An elderly and stern aristocrat living on the estate with his brother Nikolay, harboring a history of a brilliant career and beauty. While he once ruled over everything and everyone as a socialite, he withdrew into solitude and lost his vigor after becoming pathologically attached to and subsequently disillusioned by a legendary, ominous woman (Princess R.). He maintains high standards of European culture, luxury, and elegance even in the rural wilderness; he is a quintessential defender of the 'old generation' who prides himself on his nobility. Consequently, he engages in sharp, irrational, and stubborn arguments with the nihilist Bazarov and officially brings an end to the era by dueling Bazarov over the Fenechka incident, which he turned into a matter of honor.
With a shining career in the military behind him, Pavel fell in love with Princess R.; when she died, he abandoned his life entirely, keeping only a sphinx ring marked with a cross he received from her. Left with the noble remnants of a ruined, lost life, he settled into his brother's remote home, living decades without spirit or action.
Around 45 years old, with gray hair that looks perfectly groomed and shines with a dull silver luster. He possesses a clean-shaven, flawless, pure beauty—as if drawn by a pencil—without a single wrinkle, and dark, bright, almond-shaped eyes.
Nikolay Petroviç Kirsanov
His angel-spirited brother whom he deeply loves and whose weaknesses he guards.
Yevgeniy Vasilyeviç Bazarov
His radical enemy whom he sees as his existential opposite.
Feneçka (Fedosya Nikolayevna)
The candidate for his brother's wife who secretly reminds him of his past love (Princess R.); a miserable innocence he protects and paves the way for.