The Crocodile

Main Characters and Their Development

• Ivan Matveich — the main character, a civil servant who is swallowed by a crocodile at the beginning of the story. Inside the crocodile, he begins to reflect on his life, career, and the society he lives in. His development involves seeing the world from a new perspective and reevaluating his values while in an unusual situation.
• Elena Ivanovna — Ivan Matveich's wife, who is initially concerned about her husband's fate but then starts to use his unusual situation to draw attention to herself. She symbolizes frivolity and selfishness, as she is more interested in her own gain than her husband's fate.
• Ivan Matveich's friend — the narrator, who tries to help Ivan Matveich escape from the crocodile. He represents a rational and logical person who faces the absurdity of the situation and bureaucratic obstacles. His development involves realizing the powerlessness against the absurdity and injustice of society.