One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

“Here, men, we live by the law of the taiga. But even here people manage to live. The ones that don’t make it are those who lick other men’s leftovers, those who count on doctors to pull them through, and those who squeal on their buddies.”

Shukhov’s first squad leader, Kuziomin, advised new prisoners to avoid acts of desperation. His counsel suggests that dignity is integral to survival. It also demonstrates the importance of solidarity in such an extreme environment.

“Apart from sleep, the only time a prisoner lives for himself is ten minutes in the morning at breakfast, five minutes over dinner, and five at supper.”

Eating and sleeping are the only independent activities allowed in the prison. This statement develops the setting by demonstrating the prisoners’ lack of autonomy, and it enhances the oppressive mood of the novel.

“You can overwork a horse to death. That the doctor ought to understand. If he’d been sweating blood laying blocks he’d quiet down, you could be sure of that.”

The reference to overworking horses to death demonstrates the dehumanization of the prisoners. The doctor’s attitude represents the lack of empathy extended to the prisoners. Dehumanization is often used as a tool of oppression because it results in apathy toward the dehumanized person or group.