The First Circle

Main Characters and Their Development

• Gleb Nerzhin - the main character, a former engineer imprisoned in the sharashka. His development involves moral and spiritual resistance to the system, the search for truth, and the preservation of human dignity.
• Lev Rubin - a former professor, also imprisoned in the sharashka. His development is linked to the internal struggle between scientific honesty and the need to survive under repressive conditions.
• Innokenty Volodin - a diplomat who takes a desperate step to warn Western allies about Soviet plans. His development shows the internal conflict between duty to the country and moral principles.
• Dmitry Sologdin - a talented engineer imprisoned in the sharashka. His development is associated with the rejection of compromises and the pursuit of freedom despite the harsh conditions of imprisonment.
• Nadezhda Nerzhina - Gleb Nerzhin's wife, who remains free. Her development shows resilience and loyalty, as well as the difficulties of life under constant fear and uncertainty.