Summary

Chapter 1: News of Rubashov’s trial spreads to his former followers. Porter Wassilij, the man who let the officials into Rubashov’s house when he was arrested, is deeply saddened by the news, remembering the glory with which Rubashov was once showered. Wassilij tries to explain it all to his daughter, but she does not understand. Wassilij is frightened, however, that he will also be arrested, so he signs a petition against traitors like Rubashov. The paper reports that Rubashov is to be executed.

Chapter 2: Rubashov spends his final days alone in his cell, thinking about the past. Rubashov’s thoughts are more melancholy than they were before. Rubashov is lonely. He begins to wonder about the lies he feels the Party fed to him. He was led to believe that he could act as an individual when he was...