Monday, October 5, 2009
Ivan Denisovich Blog #1
Think about the advantages and disadvantages of being selfish when in a situation like Shukhov’s. Discuss when you might be willing to share with others who are less fortunate than you. Consider some or all of these questions as you construct your answer: What might you gain by sharing? Would you be more willing to share with a prison official or with a fellow prisoner?
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Throughout One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Shukhov frequently displays his generosity towards other prisoners, and his selfishness as well. If I were in Shukhov’s position (he is a prisoner in a Siberian labor camp), there would be many instances where I, like Shukhov, would be willing to share with others who were less fortunate than myself. First of all, I must feel certain that all of my needs are met and that there is no item that I am in desperate need of. Although the previous statement may portray me as a selfish person, I definitely believe that people must take care of themselves before addressing the needs of others –if people are unable to help themselves, there is no guarantee that they will be able to care for less fortunate people. Once my own needs are met, I would be willing to share my belongings with those who are facing extreme hardships, such as starving or freezing to death. The needs of prisoners who are on the verge of death are clearly more essential than the needs of those who are in good health and are most likely able to survive for a longer period of time. Although I may appear selfish, I would not share my belongings with prisoners who are in better health than myself.
ReplyDeleteThere are many benefits to sharing my possessions with less fortunate prisoners. First of all, knowing that I helped a person who is in need would give me a feeling of satisfaction. This feeling of happiness would last with me for the rest of my duration at the work camp, as well as reassure me that positive feelings can arise even in the most depressing of places. Another benefit of sharing my belongings with other prisoners would be the possibility that the person that I shared with might compensate me in the future. By receiving an item in return for my thoughtful gesture, I would definitely feel more secure and optimistic in the prison.
If I were in Shukhov’s position, I would be more apt to share with a prison official than a fellow prisoner. For one thing, my fellow prisoners most likely do not posses many items of value, such as food, clothes or blankets. They will most likely be in the same, poor condition that I am in. Prison officials, on the other hand, will most likely remember my kind actions, delicious food and other items of necessity. As a result, I may not have to work in poorer areas of the camp, and possibly have special privileges. Because the prison officials affect my fate at the prison, I would be more apt to share my items with them as opposed to my fellow prisoners.
Although I would care about myself first, I would most likely share my belongings with others if I were in Shukhov’s position at a labor camp.
In the story, A day in the life of Ivan Denisovich, there is no room to be selfless. If Ivan and his fellow prisoners want to survive they must fend for themselves and not worry about others. In my life, I try not to be selfish. However, if I was in a situation like Shukhov, I would behave in selfish ways. At times I would be willing to share with prisoners that are less fortunate than me. Before I share with this person i must know that they are in desperate need of an item because they have been wronged. For example, I would not share food with someone who had already ate their food and they still wanted more. I would only share food with another prisoner if their food had been stolen or if their ration had been unfairly cut by the prison guards for something they did not do. If I were to smoke when i was in prison, I would most likely not share one with someone below me. Smoking is not neccesary to survive, therefore these men can live without the tobacco.
ReplyDeleteBy sharing I would gain a more positive status than if I did not share. Other prisoners would be more likely to want to be friends with me if I shared with them. If I was always mean to them, they would not want anything to do with me. Because I would have friends, I would also have people to turn to if I was ever in need. If my food had been stolen, they people that I have shared with would probably lend me some of their food. If I had denied someone of food when they were desperately in need, they would never share their food with me. I would also gain someone to back me up when if I was ever in need. If one prisoner accused me of stealing one of their belongings and I did not do it, the prisoner i shared with would stick up for me. By sharing, I would eventually gain a higher social status among the prisoners. Others would look up to me and do little favors, like hold a spot in like Ivan did for Tsezar.
