Pozdnychev is a middle-aged Russian nobleman who recounts the troubled history of his family life. He possesses a highly changeable, nervous personality with physical features that alter dramatically depending on his emotional state. He harbors rigid views on morality and sensuality, battling constant inner turmoil and extreme, escalating jealousy regarding his wife.

A young woman who marries a Russian nobleman and attempts to manage a rapidly deteriorating relationship. Initially viewed by her husband as a pure ideal, she bears several children before pursuing a life outside the home, taking a renewed interest in her appearance and her skill as a pianist. She endures significant emotional distress and physical harm within the confines of her restrictive domestic environment.

Troukhatchevsky is a young, Paris-educated violinist who brings a touch of modern European culture to the Russian social scene. He is an exceptionally skilled musician and a bit of a dandy, wearing diamond cufflinks that draw the ire of more conservative peers. His talent allows him to pursue a high degree of socially sanctioned intimacy through musical performances.

A quiet observer on a train journey bound for a distant stop. He acts as an audience to the debates among the passengers and eventually becomes the sole listener to a fellow traveler's intense life story, occasionally questioning the more unconventional arguments presented to him.

A train passenger traveling with a female companion. He participates in a lively debate about domestic issues, inadvertently steering the conversation toward a high-profile criminal case that prompts a dramatic reaction from another passenger.

The lone female passenger participating in the train carriage debate. She advocates for modern views on relationships, arguing that love is the only true consecration of marriage and that women no longer need to fear their husbands.

A conservative train passenger who holds archaic views on gender dynamics. He believes that wives must fear their husbands and that men must dominate women into submission, attributing modern marital separations to people becoming overly educated.

A young train passenger who contributes to the discussion by sharing an anecdote about his employer's failed marriage. He uses this story to illustrate the changing social dynamics and moral failures of the current era.

A widowed woman who acts as a crucial support system for her sister. She steps in during times of crisis, facing the hostility of her brother-in-law to ensure her sister's safety and the well-being of her nieces and nephews.

One of the children in a highly volatile household. She is notably her father's favorite child, though she views him with increasing fear due to his erratic and frightening outbursts.