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Illustrated portrait of Zverkov

A character in Notes from Underground

Zverkov

The confident former schoolmate whose farewell dinner becomes the narrator’s chosen scene of humiliation.

What they want in The novella’s account

To enjoy his farewell celebration and preserve his easy status within the group without treating the unwanted guest as an equal rival.

The book

Cover of Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Notes from UndergroundFyodor Dostoevsky, 1864

A brilliant, spiteful narrator argues against reason while sabotaging every chance at connection.

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At a glance

Connection
Former schoolmate
Event
Farewell dinner
Function
Focus of envy and resentment

Who they are in the book

Spoiler-free

Zverkov is socially polished, successful, and admired by the other men. The narrator despises his vanity while desperately wanting recognition from him.

At dinner, Zverkov responds to the narrator’s insults with a mixture of mockery and dismissal. His ordinary confidence becomes unbearable to a man who has rehearsed the encounter as a moral trial.

How the book draws them

Appearance, manner, and tone — as the book sketches them, in our words.

  • Confident young Russian officialHis status is visible in formal dress.
  • Polished 1860s appearanceHe looks socially at ease.
  • Self-assured gazeApproval feels natural to him.
  • Relaxed postureHe contrasts the narrator’s tension.
  • Close engraved bustNo dinner table or friends appear.
  • Muted blue accentThe cool tone suits social confidence.
What happens to ZverkovHow the book leaves them, what happened after, and what the record says. Open when you're ready.

Zverkov leaves the dinner with the other men for a brothel. The narrator follows and tries unsuccessfully to force a final confrontation.

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