Drinking

Aksionov’s drinking symbolizes a penchant for physical pleasures. Aksionov is relatively carefree at the beginning of the story, and he seems to value everyday pleasures. His experiences eventually deprive him of those pleasures and push him towards spirituality.

Dream

Aksionov’s wife’s dream symbolizes the inevitability of risk and danger. Aksionov dismisses the dream, and it is possible that the dream itself is merely coincidental. However, in the context of Aksionov’s later misfortunes, the dream represents the ever-present risks of life.

False Conviction

Aksionov’s false conviction symbolizes the chance nature of misfortune. Aksionov is convicted for a murder he did not commit. This misfortune is caused solely by chance and by Semyonich’s actions. The story thereby acknowledges that misfortune is often random and unpredictable.

Wife’s Doubt

Aksionov’s wife’s doubt symbolizes personal isolation. After Aksionov is convicted of murder...