If I were in prison, I would be more likely to share with a prisoner like myself. These prisoners would be more in need of what I have to offer them. In addition, the prisoners of my status would then look up to me or feel like they 'owe' me something. Prison officals would not give me anything in return. Although on the inside they might gain a slight respect for me, they would never damage their pride in front of their peers to admit that I have done a favor for them. Again, I would only share with people in desperate need of help because my own survival is more important.
Katie Rowe
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ReplyDeleteShukhov displays his generosity towards others, yet selfishness throughout One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn. Shukhov is occasionally generous to his fellow prisoners and leaders by working hard, offering to help, and sharing. Similarly, if I were a prisoner in a Soviet labor camp, I would share what I had with others, just like Shukhov. I would not share ever item that I possessed with anyone who wanted it, though. I would be willing to share any excess that I possessed with someone less fortunate than I. If I had an abundant food supply, and my fellow prisoner had only meager portions, I would be willing to share with him. As an advantage, the person I helped may want to help me in return. Contrastingly, as a disadvantage, I would possess less food, which may lead me to be hungry after working a long shift. Furthermore, I would not be as willing to share my items with those more fortunate than I am. If someone had a plentiful food supply, I would feel no desire or need to give him more food when he already had an overabundance. Additionally, ever item, food, or clothing I shared must be something I do not need to survive. I do not want to take away from myself to help someone else thrive when I may die without it. I do not want to overextend my generosity to the point where I could perish from lack of sustenance or warmth.
ReplyDeleteBy sharing with people less fortunate than I am, I would benefit myself. Foremost, I would achieve a high sense of personal happiness. By helping others, I would feel good about myself as I helped improve someone’s quality of life. Furthermore, I could gain an alliance with a fellow prisoner. As I shared my items with another, the other person may remember my generosity and share with me in my time of need. Additionally, sharing with others would develop stronger bonds and friendships, which are important when you are trapped in a Soviet labor camp for ten to twenty-five years, as friends look out for one another.
I would be more inclined to share whatever I could spare with a prison official, rather than a prisoner. A prison official delegates the rules of the prison camp and is the leader, whereas a prisoner is in the same situation as I am. By sharing with a prison official, he might take pity on me and help me out by giving me an extra ounce of bread. In contrast, a prisoner might become my friend, but he could never give me anymore than what I already had. Therefore, it would be more economically helpful to be generous toward a prison official. Overall, I would help those less fortunate than I am as well as those who could benefit me.
In order to survive in the conditions of the world today it is best to work together in order to accomplish the task of survival. In the story of One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Shukhov is very kind and helpful to his fellow prisoners. In the act of sharing you gain trust from others and you also obtain their help for when you are in a time of need. If I were Ivan, I would have first helped myself stay healthy and full of energy. Once I was done with this process I would then help out my fellow prison mates. I believe that one person can not win by himself/herself, but with the help of others he/she can accomplish anything. After having shared and helped out others they would gain trust in me and help me in return. When I was not prepared or was lacking supplies and food needed to survive I could rely on them to assist me. It may seem foolish to give away your extra supplies to help others when you may need them in the future. You know you are doing a good deed even if they do not return the favor, but that is why you take the risk. In all historical events it is shown that one man can not accomplish his goals without the help from his others. Hitler was a powerful speaker, but without his army and all of his followers he was nothing but an orator. The Holocaust was an example of how humans tried to survive individually and not working together for their freedom. The people would fight each other and even kill for pieces of bread when they could have been working together to find a way out. Who would win about a million people or approximately one thousand guards? The sad thing is not everyone makes the choice to be selfless and help others. The rewards of working together towards a common goal far out weigh individualism. – John Potter Furey
ReplyDeleteShukhov habitually shares his greed, but also generosity towards his fellow prisoners in the story, A Day in the Life of Ivan Dinesovich. In the position that Shukhov is in, it is difficult to determine whether or not to show great generosity towards fellow prisoners. Before allowing myself to distribute excess goods to anyone, I must be satisfied with what I have. Not sharing with other less fortunate then myself would leave me with a void left unfilled, and I would not feel at ease until they are helped.
