The Sneeze (Metaphor)
While Tchervyakov literally sneezes on Brizzhalov, the sneeze also holds figurative significance in the story. As a metaphor, the sneeze represents any social faux pas or mistake that could have dire consequences for someone like Tchervyakov.
The General (Metaphor)
Brizzhalov is a civilian general working in the Department of Transport. It is this high-ranking position that thrusts Tchervyakov into a state of despair over having sneezed on Brizzhalov during the opera. Within the broader context of the story, therefore, Brizzhalov is a metaphorical representation of the Russian government and Russian social hierarchy.
