the police. Because his name is now linked with Haldin's, the dead man's friends accept Razumov as a revolutionary. He is sent to Geneva as a police spy to report on the activities of the revolutionists there. He falls in love with Haldin's sister. After he has received information that makes him safe from detection, he confesses his true role to Miss Haldin and to the revolutionists, who beat him and destroy his hearing. Deaf, he is struck by a tram car that he cannot hear. Crippled for the rest of his life, he is cared for by a compassionate young woman named Tekla.
Victor Haldin, the ardent young revolutionist who kills the minister of state with a bomb. Betrayed by Razumov, he is captured and executed.
Ziemianitch (zeh-MYAH-nihch), the cab driver who was to carry Haldin to safety. He is drunk when Razumov finds him. Later, he hangs himself, supposedly in remorse for having betrayed Haldin.
Nathalie Haldin, the sister of the dead revolutionist. Although she remains free of revolutionary activities, she has a mystical vision of human concord. Later, she returns to Russia to devote herself to social work.
Mrs. Haldin, Victor and Nathalie's mother. Grief over the loss of her son and lack of information as to what happened to him hasten her death.
Peter Ivanovitch (PYOH-tr ee-VAH-noh-vihch), a Russian refugee who has escaped from Siberia and made his way to Geneva. An author and an advocate of feminism for the purpose of elevating humanity, he becomes the leader of the revolutionists and a companion to Madame de S———.
Tekla, the compassionate former secretary of Ivanovitch. Because she feels a compulsion to help the punished and the broken, she cares for Razumov after he is crippled.
Sophia Antonovna, an older, dedicated, and trusted revolutionary who is called to Geneva to verify an identity.
Nikita (nih-KIH-tah), an anarchist, a man so grotesque as to set town dogs barking. He is a famed killer of gendarmes and police agents. He brutalizes Razumov and destroys his hearing after Razumov makes his confession of betrayal. Later, Nikita is revealed as a police informer.
Yakovlitch (YAH-kohv-lihch), a revolutionist whose missions take him to America. He and Sophia Antonovna were once lovers.
Laspara (lah-SPAH-rah), a subversive journalist suspected of complicity in revolutionary plots.
Madame de S———, a legendary figure who presides over a “revolutionary salon.”
Prince K———, Razumov's mysterious benefactor, an influential czarist official and Razumov's unacknowledged father.
General T———, the protector of autocracy, to whom Razumov first reports when he decides to betray Haldin to the police.
Councilor Mikulin (mih-KUH-lihn), the government official who sends Razumov to Geneva as a police spy.
Father Zosim (ZOH-sihm), the priest-democrat who gives Razumov a letter of introduction to Peter Ivanovitch.
The tall student, a hungry fellow who works on the fringes of the revolution. He suspects that Razumov was Haldin's accomplice.
Mad Cap Costia, a rich, reckless student, impressed by Razumov's reputation, who wishes to help him.
The narrator, an Englishman and an old language teacher to whom Miss Haldin entrusted Razumov's diary, which supplied the details of the story.