One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich Lesson Plan

This section of the novel largely focuses on the squads at work. What does the squad accomplish? What is the significance of the unfinished work described in this section? What does the novel suggest about the relationship between camp administration and actual completed work?

Students should note that very little work is accomplished at the camp. It is highly dysfunctional, existing largely for its own sake with no ability to achieve its goals.

In this section, we learn that Shukhov's crime is surrendering to the Germans. Compare and contrast the crime Shukov committed to those of the other prisoners. What do these descriptions indicate about crime and punishment? Is...