Boris Pavlikovsky Character Analysis in The Goldfinch

Boris is the second most important character in the novel after Theo. He is a vivacious, unique, and in many ways comic character, though his friendship with Theo is one of the most important parts of the novel. Born to Polish and Ukrainian parents who were both alcoholics, Boris lost his mother as a child but does not claim to feel sadness about it. He also doesn’t seem to mind that his father, Mr. Pavlikovsky, is neglectful and beats him. Indeed, Boris has a remarkably tough, resilient attitude. He embraces life in a bold, reckless, full-throttle manner, encouraging Theo to drink, experiment with drugs, and shoplift. However, he is also a very kind, caring force in Theo’s life. He comforts Theo when he is having nightmares about the terrorist attack and stops him when he tries to put his suicidal thoughts into action. After Theo confesses to stealing The Goldfinch when he is blackout drunk, Boris steals it from him, replacing the painting with his own Civics Workbook (which means that Theo doesn’t find out about the theft until almost ten years later). After having early success as a teenage drug dealer, Boris starts a “business” in the criminal underworld, getting his start through using The Goldfinch as collateral. Despite Boris’ seemingly lose morals, he is actually a deeply ethical person who remains loyal to Theo even after they lose touch for near to a decade. When Boris finds Theo again, he insists on getting the painting back. In doing so, he inadvertently triggers one of the biggest recoveries of stolen art in history. This is comic because, despite being an intelligent person with expensive tastes, Boris has very little interest in art and other aspects of “high” culture.

Boris Pavlikovsky Quotes in The Goldfinch

The The Goldfinch quotes below are all either spoken by Boris Pavlikovsky or refer to Boris Pavlikovsky. 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:

Before Boris, I had borne my solitude stoically enough, without realizing quite how alone I was. And I suppose if either of us had lived in an even halfway normal household, with curfews and chores and adult supervision, we wouldn’t have become quite so inseparable, so fast, but almost from that day were together all the time, scrounging our meals and sharing what money we had.

Related Characters: Theo Decker (speaker), Boris Pavlikovsky

Page Number and Citation: 245

Explanation and Analysis:

Well, kid, guess what? I’ve been around the track a few times—I do know. He's going to end up in jail by the time he’s eighteen, that one, an dollars to doughnuts you’ll be right there with him.

Related Characters: Xandra (speaker), Theo Decker, Boris Pavlikovsky

Page Number and Citation: 368

Explanation and Analysis:

I did know. Because if possible to paint fakes that look like that? Las Vegas would be the most beautiful city in the history of earth! Anyway—so funny! Here I am, so proudly teaching you to steal apples and candy from the magazine, while you have stolen world masterpiece of art.

Related Characters: Boris Pavlikovsky (speaker), Theo Decker

Related Symbols: The Goldfinch, Las Vegas

Page Number and Citation: 556

Explanation and Analysis:

Because this is closed circle, you understand? Horst is right on the money about that. No one is going to buy this painting. Impossible to sell. But—black market, barter currency? Can be traded back and forth forever! Valuable, portable. Hotel rooms—going back and forth. Drugs, arms, girls, cash—whatever you like.

Related Characters: Boris Pavlikovsky (speaker), Theo Decker, Horst

Related Symbols: The Goldfinch

Page Number and Citation: 586

Explanation and Analysis:

Because—they are saying, ‘one of great art recoveries of history.’ And this is the part I hoped would please you—maybe not who knows, but I hoped. Museum masterworks, returned to public ownership! Stewardship of cultural treasure! Great joy! All the angels are singing! But it would never have happened, if not for you.

Related Characters: Boris Pavlikovsky (speaker), Theo Decker

Related Symbols: The Goldfinch

Page Number and Citation: 741

Explanation and Analysis:

Good doesn’t always follow from good deeds, nor bad deeds result from bad, does it? Even the wise and good cannot see the end of all actions. Scary idea!

