“The Cathedral” is O. Honchar's sixth Important novel dealing with the contemporary Ukraine. It is more artistic than Honchar's previous works, although it still has some significant weaknesses. Following initial approval “The Cathedral” later stirred up rage because of its sharp criticism of party officials. This resulted in the removal of the book from bookstores in Kiev and even in burning it. By the act of rumored burning, “The Cathedral” was made a sensation in the Ukraine and abroad. Unlike Pasternak's Dr. Zhivago, it acquired extra-literary meaning. With this in mind, the following character analysis is undertaken.