figure
Otlukavin
also: дьячок Отлукавин, Отлукавин
The sexton who takes down names for the church's prayer lists of the living and the dead, and hopelessly muddles them as the old woman dictates. His invented surname (from lukavit'sya, 'to dodge/dissemble') telegraphs his fumbling, evasive comedy before he speaks a word.
Reading notes
- The Rigmarole §1 sexton Otlukavin
The sexton (an Orthodox church officer below the deacon, responsible for reading and minor liturgical chores) whose invented name suggests dodging or dissembling, fitting his fumbling handling of the prayer lists.