The highroad was dry, a lovely April sun was shining warmly…But neither the warmth nor the languid transparent woods, warmed by the breath of spring, nor the black flocks of birds flying over the huge puddles that were like lakes, nor the marvelous fathomless sky, into which it seemed one would have gone away so joyfully, presented anything new or interesting to Marya Vassilyevna who was sitting in the cart.
-- Narration (N/A)

Importance: These lines appear near the very beginning of the story. They juxtapose the pleasant weather of the day with Marya's dour mood. These dynamics foreshadow one of the primary dynamics of the story, namely Marya's general discontentment, discomfort, and inability to view any part of her life with pleasure or gratitude. The story does not necessarily blame Marya for these dynamics, as her life is objectively difficult in many ways,

She had once had a father and mother; they...
-- Narration (N/A)