Related Characters: Boris Pavlikovsky (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 745

Explanation and Analysis:

Boris Pavlikovsky Character Timeline in The Goldfinch

The timeline below shows where the character Boris Pavlikovsky appears in The Goldfinch. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...speaks Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish, but that he’s lost some fluency. He introduces himself as Boris, and says that although his mother was Polish, English is the easiest language for him... (full context)

Boris is nonchalant about his mother’s death, saying she was an alcoholic who has “been dead... (full context)

When Boris and Theo get off the school bus, they have to walk another 20 minutes to... (full context)

Boris takes Theo into his room, which is covered in old beer bottles, books, clothes, and... (full context)

Theo and Boris become very close very quickly, in part because neither of them have any family and... (full context)

Although Boris’ English-language skills are excellent, he always carries around a dictionary and writes down unusual words... (full context)

Theo suggests that they go to the strip to steal from drunk people. Boris calls Theo “Potter” and has an enormous collection of nicknames for Xandra’s dog Popper. Craving... (full context)

...in the world a person goes, the moon is always the same. He wakes up Boris and asks if the moon looks the same everywhere, and after some initial confusion about... (full context)

Boris explains that his father often spends weeks at a time camped out by the mine.... (full context)

Boris likes Xandra and is always polite to her. He says to Theo, “God, she’s hot,”... (full context)

...the Strip. Larry invites Theo, but Theo says he will be spending the holiday with Boris. Xandra asks if Theo wants her to bring home anything from work, and Theo says... (full context)

...that he is actually thin and “wiry.” It is a few days before Thanksgiving, and Boris and Theo walk home from school to find Mr. Pavlikovsky “hunched” at the kitchen table... (full context)

Later, Boris explains that he told his father that he would be staying at Theo’s house while... (full context)

On Thanksgiving, Boris and Theo eat potato chips, drink vodka, and watch the Macy’s parade on TV. Boris... (full context)

Boris won’t stop talking and Theo tells him to shut up; Boris throws a book at... (full context)

Boris and Mr. Pavlikovsky have a fight, which mostly consists of Mr. Pavlikovsky yelling at Boris,... (full context)

On the playground, Boris tells Theo that Mr. Pavlikovsky has killed people, and once beat a man to death... (full context)

...the pool, which Theo realizes too late is a bad idea. He gets out but Boris pulls him back in again, and this brings back traumatic memoires of being inside the... (full context)

Theo wakes up the next day in his bed with Boris. Both feel like they are about to be sick, and Boris goes to the bathroom... (full context)

Theo comments that what Mr. Pavlikovsky did to Boris was “crazy,” but Boris brushes it off, saying he “provoked him on purpose” in order... (full context)

Theo often has nightmares about the terrorist attack where he wakes up screaming, but fortunately Boris is never fazed by this. Sometimes, when Theo is having a nightmare, Boris puts Popper... (full context)

Boris is the only person in Las Vegas whom Theo tells about the way Audrey died.... (full context)

Boris and Larry enthusiastically discuss politics together, and although it makes Theo cringe to see Larry... (full context)

While Larry has barely noticed Boris moving in, Xandra is a different matter. It is almost Christmas, and the approaching holiday... (full context)

Neither Boris nor Theo has spent much time on the Strip before, and tonight, they are overwhelmed... (full context)

A year passes. Boris and Theo continue their routine of hanging out and getting drunk together, while Boris teaches... (full context)

Boris meets Kotku when he buys weed from her, and immediately announces to Theo that he... (full context)

Kotku actually already has a boyfriend, a 26 year old pool cleaner, but Boris insists that she wants to break up with him. Boris invites Theo to Kotku’s house,... (full context)

Many other girls have crushes on Boris, including the hottest girl in their year at school. However, Boris isn’t interested in them.... (full context)

...is also afraid of her. He is devastated by the impact on his friendship with Boris. He feels that there is no word to describe their bond. Now, he misses Boris... (full context)

...because they never talk about it, it mostly doesn’t even seem real. Now, Theo misses Boris even more because of the drinking and fights that have been escalating between Larry and... (full context)

...been extremely kind to Theo lately, taking him out for fancy dinners every week. Although Boris sometimes comes too, to Theo’s surprise he actually prefers it when it is just him... (full context)

Theo hasn’t seen Boris much lately, but a few weeks before Thanksgiving Boris comes over to Theo’s house and... (full context)

