He promised to take care of her mother if she cooperated. It was at her father’s funeral that her uncle, Egorov, proposed that she do a job for him for Russia’s secret service. Shortly afterward, Dominika’s father died from a stroke. Dominika’s foot was broken and her career as a dancer ended. Shortly before an audition for the Bolshoi troupe, a jealous classmate arranged for Dominika to be injured in an accident. Her condition allowed her to follow the colors produced by the music as she danced. A violent twist at the end of the novel demonstrated the Russians’ lack of loyalty and trustworthiness and leaves the reader wondering if Dominika will reconsider her claim that she will cut ties with the Americans.ĭiagnosed with synesthesia, a condition in which she could see music, words and even people’s emotions and intentions as colors, Dominika had a promising career in ballet. Feeling used as a pawn by the Americans in a plan to replace a long-time double agent and rejected by her handler and lover Nathaniel “Nate” Nash, Dominika considered leaving her life as a spy. Dominika believed the Americans saw her worth and would treat her fairly where the Russians had not. She yearned to be seen as an intelligent person with capabilities beyond her beauty and physical attractiveness. In Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews, Dominika Egorova is driven by her anger at the unjustness of the Russian system to become a double agent working for the CIA. The following version of the novel was used to create this study guide: Jason, Matthews.

Red sparrow book summary