The Double

Main Characters and Their Development

• Yakov Petrovich Golyadkin - the main character of the story, a minor civil servant who suffers from insecurity and social isolation. At the beginning of the book, he tries to integrate into society and earn the respect of his colleagues, but his efforts lead to the opposite result. The appearance of his double, who begins to take his place in society, leads Golyadkin to complete ruin and madness. His development in the book shows the gradual destruction of his personality and psyche under the pressure of external circumstances and internal conflict.
• Golyadkin's Double - a mysterious character who is outwardly identical to the main character but exhibits more confident and successful behavior. He quickly wins the sympathies of those around him and takes Golyadkin's place in society. His appearance and actions intensify the main character's internal conflict, highlighting his weaknesses and insecurities. The double symbolizes Golyadkin's internal fears and insecurities, which ultimately lead to his downfall.