Character Relationship Map: Down House

Characters

• князь Мышкин (played by Fyodor Bondarchuk) — protagonist

  князь Мышкин returns to Moscow after a prolonged stay in a Swiss psychiatric clinic and meets Рогожин on the journey home. He seeks help from Елизавета Прокофьевна and becomes deeply drawn to Настасья...

• Парфён Семёнович Рогожин (played by Ivan Okhlobystin) — protagonist

  Парфён Семёнович Рогожин is a wealthy merchant whom князь Мышкин meets on the bus to Moscow. He becomes entangled in the destructive struggle surrounding Настасья Филипповна and grows jealous of Мышки...

• Настасья Филипповна (played by Anna Buklovskaya) — supporting

  Настасья Филипповна is a woman financially controlled and sexually exploited by Тоцкий after he seduced her in her youth. Convinced that she is socially fallen, she becomes the center of a planned mar...

• Ганя Иволгин (played by Mikhail Vladimirov) — supporting

  Ганя Иволгин is the general’s secretary and the man involved in the planned marriage with Настасья Филипповна. He hopes to improve his desperate circumstances by marrying for money and securing Тоцкий...

• Елизавета Прокофьевна, генеральша Епанчина (played by Barbara Brylska) — supporting

  Елизавета Прокофьевна, генеральша Епанчина, is a distant relative whom князь Мышкин visits after returning to Moscow. She provides an entry point into her family’s household by introducing him to Алек...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• князь Мышкин → Настасья Филипповна (Romantic Admirer) — Myshkin falls for Nastasya
• Настасья Филипповна → Ганя Иволгин (Romantic Intended Spouse) — Planned marriage between them
• князь Мышкин → Елизавета Прокофьевна, генеральша Епанчина (Family Distant Relative) — Myshkin visits his distant relative

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• князь Мышкин → Ганя Иволгин (Conflict Rival) — Competes for Nastasya's affection
• Парфён Семёнович Рогожин → Настасья Филипповна (Conflict Jealous Murderer) — Rogozin murders Nastasya out of jealousy
• князь Мышкин → Парфён Семёнович Рогожин (Social Bus Acquaintance) — They meet on the bus ride to Moscow

Story Analysis

A returning prince enters a distorted Moscow society where money, shame, desire, and jealousy culminate in murder and renewed madness.

Plot Progression

1. A Stranger Returns — A prince comes back to futuristic Moscow after extended psychiatric treatment. His meeting with a wealthy merchant and search for shelter reconnect him with Moscow society.
2. Marriage And Money — A planned marriage becomes the center of social and financial calculation. The secretary hopes to obtain a payout from the wealthy man connected to the bride.
3. The Dangerous Allure — The prince becomes fascinated by the woman whose traumatic past and self-condemnation shape her relationships. Her presence pushes the surrounding people toward emotional extremity.
4. Competing Devotions — The prince's feelings create a romantic contest when one of the daughters declares her love for him. His moral influence briefly reveals better qualities in others but cannot resolve their conflicts.
5. Jealousy And Collapse — Temporary hopes for moral improvement give way to jealousy and murder. The prince is devastated and returns to madness after the final tragedy.