One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich Principles Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Paragraph). We used H.T. Willetts's translation.

Quote #7

Pavlo tantalized him a bit longer while he finished his gruel, licked his spoon clean (but not the bowl), put it away safely, and crossed himself. (463)

Again, the idea of licking out bowls pops up. This time we see that Pavlo isn't in danger of totally falling apart in the camp. Furthermore, Pavlo shows a hint of his morals here when he crosses himself. A lot of people in the camp fail to maintain their religious beliefs, so it's notable that Pavlo appears to do so.

Quote #8

He worked fast and skillfully, but without thinking about it. His mind and his eyes were studying the wall, the facade of the Power Station, two cinder blocks thick, as it showed from under the ice. Whoever had been laying there before was either a bungler or a slacker. Shukhov would get to know every inch of that wall as if he owned it. (538)

Even though he is being used as slave labor, Shukhov still works hard and works well. He takes pride in his abilities and his work, and he seems genuinely miffed, or displeased, at the "slacker" who worked on the wall before him. In a way, Shukhov's work ethic lets him "own" his work, and fight back against his enslavement, which tries to take everything from him.

Quote #9

He and the other Baptists spent their Sundays whispering to each other. Life in the camp was like water off a duck's back to them. They'd been lumbered with twenty-five years apiece just for being Baptists. Fancy thinking that would cure them! (236)

It appears that Alyoshka isn't alone in his religious zeal and his attitude towards camp life. His fellow Baptists also fight back using their religious beliefs and dedication.