Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Sasha's Dad

Even though he exits stage left really early in the book, Sasha's dad has modeled for him how to be a Good Communist. Sasha tries to live up to this, but in the end realizes that it just doesn't matter—no matter how much of a Good Communist you are, it won't save you from prison if The Powers That Be have it out for you. While Sasha's dad also demonstrates some pretty questionable morality (if you haven't done so already, go check him out in the "Characters" section), he's also the only character that even comes close to being any kind of a guide or mentor to our hero.