This article presents the features of the inner world of the main characters of the works of A. N. Ostrovsky “Thunderstorm” and L. N. Tolstoy “Anna Karenina”. For the first time, the Cognitive-Emotive test was used as a method of studying the reflective profiles of literary characters. On the basis of mathematical data processing and their qualitative analysis, it was possible to create reflective portraits of Katerina and Anna, to see defensive reflective strategies and tactics that largely contribute to the tragic outcome of their lives.