Sugar Candy
When asked to describe Agafya to Podkoliosin, Fiokla says that she is "Like sugar candy! Pink and white like milk and roses. So sweet that there is no word for it." (Act I, Scene I)
This metaphor describing Agayfa is accurate to a certain extent, but it is undeniably a bit misleading in its heavenly praise. Fiokla is, according to her wily practices, accentuating Agafya's attractive characteristics (her coloring?) while downplaying those that are less so (she is later called "plump" in several instances). This selective description plays into the theme of Fiokla's somewhat unjustified portraits of certain characters.
The Trumpet-Voiced Admiral
"Why I've a captain in my eye with a voice like a trumpet – head and shoulders taller than you. He's in the Admiralty." - Fiokla (Act I, Scene I)
After Podkoliosin gives his customary, moratory response to her proposition of a match, Fiokla becomes irritated with him and begins to insult him, telling him that since he's losing his chance, younger and better men than him will beat him to the women. This "Admiral" is one such hyperbolized man; his voice "like a trumpet" seems to be enough to defeat Podkoliosin, conveying a sense of dignity and worth with every word he speaks.
Hands as White as Milk
"... when you think what little hands there are – as white as milk, old friend." - Podkoliosin (Act I, Scene I)
In this scene, Kochkariov is convincing Podkoliosin to take seriously the idea of getting married. To do so, he paints the picture of an idealized scene in married life: "But when you have a wife you simply won't know yourself or anything else: here you'll have a sofa, a lapdog, a bird of some sort in a cage, needlework... And just imagine: you'll sit on the sofa, and all at once a pretty little woman will sit down beside you and put her little hand..." At this point Podkoliosin interrupts and pleasantly fantasizes about his future wife's white hands, which he strangely compares to milk in his daydream. Evidently this is a positive comparison, further strengthening Kochkariov's argument in Podkoliosin's mind.
Simply a Log
"Why, what are you now? Simply a log, you know, you're of no importance whatsoever." - Kochkariov (Act I, Scene I)
Kochkariov is attempting to convince Podkoliosin that marriage would be a major improvement to his life. When fed up with his indecisiveness, Kochkariov starts insulting him to shock him out of his contemplative, action-less state. At the moment, Kochkariov says, his life is no better than that of a log, doing nothing of importance and wasting the days away.
A Family of Dogs
"...just imagine, you'll have a whole lot of little forwarding clerks about you, the little rascals, and one little rogue will stretch out his little paws and tug your whiskers while you'll bark at him like a dog: Bow! Bow-wow! Now, is there anything better than that, tell me?" - Kochkariov (Act I, Scene I)
While trying to convince Podkolision that the married life is the right one for him to live, Kochkariov uses all sorts of images to appeal to Podkoliosin's desires. Having several sons who look like him and, moreover, with whom he could play and wrestle good-naturedly, is a convincing argument to Podkoliosin, despite his initial objections. The carefree and joyfully enthusiastic nature of dogs lends an atmosphere of appealing joviality to the imagined scene, augmenting its effect.