Although they are still passionately obsessed with each other, Boris and Kotku have started fighting constantly. Kotku’s boyfriend is no longer an issue, as he... (full context)

Back at Theo’s house, just after Boris leaves, the doorbell rings—the only time Theo has ever heard this happen since moving to... (full context)

...it, Mr. Silver insists that he answer. Theo is unsurprised to hear that it is Boris. He tells Boris he can’t talk right now, and when he returns, Mr. Silver suspects... (full context)

Half an hour later Boris returns, fuming that Kotku is not answering her phone. Theo tries to tell Boris about... (full context)

...Larry spots the end of the joint in the ashtray and asks where Theo and Boris have been buying weed. Without answering, Theo asks if everything is alright. Larry vaguely assures... (full context)

The next day at school, Kotku has a cut lip. When Theo asks Boris about it, Boris admits that he hit her, but says, “I didn’t want to […]... (full context)

At school, Boris and Theo discuss Boris hitting Kotku again, and Boris implies that he wanted to hurt... (full context)

...he hears Xandra downstairs and hastily hangs it back in the pillowcase behind his headboard. Boris has promised that he and Theo will take the remaining hits of acid soon, suggesting... (full context)

Later that night, Boris and Theo sit in the playground, waiting for the acid to kick in. Boris says... (full context)

Theo suddenly apologizes for not liking Kotku, and Boris admits that she doesn’t like Theo either. They discuss how it looks like they are... (full context)

Boris stays over at Theo’s house, and the next day they laze around, watching cartoons, drinking... (full context)

Once Silver and his men leave, Boris admits that he’s basically eaten nothing for two days. Although acid suppresses one’s appetite, he... (full context)

...of the day, Xandra’s friends come over, some of whom are surprisingly nice and “normal.” Boris shares his weed with everyone, and someone even manages to get Domino’s to deliver to... (full context)

...Xandra goes back and forth from seeming fine to collapsing into tears. At one point Boris tells Theo he has to go, because he promised Kotku he would meet her at... (full context)

With everyone gone and Xandra unconscious, Boris and Theo rifle through her things. They take $229 in cash from her wallet, and... (full context)

Boris observes that Xandra has about four or five eight balls, and suggests they keep one... (full context)

Boris repeats that he needs more time. He says he has something important to tell Theo,... (full context)

Boris offers Theo his phone to call a cab, then tells Theo to keep it. He... (full context)

...boys take cocaine, Theo starts to talk enthusiastically about their life in New York together. Boris grabs Theo and kisses him on the mouth, then kisses Popper. He points out that... (full context)

...too tense to go back to sleep, but eventually drifts off again. He has sent Boris several texts that have gone unanswered. When they get to Buffalo he sends another. (full context)

...running further into the park. He looks at his phone to find a text from Boris, saying he hopes Theo isn’t too angry and asking that he rings Xandra, who has... (full context)

...bad about showing up at Hobie’s house without any prior warning, especially because ever since Boris’ comment about Hobie being an “old poofter” Theo stopped responding to his letters. Now he... (full context)

...Xandra says she “ought to call the cops” on Theo, because she knows he and Boris stole from her. Theo replies that she stole Audrey’s earrings, but Xandra says Larry gave... (full context)

...He feels totally cut off from his life in Las Vegas, although he thinks about Boris all the time. With Boris, the present was the only thing that mattered, and Theo... (full context)

...at two years old. Theo befriended Grisha by showing off the Russian curse words that Boris taught him. One day, Grisha asks Theo to help move things into Hobie’s house from... (full context)

...walking away from the bar, he hears someone shout, “Potter!” Theo turns around to see Boris, taller and with a few more scars, standing before him. He is too shocked to... (full context)

Acting as if he’s silently been beckoned away, Boris asks if he can find Theo in an hour to talk. After speaking with Boris... (full context)

Boris explains that the twins in the photo are his kids. He says that he barely... (full context)

Boris says that after Theo left Las Vegas, he didn’t sell any of the cocaine they... (full context)

Backing up, Boris explains that he initially went to see Xandra after he’d been up on coke for... (full context)

