Stuffy rooms and marriage
One of the first similarities to appear in the play is present in the first act when the characters talk about marriage at the same time they talk about working in small and crowded rooms where even breathing can be extremely difficult. This comparison sets the tone for the play while also linking marriage with the idea of confinement and the incapability of experiencing freedom.
The dam project
In every act when the male characters talk with one another, they decide as to their main subject a dam project created by Islayev. This becomes the central subject and for the male characters, it becomes impossible to think about something else. This subject is compared with the subjects chosen by women, topics which are without any importance. The discussion around the dam project becomes used in this play as a metaphor for the importance men played in the society while also representing the traditional role women had and from which they could not break away.
Metaphor for affection
At the end of the second act, Vera and Beliayev are described while sitting together at dinner, talking with one another and laughing freely at the conversations only they can hear. This image affects Natalya extremely much because she sees the affection and the attraction between the two. Her attention is attracted by them when she hears them giggle and because of this, the giggle the young couple shared is used as a metaphor for affection.
Crying on Rakitin's shoulder
After Natalya realizes that the man she loves is attracted to another, she cries on Rakitin's shoulder, the man who loves Natalya unconditionally and would do anything to make her happy. The fact that Rakitin lets Natalya cry on his shoulder even though others are present and even though this may put his own honor in question, proves his love. Thus, the act of letting Natalya cry on his shoulder is used as a metaphor for his unconditional love.
The rain
I the beginning of the fourth act, Liza and Shipgrlgsko are running on the open field and looking to find a suitable shelter to protect them from the rain. Once they find this shelter, the two start talking openly about their feelings, without fearing they will be judged. Here, the rain is used as a metaphor and is use to represent the outside criticism which can influence a person to no longer do what he or she wants but rather try and make everyone else happy.
