Markel Character Analysis in Doctor Zhivago

Markel is the porter of the Gromeko family and, later, the Zhivago family. A good-natured alcoholic, Markel changes after the revolution, discovering a sense of resentment toward his former employers and relishing his newfound power over them, especially when their roles are reversed entirely and Yuri Zhivago depends entirely on Markel’s generosity during the NEP. Markel’s daughter, Marina, becomes Yuri Zhivago’s final romantic partner.

Markel Character Timeline in Doctor Zhivago

The timeline below shows where the character Markel appears in Doctor Zhivago. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Alexander Alexandrovich buys Anna Ivanovna an antique wardrobe. While trying to help their porter Markel assemble it, she falls and injures her back, setting of chain of health issues culminating... (full context)

...Alexander Alexandrovich, now a district duma member, will soon be home for a celebratory dinner. Markel, drunk and insolent, no longer treats the family with the same respect as before. Yuri... (full context)

...they cannot bring with them, and early in the morning leave for the train station. Markel, drunk and still resentful, attempts to help them and takes offense when they refuse. (full context)

...return to Russia. Eventually they split up and Yuri moves in with his old porter Markel, who has become the superintendent of the Sventitskys’ former estate. Markel treats his now-pitiful former... (full context)