“Aksenov was a handsome, fair-haired, curly-headed fellow, full of fun and very fond of singing. When quite a young man he had been prone to drink and was riotous when he’d had too much; but after he married he gave up drinking except now and then.”

The description of Aksenov at the beginning of the story sets the tone for the work. Written from the perspective of a third-person omniscient narrator, the story employs the simple and straightforward style of a parable. These lines also clearly characterize Aksenov as an average person of many earthly attachments (pleasure, family, etc.) but little spiritual development.

“I dreamt you returned from town, and when you took off your cap I saw that your hair was quite grey.”

This line, spoken to Aksenov by his wife, foreshadows Aksenov’s misfortunes and subsequent spiritual transformation. In her dream, Aksenov’s wife sees Aksenov returning home with gray hair, and Aksenov’s hair does indeed turn gray over the course of his long imprisonment. Parables or folktales often contain such dreams or visions that foreshadow plot developments in some way.

“This morning the merchant was found in bed with his throat cut. You are the only person who could have done it. The house was locked from inside, and no one else was there. Here is a blood-stained knife in your bag, and your face and manner betray you!”

With these words, the police arrest Aksenov for the murder of the merchant after finding a bloody knife in his luggage. Though Aksenov did not commit the murder, the judicial authorities, who draw their conclusions from mere appearances, wrongly conclude that Aksenov is guilty. The episode establishes the injustice of human judgment.