Richard Vanderwhile Character Analysis in A Gentleman in Moscow

an American aide-de-camp of a general who stays in the Metropol in the mid-1940s. In the 1950s, Richard starts to gather intelligence on Russian politics, and asks for the Count’s help in doing so. Richard also becomes crucial in helping Sofia seek asylum in America when she escapes the Moscow Conservatory Orchestra while on tour in Paris.

Richard Vanderwhile Quotes in A Gentleman in Moscow

The A Gentleman in Moscow quotes below are all either spoken by Richard Vanderwhile or refer to Richard Vanderwhile. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Imprisonment, Freedom, and Purpose Theme Icon

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Random House edition of A Gentleman in Moscow published in 2016.

At that moment, it somehow seemed to the Count that no one was out of place; that every little thing happening was part of some master plan; and that within the context of that plan, he was meant to sit in the chair between the potted palms and wait.

Related Characters: , , ,

Page Number and Citation: 439

Explanation and Analysis:

Richard Vanderwhile Character Timeline in A Gentleman in Moscow

The timeline below shows where the character Richard Vanderwhile appears in A Gentleman in Moscow. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...underwear was revealed. A woman fainted at the sight. The general’s aide-de-camp (later introduced as Richard Vanderwhile), who was standing next to the Count, commented on how much he loves the... (full context)

...and Osip say goodnight, the Count returns to the Shalyapin, where the American general’s aide-de-camp, Richard, is telling the tale of the goose incident to a raucous group of journalists. When... (full context)

The Count gets a drink, but to his surprise, also sees Richard at the bar. When the Count asks why he didn’t join the group, Richard says... (full context)

...Russia’s disappearing history, and Osip’s argument that brushing the past aside is necessary for progress. Richard argues that both Mishka and Osip are very smart, but that they both are missing... (full context)

The Count leaves the bar after two more drinks with Richard and sees Sofia reading in the lobby. He walks through calmly, but sprints up the... (full context)

...the note that is attached to it and sees that it is a gift from Richard. (full context)

That evening, the Count gets a drink with Richard and explains how Sofia came to learn piano. She had taught herself to play a... (full context)

Richard is now attached to the State Department in America and usually stays at the embassy,... (full context)

Richard comments that he can’t believe it’s the conductor from the Piazza who is teaching Sofia,... (full context)

...stood on the parapet. He follows the professor into the sitting room, where he finds Richard, to his surprise. Richard explains that he wanted to speak with the Count in private... (full context)

Bolshevism and Class Struggle Theme Icon

Richard then explains that relations between America and Russia have been less than ideal after the... (full context)

Richard asks the Count if he is willing to keep an eye on political events at... (full context)

Later in the evening, the Count lies in Anna’s bed, debating what he and Richard had spoken about. The Count says that if the Former (opening the city doors) is... (full context)

...officials in the government to sell vending machines in Russia. The man reminds him of Richard, particularly when he sees the man wave at a certain eminent professor. (full context)

...at first, until the Count clarifies that he has a letter he needs delivered to Richard in Paris, thinking that Webster might know him. He and Webster then share two more... (full context)

Richard Vanderwhile and his wife, Mrs. Vanderwhile, sit in his apartment after returning from a dinner.... (full context)

Richard suggests that Sofia have some food, and Mrs. Vanderwhile goes in search of some clothes... (full context)

...takes off her knapsack and empties it of her belongings, handing the empty bag to Richard. She instructs him to cut the seam that has been sewn into it, and in... (full context)

Richard smiles at the description, but also notices another letter from the Count that arrived on... (full context)