Uncle Vanya Characters

Ivan Petrovich Voynitsky is Sonya’s uncle: the titular “Uncle Vanya.” He’s the son of Mariya Vasilyevna, the mother of Professor Serebryakov’s late first wife. Voynitsky and Sonya have admired Serebryakov and managed his estate… read analysis of Voynitsky (“Uncle Vanya”)

Sofia Serebryakova (usually called Sonya) is Voynitsky’s niece and Serebryakov’s daughter by his first marriage. Sonya and Voynitsky take care of Professor Serebryakov’s country estate while the professor normally lives elsewhere. Complications arise… read analysis of Sonya/Sofia Serebryakova

Aleksandr Serebryakov is an elderly, retired professor who’s recently come to live at his country estate with his second wife Yelena. Serebryakov usually lives in the city, and his arrival at the country house… read analysis of Serebryakov

Helena Serebryakova (referred to as Yelena) is Professor Serebryakov’s second wife. She and her husband have recently moved into Serebryakov’s estate in the country, where their presence disrupts the lives of the other characters who… read analysis of Yelena/Helena Serebryakova

Ilya Ilych Telegin (nicknamed Waffle) is a poor landowner who’s allowed to live on Professor Serebryakov’s country estate. He’s Sonya’s godfather and a respected family friend. Like the other secondary characters, Telegin is generally satisfied… read analysis of Telegin

Marina Timofeevna is the elderly nurse and housekeeper of Professor Serebryakov’s country estate. She has a kind and motherly personality, often comforting and coddling Sonya and the professor in their time of need. However, Marina… read analysis of Marina

Mariya Vasilyevna Voynitskaya is the mother of both Voynitsky and Professor Serebryakov’s late first wife. She’s a studious older woman, constantly reading and writing as she lives on Serebryakov’s country estate. Unlike her son, Mariya… read analysis of Mariya Vasilyevna