Light Breathing

Main Characters and Their Development

• Olya Meshcherskaya - the main character of the story, a young schoolgirl who draws attention with her beauty and lightness. She leads a carefree and free-spirited life, which ultimately leads to a tragic end. Olya is killed by an officer with whom she had an affair. Her death symbolizes the loss of lightness and innocence.
• The Officer - the man who kills Olya Meshcherskaya. He is in love with her and cannot come to terms with her carefree attitude towards life and him. His action underscores the tragedy and fatality of Olya's fate.
• The Class Mistress - a teacher at the school who often visits Olya's grave after her death. She admired Olya during her life and cannot forget her even after her death. The class mistress symbolizes memory and regret over lost youth and beauty.