Yegorushka Knyazev

Yegorushka Knyazev, affectionately known as Georgie, is a young boy embarking on a transformative journey to his first boarding school. Raised by his widowed mother, Yegorushka has lived a somewhat sheltered life in a provincial town, shielded from the complexities of the outside world. His travels across the expansive Russian steppe significantly broaden his understanding of both human nature and the world, despite the frequent fear and revulsion these experiences evoke in him. Possessing a kind heart, Yegorushka empathizes deeply with the carters he meets, feeling their struggles acutely. Despite this empathy, he often finds the lengthy journey tedious and experiences a sense of loneliness stemming from his separation from his mother.

Ivan Kuzmichov

Ivan Kuzmichov, Yegorushka’s uncle, is a provincial merchant characterized by his perpetual focus on business matters. He exudes an air reminiscent of a civil servant and maintains a complicated relationship with his nephew. While there is affection for Yegorushka, Kuzmichov’s pragmatic nature leaves little room for understanding the boy's sensitivities. His primary objective is to secure a favorable price for his wool, with escorting Yegorushka to school being a secondary, albeit bothersome, task. Nonetheless, he grudgingly acknowledges that Yegorushka’s education will be a source of familial pride.

Father Christopher Siriysky

Father Christopher Siriysky, a Russian Orthodox priest and Yegorushka’s parish priest, presents a gentle and kindly demeanor. His optimistic worldview offers a comforting contrast to Kuzmichov’s hard practicality. As a father himself, he empathizes with Yegorushka’s homesickness and strives to make the boy’s journey more bearable. Father Christopher finds genuine joy in the sights of the steppe, distinguishing him as the only character to do so. His pride lies in his learning, though much of it has faded with age. He forms an unexpected, yet profound, bond with Yegorushka, providing him guidance and comfort.

Panteley

Panteley, an elderly carter, emerges as the unofficial leader of the wagon train that Yegorushka joins when his uncle is compelled to hasten. His age and wisdom earn him this respected position among the carters. Panteley takes Yegorushka under his wing, sharing tales of the other carters and revealing the steppe's hidden marvels. He acts as a surrogate to Father Christopher for Yegorushka; both Panteley and Father Christopher are saintly figures, calm and worldly-wise, with even their appearances being notably similar.

Yemelyan

Yemelyan, a carter and former singer, is a poignant character, having lost his once beautiful singing voice, which he attributes to bathing in a cold river. This loss renders him a figure of melancholy. Despite his frequent soft singing, his voice does not recover, but he maintains his religious devotion, a remnant of his past as a professional chorister.

Dymov

Dymov, a young carter known for his roughness, sociability, and natural leadership, is also a source of disruption. His boredom leads him to torment Yemelyan and provoke the other carters. His abrasive behavior culminates in a confrontation with Yegorushka, marking him as both a troublemaker and a catalyst for conflict within the group.

Moses

Moses is depicted as a peasant innkeeper, driven by equal measures of greed and genuine hospitality. His reactions oscillate between excitement at the arrival of guests like Yegorushka, his uncle, and Father Christopher, and frustration over his brother Solomon's antics. Moses is portrayed with traits reflective of 19th-century stereotypes of Jewish merchants, such as his dialect, sycophancy, and thrift.

Solomon

Solomon, Moses’ brother, embodies a sardonic and bitter nature, perceived by others as being mad. He shows little respect for social hierarchies or familial bonds, maintaining a distance from his brother. His enigmatic role and erratic behavior hint at a reaction to the...