By this point, Boris had a reputation for having a supply of high-quality cocaine, and soon everyone at school... (full context)

Theo explains that he is in the antiques business, and immediately Boris tries to hire him, promising to pay him twice what Hobie does. Theo, who is... (full context)

Although Hobie and Boris are happy to meet each other at last, Theo cuts the conversation short because he... (full context)

Gyuri drives them to a club in Queens, then looks after Popper while Boris and Theo go inside. The club is populated by Russians, and Boris—now very drunk—introduces Theo... (full context)

Theo notices a blue Star of David tattoo on Boris’ wrist, and asks what it’s about. Boris explains that after his drug dealing operation at... (full context)

Boris and Theo are both too wired to sleep, so they stay up talking and drinking... (full context)

Boris then repeats his offer for Theo to come work with him. He says that every... (full context)

Theo, bewildered, asks Boris to explain what he’s talking about. Boris says he begged Theo to stay just one... (full context)

Theo is in shock and can hardly speak. Boris tells him that he loses his memory when he drinks. He observes that when they... (full context)

At this point Theo tries to leave, but Boris stops him. He says that, particularly when Theo first started drinking vodka, he would cry... (full context)

When Theo still insists that Boris can’t have stolen The Goldfinch, Boris shows him a photo of the back of the... (full context)

Theo knows that, on one level, Boris has “done [him] a favor.” Now he cannot be blamed or punished for The Goldfinch’s... (full context)

Having initially forgotten about it, Theo realizes that he left Popper with Boris, and is now scheming about ways to get him back while also explaining his absence... (full context)

Boris says he was sure Theo knew he took the painting years ago. He adds that... (full context)

...get some time to himself. That evening, Theo is finishing up at the shop, and Boris arrives saying that he is going uptown to “talk to some people” (about The Goldfinch)... (full context)

...dinner. Theo catches sight of sleeping bags behind the tapestry, and notices a “homeless smell.” Boris refuses the dinner invitation, but he and Theo accept glasses of wine. Horst says he... (full context)

...and Theo says he was about the same age when he first saw it, too. Boris is impatient, complaining that listening to them is like watching “the education channel on television.”... (full context)

...looks unstable, with one sleeve rolled up. He drops to the floor. Commotion ensues, and Boris suggests to Theo that they leave. Regretfully, Horst says they will have to keep talking... (full context)

Boris explains that Horst always has a different crowd of young people hanging around him, usually... (full context)

Boris explains that The Goldfinch will never be sold, but it could remain within the underground... (full context)

Boris is late to another appointment, and thus drives off without dropping Theo home. Theo decides... (full context)

...text from Kitsey asking him to call her. As he is debating what to do, Boris arrives, and says he can only stay for a second but wants Theo to know... (full context)

Boris also says that earlier Horst found out Theo’s last name and wanted to tell him... (full context)

Boris then observes that Theo doesn’t love her “too much,” because otherwise he would be acting... (full context)

...to get himself a drink or any food. As the party clears out, he spies Boris in the distance with his arm around Pippa. Theo goes over to them, and Boris... (full context)

Boris jokes that Kitsey is too good for Theo, and Theo replies that many people think... (full context)

...lately. Theo then tells Hobie that he’s leaving. Hobie seems worried about him. Theo finds Boris, who is drinking a glass of champagne. He wants to say goodbye to Pippa, but... (full context)

Boris and Theo are picked up in a town car. The driver is not Gyuri but... (full context)

Theo and Boris’ flights depart from different terminals, so they say goodbye inside the car. Before getting on... (full context)

To Theo’s surprise, Boris orders in Dutch. The waiter brings sausage, bread, potatoes, sauerkraut, and beer. While he eats,... (full context)

Gyuri notices that Theo is not eating and tells him to do so, but Boris says, “Let him starve if he wants.” Boris then angrily tells Theo to forget all... (full context)

Boris explains that he originally planned to arrange a meeting at Theo’s hotel. Theo would pretend... (full context)

...his way back to the hotel. After having a shower he gets a call from Boris, who announces he is coming up to Theo’s room. Entering the room with Gyuri, Boris... (full context)

