Professor Nikolai Stepanovich
He is the protagonist of "A Dreary Story." Stepanovich is an old man who knows that he's dying. As he continues to age, he becomes consumed with fear and regret. He knows that he has not lived reflecting a value for the things which he now values in light of his imminent death. Existentially frustrated, he retreats inward to try and make peace with himself which causes him to withdraw emotionally from his daughters.
The Soldier
The Soldier from "The Kiss" is most likely schizophrenic or at least demonstrates schizo-effective tendencies. When a girl at a party kisses him, mistakenly believing he is her boyfriend, he suddenly realizes how powerful the human mind is. He convinces himself that there are magical forces at work on the Earth which he can influence to control his environment. He devotes a great deal of time to exploring this idea and trying to control the powers. Unfortunately when he returns to the house of the party, he is frustrated to learn that none of the intangible feelings he felt that night seem to be present this time.
The Lady with the Pet Dog
This attractive woman makes a habit of walking her dog down the street past the narrator daily. After watching her for some time, he makes her acquaintance. She is a married woman whose husband is traveling. She agrees to have a passionate affair with the narrator because she's bored of her present, tedious lifestyle and looking for some fun.
The Cabbie
The cab driver in "Misery" is a lonely man whose son just died. He tries to explain his grief to everyone he drives, but they all ignore him. Finally, desperate for some sympathy, he tells the story to his horse.
Kashtanka
Kashtanka is a dog who gets lost one day. He's adopted by a man who works for the circus and becomes one of many animals in a circus act. An ambitious dog, he trains every day to join the show. After the goose dies, he gets his big break to perform in the circus. He does an exceptional job in his routine, but after the show he hears his original owner calling his name and rushes to reunite with him. His life resumes its former flavor as he settles back into domestic life, but this time he knows that he's capable of much more.
Yakov
He is the protagonist of "Rothschild's Fiddle." Yakov is unhappily married to his wife to whom he pays little attention. After her death he realizes what an awful husband he was for taking her for granted and not taking her seriously. All the memories of their time together come flooding back and compel him to make right with other people he has wronged. This includes Rothschild, a fellow in his orchestra who plays the violin. Apologizing to Rothschild for his violence, Yakov bequeaths him his own violin at his death.
