After the Ball

Main Characters and Their Development

• Ivan Vasilyevich – the main character of the story, a man with high moral principles. At the beginning of the story, he appears as a young, enamored, and impressionable person who admires the beauty and nobility of the colonel and his daughter Varenka. However, after witnessing the brutal punishment of a soldier, his perception of the world and people changes. He becomes disillusioned with those he considered ideals, and this event leaves a deep mark on his soul.
• The Colonel – Varenka's father, initially presented as a noble and respected man. At the ball, he seems like a kind and caring father, but later his cruel and ruthless side is revealed when he coldly oversees the punishment of a soldier. This contrast between his outward appearance and inner brutality becomes a key moment in the plot's development.
• Varenka – the colonel's daughter, the object of Ivan Vasilyevich's affection. She is portrayed as a beautiful and graceful young woman who enchants the main character at the ball. However, her character remains on the periphery of the plot, and her personality is not further developed, as the main focus is on Ivan Vasilyevich's internal conflict.