Boris says that he was worried Sacha would be at the meeting, but luckily Sacha doesn’t... (full context)

Boris explains that unfortunately, getting to the location of the meeting will require driving out of... (full context)

...Horst’s, but one that is far more profitable. He advises Theo not to say much. Boris hands Theo the bank draft and deposit slip, which are under the name of Farruco... (full context)

...meal he ate was takeout curry in Kitsey’s apartment two days ago. Seeing Theo stare, Boris assures him that after the deal, they will go out for a “really good dinner.”... (full context)

Boris explains that the reason why the men are being so shifty is that one of... (full context)

...while the younger man says they will regret this. Still pointing his gun at him, Boris tells the younger man to get on the floor. Obeying this command, the younger man... (full context)

...car starts laughing in relief, although Theo is still so scared he can hardly breathe. Boris explains that what just happened was “improvised.” The fact that the third man didn’t show... (full context)

Victor passes the package back to the Theo, and Boris starts to hum, “We wish you a merry Christmas.” Boris tells Theo that he is... (full context)

...men split up, promising to meet at a restaurant called Blake’s in an hour. As Boris and Theo are left alone, Boris asks to see The Goldfinch. He remarks that it... (full context)

Just as Boris and Theo are about to get in the car, an American voice behind them says,... (full context)

Holding The Goldfinch, Martin tells Frits to take Boris and Theo over to a shadowy corner of the garage. As Frits turns to Theo,... (full context)

Boris pulls Theo up, saying it’s all over and telling him, “You saved us.” Boris drags... (full context)

Having washed off the blood, Boris and Theo stumble back to the car and get in. Boris says they better not... (full context)

Realizing that Theo is referring to the shootout, Boris assures him that they will be fine. No one will be able to trace it... (full context)

When Theo hesitates, Boris impatiently tells him to get out. He advises Theo not to call him, but to... (full context)

Theo takes a tiny amount of the heroin Boris gave him and instantly feels blissful. When the doorbell rings, he answers it dreamily. The... (full context)

...buy essentials, including cleaning products for the stains that remain on his clothing. He recalls Boris saying they would only be gone for “a little while.” (full context)

...more articles, this time accompanied by a photo of Frits. Theo is desperate to see Boris. (full context)

After resisting contacting Boris for days, Theo sends him a text saying, “Where are you?” However, soon after his... (full context)

...like Larry, “dodging an scheming up until the very [last] moment.” He flushes the heroin Boris gave him down the toilet. Theo sees the suicide notes he wrote last night and... (full context)

...tried to stop him but couldn’t. Theo opens the door of his room to reveal Boris, “Rumpled, red-eyed, battered-looking.” Boris observes that Theo looks unwell, and asks why he hasn’t been... (full context)

Boris suggests that they order more champagne and coffee and invite Gyuri to join them. Theo... (full context)

Boris says that he and Gyuri have been in Frankfurt, and Theo asks if he has... (full context)

Theo tells Boris he doesn’t want the money. He shouts that he doesn’t care about the money, and... (full context)

Boris explains that he suspected The Goldfinch was being held in an apartment belonging to an... (full context)

Boris explains that The Goldfinch wasn’t the only stolen artwork at Sacha’s apartment. There were many... (full context)

Boris says he’s still not totally sure how Horst fits into all this, and that he... (full context)

Boris observes that Theo always had a rather black-and-white view of morality, but that this is... (full context)

Boris asks why Theo is in such a big hurry, and invites him to Antwerp to... (full context)

In Antwerp, Boris told Theo that despite everything—abandoning the engagement party, Everett—Theo could “have” either Kitsey or Pippa... (full context)

When they were in Antwerp, Boris and Theo discussed substance abuse. Boris admitted that he knew he was an alcoholic and... (full context)

The Goldfinch

Boris Pavlikovsky Character Analysis

Boris Pavlikovsky Quotes in The Goldfinch

Part 2, Chapter 5 Quotes

Part 2, Chapter 6 Quotes

Part 4, Chapter 10 Quotes

Part 5, Chapter 12 Quotes

Boris Pavlikovsky Character Timeline in The Goldfinch