One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

what is Shukhov's reaction to his punishment? why does he react this way?

From a day in the life of ivan denisovich

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Shukhov at heart is an existentialist. Like Sisyphus, whose punishment is the classical underworld is to continually push a rock up a hill, only to have it roll to the bottom to be pushed up again, Shukhov finds freedom in the certainty of his punishment. If punishment is always expected it hence becomes a way of life. Shukhov can relegate punishment to just part of his life in prison, no more concerning than ambient noise.