ReplyDeleteBeing charitable towards the other prisoners and guards has a major advantage in the security and successfulness of a prison term. Offering essential goods, such as food, to other people will cause bonds to be formed with prisoners. The more prisoners you are allied with, the easier your stay will be. If you are acquainted with another prisoner, there will be a sense of protection and security because if you help each other with work and are not disrespectful towards each other, it is easier to get necessary goods needed to thrive in the labor camp. Not just friendly bonds, but respect is gained from helping someone else in need. The person you help will be able to look at you like a kind hearted person, and not view you for the crime you have committed. (Respect also aids in the feeling of protection and safety). Even the simplest of goods can make another prisoner gain a friendship. One commonly shared item through the prison camp was tobacco. Prisoners received tobacco through parcels sent to them in the mail, and everyone looked forward to those packages with that tobacco. As long as I am able to survive in the camp, then any excess materials can be shared with other prisoners.
An advantage to being selfish is that maintaining your own physical wellness is much easier than when items are shared between multiple prisoners. Food lasts longer when you are the only person consuming it; and food rations is a major problem in the camp. A disadvantage to being selfish is that bonds will not be formed with other prison members; thus, you are forced to live through your time alone without help from others. Being selfish will not get many people to want to help you out, whether it is doing work, like the masonry done while building the structure, or being kind and sharing items from their parcels. Also, there is no sense of protection from other prisoners, because there is no real bond formed when you are selfish and keep everything to yourself. Sharing excess materials is not a problem unless I have not been fully satisfied in order to survive in advance.
-Joe Juliano
In the novel One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Shukhov is rather generous to his fellow prisoners, though does what he needs to survive. If I were in his position, I would be willing to help out my fellow prisoners, but only to a certain extent. My own needs would have to come before others in Shukhov’s situation, for I would need to do whatever it takes to stay alive. There would be some instances where I could be selfless, but only if my needs were taken care of beforehand. For example, if a fellow prisoner got smaller portions of food than I did, I would be willing to share a small amount of my own food out of selflessness. Also, I would spare an extra article of clothing if I had one for someone who really needed it more than I did.
ReplyDeleteBy sharing my food with a prisoner, he may choose to help me in other ways if I needed it. Acting in such a kind way would also make me known for my generous ways to other prisoners, and I could befriend more prisoners who could eventually act selflessly toward me in the future. In addition, sharing my possessions, such as clothing, would give me a sense of happiness knowing that I helped someone, and it is rare to feel a sense of happiness in such an environment as a Siberian labor camp. The happiness and satisfaction that I would get from helping others would most likely help me get through the day of hard work more easily.
If I were in Shukhov’s position, I would definitely be more willing to share with a prison official than with a fellow prisoner. The prisoners do not have anything of value that could help me survive, whereas prison officials do. Sharing my possessions with a prison official would make him remember me and my generous actions, and he could help me by saving me extra food or giving me other special treatments that they would not give to other prisoners. To share with a fellow prisoner would not be beneficial, for they do not have any authority over me to help me in the long run. Overall, being selfish would not always be advantageous in Shukhov’s circumstances, but putting myself before others would be essential to survival.
