Ivan Denisovich Answers

can knuckle down, work hard, keep a positive frame of mind and try earnestly to

Viktor E. Frankl, an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist who also had survived the Holocaust, writes “When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves” (BrainyQuote). Frankl survived genocide against his own people and still chose to have a positive outlook on it because he understands that if he did not, he would continually live an unhappy, upset life. Like Frankl, Ivan Denisovich Shukhov, the main character in One Day In The Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn, contains a similar outlook to that of Frankl. The novel takes place during Soviet Russia in a gulag in Siberia, or otherwise known as a labor work camp. The whole book is about only one day that Shukhov lives; from 5 in the morning to 10 at night and all that happens in between. In this labor camp, not only are the weather conditions very cold, making it difficult to work in such circumstances, but also the workers are punished and harshly treated if they do not obey the guards. When placed in this environment, it is easy to be discouraged and miserable, but instead of facing the negatives of his situation, Shukhov remains affirmative in his thoughts – which are most important in order to survive not only physically, but also mentally. This stoicism portrayed in the narrative can also be found in Epictetus’s work, The Handbook. In this text, Epictetus discusses how he believes people can live a happy life, despite the hard conditions they are put through

Shukhov could not dwell on his past even if he wanted to due his situation in the camps. Little by little he forgot what life was outside of it. With spending 8 years in the labor camps, Shukhov had little to remind him what home looked like. “As time went by, he had less and less to remind him of the village of Temgenyovo and his cottage home. Life in the camp kept him on the go from getting-up time to lights-out. No time for brooding on the past” and “Since he’d been in the camps Shukhov had thought many a time of the food

In One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn shows how Soviet prisoners, known as Zeks, are treated while being in the gulag for one day through the eyes of the protagonist and omniscient narrator named Ivan Denisovich Shukhov. Despite being in an environment such as the Soviet Union, where there is harsh tundra and not much food to eat, Shukhov tries to make good use of what he has received while trying to keep himself alive. The purpose of Solzhenitsyn’s portrayal of food is to show its overall significance and that it is used as a means of trade and survival. Over time, the power of food reveals its significance to the Zeks and especially to Shukhov and food allows both groups understanding towards the necessity of food for their vitality and well-being additionally.

Shukhov, one of the prisoners in the special camp, has many unfair situations from his camp life. Among those situations, deficient amount of meal, struggling against the harsh coldness, and loss of his rights and dignity caused Shukhov to suffer. To sustain from the special camp, Shukhov has to warm himself, gets extra food to survive, and retain his own dignity and rights.

In the book, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn, it is understandable that the main character personal pride and dignity are essential to his survival in the harsh conditions of the Gulag system. Shukhov displays this personal pride and dignity throughout the book and continues to earn respect from his fellow inmates by working extra hard and earnings extra food and favors because of that. Furthermore, it is remarkable how Shukhov continues to have hopes for a new day, which is why he was able to survive the gulag system for ten years. Even after several years living in the harsh conditions of the gulag system, Shukhov remains prideful and clever. For example, Shukhov’s cleverness earns him extra food for his squad members and

Through the striking change in the narrator’s lifestyle and state of mind, Dostoyevsky demonstrates how one’s life is purposeless without hope. This is similar to the idea that hope is the belief in the ability to achieve one’s desires because the

By the way Shukov saves his life by committing this crime and instead of being executed he is sent to the camp (pg. 18 ff). Besides he decides as a squad leader that his people should work more than expected in order get bigger food rations. That has given him appreciation from his own squad. Finally he set an example to his people and strengthen their moral and motivation.

“If a man asks for help, why not help him” (102). This quote is significant because it shows that Shukhov still has the kindness to help another man. He previously mentioned that every other prisoner could always count on Alyosha, and that the life in the camp would be better if everyone were like that. Being concerned for the well being of others and helping one another in times of need ensured the survival of each prisoner until the end of their term. Life in the camp could be brutal and no one truly knew what another person was capable of, unless they were put in a situation where death is inevitable; then, they would do anything to stay alive, even if it means throwing away their humanity and killing another person. That was the life at

Finally, Solzhenitsyn's novel expresses one of the most important Christian principles, hope for the future. In Christianity, since Christ paid the price for the sins of the world, there are no lost causes. Christians have faith that Christ will return someday and that there will be a heaven. In the same way, in the midst of the terrible conditions of the prison camp, Shukhov can be pleased at

He scrounges for anything he can get regardless of the repercussions. Although under harsh and inadequate conditions, Shukhov follows the social rules of eating with his cap off no matter how cold or hungry he

The day begins with Shukhov waking up sick. For waking late, he is sent to the guardhouse and forced to clean it-a minor punishment compared to others mentioned in the book. the whole camp lives by the rule of survival of the fittest.Those in the camps found everyday life extremely difficult. Ivan Denisovich Shukhov, the protagonist of the novel. The reader is able to see Russian camp life through Denisovich's eyes. Information is given through his thoughts, feelings and actions which portray camp life through many of its restricted activities. The themes of One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich center on authoritative oppression and camp survival. Specifically discussed is the cruelty and spite towards the fellow man, namely from prison officials. Solzhenitsyn explains through Ivan Denisovich that everything is managed by the camp commandment up to the point where time feels unnoticed Often considered the most powerful indictment of the USSR's gulag ever made, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich forced Western intellectuals to acknowledge their sins of omission in regards to the Soviet human rights

169) Another example of Shukhov’s emotional strength was at the end of his day, he was content and happy. This was only because he accomplished small tasks such as getting extra food for dinner, making a wall, and not being put in the cooler. It is so hard to imagine actually being completely happy about things like this. In my opinion this is heroic.

One of the themes of Tolstoy’s story of The Death of Ivan Ilych is detachment from life, considering that all material things can substitute the true meaning of life: compassion and care for others. “Everywhere in the novel, Tolstoy speaks of Iván Ilych's desire for propriety, decorous living, and pleasantness all while making this his first and most important priority. This motivation is a poor

Chekhov explores the human incapability to evolve past the point at which they are comfortable despite their relentless efforts to do so. Chekhov portrays this notion through the use of symbolic and restrained environment, along with the social influence. Chekov shows that redemption might be difficult as a consequence of the situation, but it is not impossible.