One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich Rules and Order Quotes

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

Quote #10

Just then the gangs began heaving and shoving (nothing else for it - lights out soon!), as though they were storming a fortress, taking the steps one at a time and swarming onto the porch.

"Halt, you sons of bitches!" Limpy roared, raising his stick at those in front. "I'll split somebody's head open in a minute!" (967-8)

This sort of scene is the end result of the types of rules governing the camp. Limpy isn't allowed to let everyone in the mess hall, but the prisoners have to be in their huts at "lights out," so the two end up fighting. There's really no way to actually follow every rule of the camp.

Quote #11

Oh, yes. Slitting a few throats had made a difference. Just three of them - and you wouldn't know it was the same camp.

Der was afraid to stay, and afraid to go down. He stood still, hiding behind Kildig's back. (620-1)

This small scene, and the references to all the throat cutting, hint at a shift in the balance of power in the camps. The prisoners are starting to establish a new "order" here, so to speak.