-Giana Grimaldi
As "One Day In The Life OF Ivan Denisovich" progresses, Ivan's generosity towards his prison mates is revealed, but his selfishness is also shown. Ivan Denisovich gives his portion of food to his prison mates numerous times, hides the parcel for Tsezar, and works that extra mile so his prison mates and himself can be rewarded greatly. His selfishness is also shown when in the mess hall, Ivan promises his stomach two bowls of kasha, or how he is selfish to other groups when he sneaks the extra bowls of kasha. If I were to be put in Ivan's position, a prison in the GULAGS, I would be generous to other prisoners as Ivan is because it has its advantages and will help me overall with my survival. To be in a forced-labor camp, the strong survive and in this case the ones with food survive. My necessities must come first over other unfortunate prisoners. As it is shown throughout the novel, prisoners are given a short supply of food each and if I want to survive and be released so i can live the rest of my life in peace, there is no way I am sharing my portion of food. Though there are many advantages that can come from being generous which would make me always act this way. For example, if i was generous to one of my inmates, he may return the favor by doing my labor for a short amount of time while I get warm. Or as it happened in the book, maybe the inmate may return the generosity by giving me a remaining cigarette, or even food which is the most important necessity that one would need if in this prison. If I were to be generous then i would be willing to share with a inmate rather than with a guard. The guards also need their necessities and they could care less for a prisoner. The prisoner can not report the guard for "stealing" what you have shared. the guards pity the prisoners and no one is going to care if a guard doesn't return a prisoners favor. The prisoners have more of a friendship then guards and prisoners do. It is shown that the prisoners are more friendly to each other, by giving food to one and others, giving remaining cigarettes. Though being selfish may assure your survival, but being generous to others will help you in the long run.
ReplyDelete-Carmine DiCesare
In the story A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Shukhov faces many situations when he has to choose the well-being of himself over the well-being of others. Shukhov generously displays his kindness towards others but also displays his selfishness as well. If I were in Shukhov’s position I think I would be more selfish than selfless. I would share with the less fortunate but more often, I would try to help myself. I could not help others if I was not well or healthy. Therefore, I must provide myself with all of the necessary tools to live such as hunger, warmth, and clothing. If I am fully clothed, have a place to sleep, and have an adequate amount of food I will help those who need my assistance. I believe I would be of no value to someone if I am not one-hundred percent well. I would also not share my food or belongings to someone that does not need them. For instance, if a prisoner is not in dire need of food or clothing I would not share with them. However, if a prisoner has their food stolen or boots taken away I will share as much as I can while still allowing myself to survive.
ReplyDeleteThe benefits of being would help me tremendously. By being selfish and making sure I have enough food, clothing, and warmth I could be more successful than my fellow prisoners. Because I have enough food, I would not be weak and could perform my duties better. This in return would allow me to gain respect with the prison officials and eventually not be looked down upon by the officials. Being selfish, however, can have disadvantages as well. Prisoners may not be as likely to share with me because I do not share with them. Not being well-liked by fellow prisoners could be troubling because the prisoners could be more likely to blame problems on me, because they do not like me. The prisoners could also seek revenge on me for not sharing with them.
By sharing, I would gain the respect from other prisoners as well as friendships. The other prisoners would look at me as a friend for sharing my necessities with them. As a result, the other prisoners may share their food and clothing with me when I am need of help.
I would be more likely to share my belongings with a prison official rather than a fellow prisoner. To share with the official would mean the official might help me in areas that other prisoners cannot help me in. For example, a prison official may allow me to work in a less harsh or demanding area than the other prisoners. They may also give me extra food and clothing and not steal my boots like some officials do. If I were to share with a fellow prisoner, I could not experience the same benefits a prison official would give to me.
Kelsey LeBlanc
Certain situations avail themselves to specific behaviors. Being selfish, however, can bring a dramatic change in mood of the situation. Where Shukhov is in a hard-labor camp, it is expected that selfishness and other attitudes of the same nature will come from the prisoners. When one is selfish, they are considered to have too much pride, and he is not willing to cooperate with others. In Shukhov’s situation, this consideration can work to both his advantage and disadvantage. Additionally, someone like Shukhov might not want to share information with someone less fortunate because he feels superior. This person would most likely share information only when it is to benefit himself.
ReplyDeleteBy sharing knowledge with others, pros and cons of doing so are created. For example, the audience may have even more insight, or general advice about the information being imparted. Conversely, the audience may deceive the people with knowledge and use it evilly for their own benefit. In One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, the prisoners in Shukhov’s labor camp certainly avail themselves to gossip. Personally, I have my strict boundaries with what I share, and with whom I share it.
