One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

The mess chief tells the Limper to let in two more squads, and he admits the 104th. Shukhov and Gopchik snatch empty trays from a waiting squad. Shukhov predicts Gopchik will do well in the prison. The 104th is given 24 portions, and Pantaleyev rejoins them. Shukhov watches the cook dish out the stew and pays attention to the heartier servings. He helps carry all the bowls to a cleared table, and Kilgas brings the bread, which is portioned out according to work performance; Shukhov is given his 12 ounces and also gets Tzesar’s six. Shukhov and Pavlo pass around the bowls, and Pavlo stores Tiurin’s portion in a tin.

Shukhov focuses on eating and the idea that he will survive. He eats the two servings of stew and saves his bread for the next day, reflecting that “[t]he belly is a demon. It doesn’t remember how well you treated it yesterday; it’ll cry out for more tomorrow” (137). He notices U 81, an older man from the 64th who was sent to work at the Socialist Way of Life Settlement. U 81 has served back-to-back terms, but he is dignified and determined. Shukhov leaves the mess hall to purchase tobacco from the Lett. The temperature outside has dropped; it might fall to -40 degrees by the morning. Shukhov plans to buy two glassfuls of tobacco for two rubles; he earns money by performing odd jobs for other prisoners. While the Lett measures the tobacco, Shukhov hears nearby prisoners complaining about “Old Whiskers”—Stalin. The prisoners in the forced labor camp are free to complain about the government, unlike those in traditional prisons, where such talk is forbidden.

Shukhov returns to his barracks and gives Tzesar his six-ounce ration, but Tzesar, who received a bountiful parcel, tells him to keep it. He does not begrudge Tzesar’s package because he knows that prisoners must share their packages with guards and other prisoners—”So leave envy to those who always think the radish in the other fellow’s hand is bigger than yours” (143). He climbs into his bunk and hides the hacksaw blade, which he plans to turn into a cobbler’s knife. Alyosha and the Estonians see him hide it, but he isn’t worried about them. Fetuikov, who has been beaten for fighting over bowls in the mess hall, returns sobbing and crawls into his bed. Shukhov does not think Fetuikov will survive his term in prison. Shukhov lends Tzesar a small knife he made and repays the Estonians by offering them tobacco. A guard, Snubnose, comes in and takes Buinovsky to the guardhouse, where he will spend 10 days alone in a bare cell without his coat. Tzesar gives Buinovsky a few cigarettes; the 104th knows how bad the guardhouse is because they built the cells. Even if a person survives 10 days in the cell, they will wind up dying in the hospital.

The prisoners are called outside for the evening count before Tzesar can put the contents of his package away. Concerned that someone will steal them, Shukhov offers to hurry back to the barracks to keep an eye on them as soon as he has been counted. The others are reluctant to face the cold, and he easily pushes to the front of the line. When everyone is outside, the guard and barracks commander shout for the prisoners to form groups of five; the prisoners refuse until the barracks guard hits them. Once Shukhov has been counted, he runs back to the barracks, watching the few people ahead of him. He puts his boots in a choice spot by the stove, yelling at someone who tries to touch them, then guards Tzesar’s items until he returns.

Alyosha overhears a whispered prayer from Shukhov and advises Shukhov to pray more frequently; however, Shukhov does not believe prayer will work. Alyosha says people should pray for their “daily bread” and for “things of the spirit” (154). Shukhov talks about an immoral priest he knew and says he believes in God but not in heaven or hell. When Shukhov complains that prayer can’t shorten a prison sentence, Alyosha argues that freedom ruins faith. Shukhov realizes he is ambivalent about freedom because he will never be allowed to return home; if he is let out of prison, he will likely be exiled. The guards call for a second count, which will take place indoors. Tzesar gives Shukhov biscuits, sausage, and sugar, and Shukhov hides Tzesar’s bag in his bunk since its higher location makes it more difficult to steal from. After the count, Shukhov rushes back to his bed, and he gives Alyosha one of the biscuits from Tzesar. He eats the sausage and goes to sleep, happy with how the day turned out.