Character Analysis of Sasha Uskov

Authors use many literary methods to acquaint the reader with the main character. Most authors typically reveal the personality traits of their main character through characterization. In the short story, “A Problem” the author was able to allow the reader to explore the characterization of the main character, Sasha Uskov in several distinct ways. Through the narrator’s statement, the author was able to reveal to the reader the motives and conflicts of Sasha’s character and the other supporting characters. Describing Sasha’s character through his own actions reveals to the reader what they need know about his role in the story. The use of dialogue and thoughts helps the reader focus on how this affects the projection of point of view and the potential for sympathy towards Sasha. Finally, the through the supporting characters’ dialogue and actions, the relationships and interactions between Sasha allows for the external and internal conflicts materialize in the story.
The narrator opens the story with several statements that sets up the conflict and how our main character’s role contributed to it. The narrator states:
“THE strictest measures were taken that the Uskovs' family secret might not leak out and become generally known … The wife of the Colonel, her sister, and the governess, though they had been initiated into the secret, kept up a pretense of knowing nothing … Sasha Uskov, the young man of twenty-five who was the cause of all the commotion … Sasha Uskov had cashed at one of the banks a false promissory note, and it had become due for payment three days before …”
These opening statements allows for the reader’s imagination to dress Sasha’s character and serves as an inviting backdrop to the main conflict of the IOU note that Sasha wrote and his inability to repay it. Throughout the story, the narrator introduces the other supporting characters through their relationship or involvement with the problem Sasha’s has created. The supporting characters, such