Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Uncle Nikolai

Uncle Nikolai is the kind gentleman who agrees to raise Yuri Zhivago after Yuri's mom passes away and his father deserts him. And as a caretaker, Nikolai does a pretty great job. For starters, he's an extremely educated man who writes lots of books about philosophy and politics, and his love for knowledge is one of the things that'll rub off on Yuri Zhivago as he grows up.

On top of all that, Nikolai is fairly well off, which allows him to give Zhivago opportunities as a child that he never would have had otherwise—like vacations on large, beautiful estates. It's these vacations that eventually make Zhivago form a deep connection with nature that lasts throughout his life.