The Pit

Main Characters and Their Development

• Zhenya — A young girl working in the brothel. She is characterized by kindness and sincerity, despite the cruelty and cynicism surrounding her. Throughout the book, Zhenya endures many trials but retains her humanity and desire for a better life.
• Likhonin — A student who decides to rescue Zhenya from the brothel. He genuinely wants to help her but is confronted with a reality more complex than he anticipated. His development illustrates how good intentions can be shattered by harsh realities.
• Kleopatra Petrovna — The madam of the brothel. She is a tough and pragmatic woman who sees her charges merely as a source of income. Her character reveals the cynicism and brutality of the world she inhabits.
• Sonya — One of the girls working in the brothel. She is cynical and disillusioned with life, yet deep down, she holds onto dreams of a better future. Her development shows how harsh conditions can break a person but not completely extinguish their hopes.
• Tamara — Another girl from the brothel. She is marked by her cruelty and aggressiveness, which serve as her defense against the world. Her character demonstrates how people can adapt to harsh conditions by becoming part of the cruelty.