Chapters V through IX Summary and Analysis

Olga and the other detainees endure two harsh roll calls daily, sometimes lasting for hours in all kinds of weather. Despite the fact that there are no comprehensive records, an alarm goes out if a single person from a specific barracks is missing at roll call. This means that even those who are dead must be carried out so that they can be counted, otherwise a search is immediate and the prisoners able to attend roll call catch the brunt of the guards' anger. They either stand or kneel but are not allowed even to shift their weight. Those too ill to stand would lie on the front row, next to the dead. Olga says that the days of rain are uncomfortable, but that they may at least be able to catch a few drops...