What was the name of the rat in the story “The Adventures of Buratino”? - briefly
In Tolstoy’s “The Adventures of Buratino,” the rat is referred to simply as “the Rat,” without a distinct personal name.
What was the name of the rat in the story “The Adventures of Buratino”? - in detail
The rat that appears in Alexei Tolstoy’s version of “The Adventures of Buratino” is named Aristarkh.
Aristarkh is portrayed as a small, gray‑furred rodent with a sharp, inquisitive gaze. He lives in the same forest as Buratino and becomes one of the boy’s closest companions.
Key aspects of Aristarkh’s character:
- Personality: clever, resourceful, and often the voice of caution; he frequently warns Buratino about potential dangers.
- Role in the plot: assists Buratino in escaping from the puppet theater, helps locate the magical key, and participates in the search for the Golden Key that unlocks the secret door.
- Interactions: maintains a loyal friendship with Buratino, occasionally clashes with the antagonist Karabas Barabas, and collaborates with other supporting figures such as the turtle Tortila and the cat Basilio.
- Literary significance: serves as the archetype of the faithful animal sidekick, a device that balances Buratino’s impulsiveness with pragmatic advice.
Aristarkh’s name derives from the Greek “Aristarchus,” meaning “the best ruler,” which aligns with his role as a guiding presence for the protagonist. The character appears consistently across most Russian editions and translations, retaining the same name in most English adaptations.