There could be other characters as well, perhaps ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations due to the presence of the Black Monk or other elements in the stories. These characters might be from different walks of life, like a local villager, a scholar, or a priest, each bringing their own perspective to the story.
It's also possible that there are some secondary characters who play important roles in influencing the main characters. They could be friends, family members, or antagonists. For example, a jealous neighbor who stirs up trouble for the protagonist, or a wise old woman who offers advice during a difficult time.
Another important character could be the priest in some of the stories where religious or moral themes are explored. He represents the moral authority or the voice of the community. And then there are the friends and acquaintances of the main characters. They play roles in either supporting or challenging the main characters, adding depth to the storylines.
Another theme could be the supernatural or the unknown. Given the presence of 'The Black Monk' in the title, it may involve elements of the otherworldly, like how the characters interact with or are affected by supernatural entities. In many such stories, this can also be a way to explore deeper human experiences and beliefs.
One main theme is the struggle between reality and illusion. In 'The Black Monk', the protagonist experiences hallucinations that blur the line between what's real and what's in his mind. Another theme could be the human condition and the search for meaning. Chekhov often portrays characters who are trying to find their place in the world.
In 'The Black Cat', the main character is the unnamed narrator. He is a man who experiences a transformation from a seemingly normal person to someone consumed by madness and guilt. There's also the black cat, which is an important character as it is the focus of the narrator's obsession.
I'm not sure specifically as I haven't read the book. But it could be characters whose personalities or fates are somehow related to the black and red elements. Maybe there's a character associated with the mystery of black and another with the passion of red.
There could be a group of women as main characters. Maybe one is a young woman who is just starting to understand the significance of the black dress in different situations. And an older woman who has a lot of stories related to the black dress and can pass on her wisdom to the younger ones.
The black monk is a mysterious figure in the story. He could be a symbol of the protagonist's inner demons or a supernatural entity.
In the 'the black monk story', if it follows a typical pattern, the main character would be the black monk. He could be the one around whom all the events in the story unfold, whether it's his journey, his relationships with other characters in the story, or the mysteries associated with him.
There could be various main characters across the different stories in the collection. However, often in ghost stories, there is a protagonist who is either a skeptic at first, like many in this genre, and then is forced to confront the reality of the supernatural. They might be people who have moved to a new place or are exploring an old, haunted location. These characters are usually ordinary people who are thrust into extraordinary and terrifying situations.
The main characters are hard to determine without reading the book. However, based on the title, the black cat is bound to be an important character. There may be a protagonist who has a special bond with the cat. This person could be a lonely individual or someone going through a difficult time, and the cat becomes a significant part of their life. There might also be secondary characters like local store owners or friends who play a role in the stories that involve the black cat.