Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov
The protagonist of the story, Aksionov is a successful young merchant whose stable, pleasant life is disrupted when he is framed for murder and exiled to a prison camp in Siberia. The incident prematurely ages Aksionov, whose appearance changes to the point where he resembles a meek old man, with snow-white hair, a long beard, and a stooped posture. He puts his faith in God and earns a reputation as a peacemaker among the prison officials and fellow prisoners. After finding himself locked up with the man who framed him, Aksionov grows miserable and resentful. However, the story ends with him forgiving Semyonich, at which point he feels a lightness enter his body. He dies soon after.
Aksionov's Wife
Aksionov's wife warns her husband not to go to Nizhy Fair, as she has had a nightmare in which his hair goes white in response to some terrible fate befalling him. She reminds him of her warning when she visits him in prison and runs her hand through his hair.
Makar Semyonich
The villain of the story, Makar Semyonich first appears as a fellow prisoner in Siberia. Aksionov suspects that Semyonich is the man who killed the fellow merchant and framed Aksionov for the crime. Semyonich shows no remorse for his actions until Aksionov decides not to tell the governor about Semyonich's having dug the escape tunnel, at which point Semyonich goes to Aksionov to beg forgiveness.
The Governor
The governor is the authority figure who visits the prison camp in Siberia to question prisoners about the escape tunnel the soldiers find. He knows Aksionov by reputation as an honest man, but his attempts to extricate the truth from him are in vain, as Aksionov decides not to tell the governor what he knows about Semyonich.
The Fellow Merchant
The fellow merchant is a man whom Aksionov meets on his way to Nizhy Fair. After the fellow merchant and Aksionov settle at the same inn, Semyonich slits the fellow merchant's throat during the night and frames Aksionov for the murder.
The Official
The official is a police official who conducts Aksionov's initial questioning and arrest. He asks questions in quick succession, bombarding Aksionov with increasingly specific and damning accusations.
