Ivan Denisovich Survival

The way one views the world is essential to their survival. If someone believes that people are trying to kill them, they’re digging a bigger hole for themselves. But if someone believes that everyone is doing their best, their life will be changed for the better. The novel One Day In the Life of Ivan Denisovich is about life in a Russian prison camp. Life there is hard, and one’s perspective of this brutal life is vital in their ability to survive. However, different people have varying perspectives of this prison camp. For example, the protagonist, Ivan Denisovich, holds the mentality that he must work hard to earn his due in camp. Tiurin, is the squad leader of the 104th, which is the unit highlighted in the book. His perspective revolves …show more content…
As squad leader he is in charge of leading his men and in turn his men give him gifts and are loyal to him. Tiurin has endured many hardships. However, it seems when he was given the choice as to whether to be upset about all the hardships or not let them weigh him down, he chose the latter. This is exemplified when he talked about giving his brother away. “’And you never saw your brother again?’ Asked the captain. Tiurin yawned. ‘Never again.’ He yawned once more. ‘Well, don’t let it get you down, men,’ he said. ‘We’ll live through it, even in this power station.’” Pg. 73. Another perspective that Tiurin holds is loyalty to his men. Not only is he relatively kind to his men but he also stands up for them against those with higher power then him. For example, when “Snubnose”, an young, rosy cheeked officer, comes to the barracks to punish the 104th for not signing overdue papers, Tiurin does all he can do to defend his men and protect them. “ ‘Let’s see now,’ said the guard. ‘S 311. He one of yours?’ ‘Have to look at my list,’ said Tiurin vaguely. ‘Expect me to keep all those damned numbers in my head?’ (He was playing for time. He wanted to save Buinovsky one night at least, by dragging things out till the count.)” This quotation illustrates Tiurin’s loyalty to his men. He is willing to put himself on the line, to save the 104th. This value and ideal stemmed from losing his own brother and being constantly on the run for the …show more content…
In the novel, he is described as a wolf, not only in looks but in personality as well. Fetiukov is one of the worse guards, everyone in the 104th seems to hate him. An example of Fetiukov’s role in the book is when he is talking to the captain. “But Fetiukov didn’t give a damn about him, the captain got no parcels either. And with a malicious grin on his drooling lips he replied: ‘You wait captain. When you’ve been in for eight years you’ll be picking them up yourself. We’ve seen bigger men than you in the camp…’” Fetiukov is considered disgusting and vile in the prison camp. He believes that one can only help themself and he almost seems to grovel in the prison camp. This belief stemmed from the fact that when he was sent to prison camp, his wife and children disclaimed him and his wife married again (Pg. 41). Perhaps Fetiukov isn’t as bad as he’s made out to be, but hardships have molded him into this despicable character who no one seems to