Summary

Chapter 1: This is a diary excerpt that discusses the maturity of the ‘masses.’

Chapter 2: Rubashov writes a letter to Ivanov to let him know he plans to confess. When Rubashov goes for his daily exercise, Rip Van Winkle is gone and replaced by someone else. Rubashov returns to his cell and tells No. 402 his plan. No. 402 accuses Rubashov of lacking honor.

Chapter 3: Rubashov expects to be taken to Ivanov immediately, but he is not taken from his cell for several days. When Rubashov is finally taken out of his cell, it is two o’clock in the morning and his interviewer is not Ivanov, but Gletkin. Gletkin reads the charges against Rubashov. Rubashov, however, does not plead guilty. Rubashov instead claims that he had natural thoughts that went opposite to the Party, but he claims that he never did anything...