One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich – Essay Options
Directions: Below are the essay options for the in-class essay. You may use any prep work (and your book) for the
essay. However, you cannot come in with the essay written.

Author’s Style – Consider the structure of the novel (no chapters), the writing style (simple, cold), and the
thorough detail provided by Solzhenitsyn about Shukhov’s life in camp. How does this structure and style affect
the reader? Why does Solzhenitsyn provide much detail about Shukhov’s life in the camp, but little detail about
his outside life (we never learn his wife’s name)?

Comparison – Compare and contrast One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich and Night. For this essay, make sure
you focus on a few key ideas. Anything can be similar and different, so you need to develop a specific argument.

Power – Identify and discuss the prisoners who were corrupted by power given to them by the institution. How is
power and social status important in the camp?

Characterization – Considering all of the different characters, explore Shukhov’s character, actions, motivations,
etc. Some readers consider Shukhov a humane and compassionate person, while others believe he is selfish and
inconsiderate. However, he is uncharitable towards the older prisoner at dinner and shows no sympathy towards
Buynovsky when he gets thrown into the hole. How would you characterize Shukhov’?

Theme – Using specific references from the text, explain how a specific theme is developed throughout the novel.

Personal Pride/Dignity – How is personal pride or dignity linked to material wealth within the camp? Is material
wealth the only means of preserving personal pride or dignity? Why or why not? Explain how the prisoners (and
be specific) who have maintained their personal pride or dignity have accomplished this.
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich – Essay Options
Directions: Below are the essay options for the in-class essay. You may use any prep work (and your book) for the
essay. However, you cannot come in with the essay written.

Author’s Style – Consider the structure of the novel (no chapters), the writing style (simple, cold), and the
thorough detail provided by Solzhenitsyn about Shukhov’s life in camp. How does this structure and style affect
the reader? Why does Solzhenitsyn provide much detail about Shukhov’s life in the camp, but little detail about
his outside life (we never learn his wife’s name)?

Comparison – Compare and contrast One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich and Night. For this essay, make sure
you focus on a few key ideas. Anything can be similar and different, so you need to develop a specific argument.

Power – Identify and discuss the prisoners who were corrupted by power given to them by the institution. How is
power and social status important in the camp?

Characterization – Considering all of the different characters, explore Shukhov’s character, actions, motivations,
etc. Some readers consider Shukhov a humane and compassionate person, while others believe he is selfish and
inconsiderate. However, he is uncharitable towards the older prisoner at dinner and shows no sympathy towards
Buynovsky when he gets thrown into the hole. How would you characterize Shukhov’?

Theme – Using specific references from the text, explain how a specific theme is developed throughout the novel.

Personal Pride/Dignity – How is personal pride or dignity linked to material wealth within the camp? Is material
wealth the only means of preserving personal pride or dignity? Why or why not? Explain how the prisoners (and
be specific) who have maintained their personal pride or dignity have accomplished this.