The Gloomy River

Main Characters and Their Development

• Prokhor Gromov - the main character of the novel, son of merchant Pyotr Gromov. At the beginning of the book, he appears as a young, ambitious, and energetic man striving for wealth and power. As the plot develops, his character changes: he becomes cruel, unscrupulous, and greedy, leading to tragic consequences for himself and his loved ones.
• Pyotr Gromov - Prokhor's father, a merchant and founder of the family business. He embodies the image of an old, honest, and hardworking entrepreneur who seeks to pass on his values and business to his son. However, his methods and views on life conflict with Prokhor's ambitions.
• Anfisa Gromova - Prokhor's mother, wife of Pyotr Gromov. She embodies traditional family values and care for the home. Her role in the novel is to support her husband and son, although she often finds herself overshadowed by their ambitions and conflicts.
• Nadezhda Gromova - Prokhor's sister, who differs from her brother with her kindness and gentleness. She seeks harmony and happiness, but her fate is also influenced by Prokhor's ambitions and cruelty.
• Elizaveta Kozyreva - Prokhor's beloved, who becomes his wife. At the beginning of the novel, she appears as a naive and romantic girl, but over time her character changes under the influence of Prokhor's cruelty and greed. She becomes more hardened and cynical, leading to tragic consequences.