Chekhov’s short stories focus on small details of Russian life. By focusing on a single character’s perspective on an event, they comment on them. Agafya by Chekhov is a longer short story told from the point of view of a young man returning to an old village in order to spend one night with his friend Savka. Savka has a beautiful face, but he is lazy. In exchange for food and clothes, he entertains the women in his village. Agafya used to be friends with the narrator. Before leaving her alone, he warns Agafya. Agafya spends the night with her husband, who can see where she went. This story contains elements about strangers, country class, illusions of love, and hopelessness. Chekhov is sensitive to all the characters, their motives and symbols.
The characters in this story are both familiar and foreign, as they are in many other Chekhov stories. Although everyone in the story knows each other, it is unclear how long they have been out of touch. It is clear that there are no boundaries and a lack of familiarity. The narrator claims to know Agafya, but when left alone with her he says nothing. The narrator warns Agafya that Jacob may “find out” and she rejects it, but not confidently. The narrator is almost remorseful that she was found in such a situation. She “faltered” when she arrived, dropping the little bundle she had carried, and looking at me. They aren’t strangers anymore, but neither are they close.
The class division or rich-poor elements are acknowledged subtly, but not discussed. Three main characters are in different situations for various reasons. Savka, watchman of the village, is “not a copeck worth” despite being a talented hunter, having an easy-going way, and having innate ability for relationships. His “old-man’s job” and food he receives allows him to survive. He enjoys his freedom despite his rough life. Agafya’s life was not easy, but she does her best to make it better. She is the switchman’s “wife”, a young woman who married “a bold, fine peasant”. It is unclear what class the narrator belongs to. Agafya calls him “master”, he tells Savka wise stories and clearly grew up amongst these peasants, but it is not clear how or why he moved away. The class differences, and the expectations of each group are what makes this story interesting.
This story seems primarily to emphasize the relationships that exist between characters, as well as those with men and women. Savka’s charm wins over the women of the town. But “he hated women”, despite his grace and beauty. He doesn’t pretend that he loves them, but he seems to be a popular man. The women bring him gifts “out pity”. Agafya, and other women that come to the house seem to have husbands who love them and “come home every night”. They are not afraid of him and he is not just a charmer. This is not a picture of idyllic life in the provinces. There seems to be little affection between people other than friends.
Chekhov appears to be sympathetic to everyone, even though he is aware of these grim realities. He sympathises with the “poor woman” who visits Savka without her husband’s consent, the husband who does not understand where his spouse went, and Savka herself, who has the talent but also the laziness. In his description of Agafya’s suffering, he says that she “seemed like she was writhing in her husband’s eyes”, while Savka is “averse” to seeing her suffer. This does not mean he condemns or judges his characters. By using the first person, it is possible that this narrator could be Chekhov. He speaks mostly about birds who are desperate to leave, and fly away in order to avoid dying of cold. This could be a metaphor for the narrator’s own departure from his home to avoid becoming frozen.
Chekhov tells us a little story that paints an almost tragic picture of a beautiful Savka who “rests eternally”, Agafya whose torment is “suffering… her whole body expressed struggle and uncertainty” and the freedom-seeking narration who is far away from home.
