One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

Ivan Denisovich Shukhov is the protagonist and the namesake of the novel. He is a 40-year-old man who has served eight years of his 10-year sentence in a forced labor camp in the far north of the Soviet Union. Previously, he served in the Soviet Army during WWII, where he was captured by German soldiers. He managed to escape, but the Soviets accused him of returning to spy for the Germans. He confessed to high treason because he knew he would be killed if he didn’t. He has adapted to life in the forced labor camp, and he questions whether he wants freedom because he does not want to live in exile far away from his family. His wife and two daughters live in Temgenovo; his son is deceased.

Shukhov is depicted as caring and practical with a strong work ethic and sense of morality. He forbade his wife from sending him packages because he did not want to take supplies away from his children. Shukhov’s caring nature is also demonstrated through his affection for Gopchik. His practicality is shown in his refusal to let potentially useful items go to waste, as when he risks severe punishment to smuggle in

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