Fishing (Symbol)
Fishing symbolizes a way of self-meditation; it is one of the so-called common hobbies and is one of the ways how humans reach harmony. No matter if there is any catch or not this is the time to be face to face with nature, when one goes out without knowing what day or hour one may return, taking with every sort of fishing tackle as well as a store of provisions. Fishing in the story, along with being a way of relaxing, also symbolizes Savka’s catch of women; he is a fisher after both fish in the river and women in the village.
Savka (Allegory)
Savka contains features of manliness strong emotions, like a magnet for women. At the time when Agafya needs to leave Savka, she starts to feel sick and insecure so that she does not want to go. The narrator designs well grown and handsome youth as an illustration of a man that must be supportive and home fire guardian, but he is not; thus, Savka becomes an allegory of everything that every woman desires in a man.
To love or to be loved (Motif)
“Agafya” gives a contemplation on a topic of love, or rather on the question what is better to love or to be loved. Throughout the story situations of loving, and of being loved are observed and opposed one to another. Agafya's husband loves Agafya with all his heart, and is working hard and gives all his energy for his young wife. At the other side, Agafya doesn't feel satisfied with her life; she feels that her husband loves her but she wants to give her love to someone too. She found other source of love and falls in love with Savka, but her chosen one does not really care if it is Agafya or if it is anyone else. The story concludes that love should be mutual; in another way it does not make any sense.
