A man of great virtues
The author does not give a very vivid and detailed portrayal of the main character Savka, but what he says about him produces a rather ironic effect, not a bad one, but still the one with a smile through tears. As the author says “Savka had the reputation of being a sensible and reasonable fellow. He could read and write, and very rarely drank, but as a workman this strong and healthy young man was not worth a farthing.” Thus such virtues as an ability to read, write and not being a heavy drunkard makes him a reasonable person.
A poor thing to sympathize with
Savka used to get things from women, such as food and “not only Savka's menu, but his clothing, too, bore traces of feminine "pity." The irony is that a man in prime of life is accepting the things for survival from women, and the most pathetic is that he does not find it humiliating or improper, it is what he finds a common thing. With such an attitude towards life this fellow won’t get too far.
A true Russian woman
Agafya is not a sensitive and tender person as a woman is considered, she is rather rough, strong and when Savka offered her a drink “She slowly drank the vodka, ate nothing with it, but drew a deep breath when she had finished.” A thing that would make a woman get wasted was nothing for her, she did not even frowned after a glass of vodka, and a deep breath is enough for her to smooth her countenance.
