Childhood

Main Characters and Their Development

• Nikolai Irtenev - the main character and narrator, a boy from a noble family, through whose perception and feelings the world of childhood is revealed, along with his inner world and development from a naive child to a more aware adolescent.
• Nikolai's Mother - a gentle and loving woman who has a profound influence on Nikolai; her death becomes a significant shock and an important stage in his maturation.
• Nikolai's Father - a strict and demanding man who, despite his sternness, cares about his son's future and upbringing.
• Karl Ivanovich - Nikolai's German tutor, who, despite his outward strictness and pedantry, genuinely loves and cares for his students.
• Prince Ivan Ivanovich - Nikolai's uncle, who embodies the image of a worldly man; his influence helps Nikolai understand some aspects of adult life.