The Foundation Pit

Main Characters and Their Development

• Voshchev — the main character, a worker searching for the meaning of life and justice. At the beginning of the book, he is fired from a factory for his slowness and contemplations. He joins a group of workers digging the foundation pit for the future proletarian house. Voshchev constantly reflects on the meaning of life and justice, trying to find truth in the surrounding world. His internal conflict and search for meaning make him the central figure in the book.
• Chiklin — one of the workers who becomes Voshchev's friend. He is silent and hardworking, yet deeply feels the injustice of the world around him. Chiklin cares for the orphan Nastya, showcasing his kindness and humanity. His development is tied to his relationship with Nastya and his pursuit of justice.
• Nastya — a little orphan girl found and taken under the care of Chiklin. She symbolizes the future and hope for the workers. Nastya falls ill and eventually dies, causing deep sorrow among all the workers and highlighting the tragedy of their situation.
• Zhachev — a legless invalid who works alongside the other workers. He is cynical and often expresses his thoughts sarcastically. Zhachev represents a person who has lost faith in a bright future and has become embittered with the world.
• Safronov — the foreman of the workers, who strives to fulfill the plan and believes in a bright future. He embodies the typical Soviet person, believing in the ideals of communism and willing to work towards their achievement.
• Prushevsky — the engineer responsible for the construction of the foundation pit. He is an educated and intelligent man, but also experiences an internal crisis and doubts about the correctness of the chosen path. His development is linked to his reflections on the meaning of life and the role of the individual in society.