Not everyone on Earth can be trusted, and this is definitely still applicable for prison guards and fellow prisoners. While at first a guard would seem trustworthier, one never knows whom the guard talks to, and what harm might come of telling him in the first place. Fellow prisoners might seem more trustworthy because they are in the same situation as you, but one should not forget that they will do anything to come closer to being released; if this means revealing confidential information given by a fellow prison mate, then so be it. In the situation, I would assess the information I held carefully before I revealed it to anyone. In addition, I would disclose the least amount of information possible. This is probably so because in Shukhov’s situation, I would not feel comfortable in the slightest and would not be able to trust anyone. Shukhov has different ways than mine, and the story reflects that.
In a situation like Shukhov’s I think that it would behoove me to be unselfish. There are so many disadvantages to being selfish that it hardly seems worth the struggle. If one is greedy, his fellow prisoners will surely resent him. They will view him as cruel, and be much less likely to share their own possessions. Also, a greedy prisoner will probably have a hard time cooperating with the others during a job. The advantages to being selfish do not appear to outweigh the disadvantages. By being selfish, a prisoner like Shukhov would obviously gain by retaining all his possessions. He also could become healthier and stronger if he did not share surplus food when he obtained it. It seems that the prisoners agree that they will gain more by sharing because most, like Caesar and Eino, actually do.
ReplyDeleteThe gains of sharing are really the opposite of the disadvantages of being selfish. A generous prisoner is usually well-liked by his equals, and gets along with most in his gang. Also, others do not mind sharing with him in return. Sharing usually has a positive outcome for the giver.
In prison, I would choose the unselfish way of life, and not mind sharing with the less fortunate. But, I would hold some standards. First, I would like all my basic needs to be fulfilled before I give anything away. For example, I cannot be starving when I give away my only bowl of mush. If I have already eaten and come across a second bowl, I may then give it to another prisoner. Second, the person who I decide to share with must be worthy. I would not give the butt of my cigarette to a slacker like Fetyokov; I would instead offer it to a hard worker like Alyoshka. Being charitable does not always have gains for the giver, but it is still a kind gesture.
If I had to choose between sharing with a prison official and a fellow prisoner, I would undoubtedly choose the prisoner. Firstly, prison officials are generally resented. They are not liked because they have control over the prisoners, and often give out orders. Fellow prisoners would most likely be more grateful than prison officials to receive a gift, and more friendly, too. Fortunate prisoners, such as those who receive packages from home often, would be the best people to share with. This is because it is a known fact that they have gifts to give in return. Clearly, I believe that an unselfish lifestyle would be the most beneficial at a camp like Shukhov’s.
-Christina Totman
In the story, A day in the life of Ivan Denisovich, the prisoners in the Siberian labor camp should almost always be selfish. Along with the chaos of World War II, and being wrongfully placed in a Siberian labor camp, selfishness is predictable. Being selfish does not refer to only physical objects. For example, the narrator mentions that every man is responsible for the fate of his gang. Every prisoner must work exceedingly hard at all times, not only for himself, but for the others, because any signs of failure or weakness could result in a massive punishment for everyone. I believe that being under such harsh circumstances, I would become selfish. The prisoners are not self-expression through emotions, passions, or hobbies, which could potentially lead to anger and emptiness. One who have everything given to them will become lazy, selfish, and unfeeling to others. Every prisoner in this Siberian camp is miserable, hurt, and physically sore, leading to a lack of care for others. One must be able to establish a comfortable physical living condition, as well as a stable mental condition before pursuing others needs and wants. Although this may seem selfish, it is necessary in order to maintain a happy life. Once one has established a comfortable living position, they could potentially move on to help others facing the challenges of starving, freezing, or being beaten to death.
ReplyDeleteThrough sharing, one gains the positive feedback from helpless prisoners who have been assisted, and the admiration from greedy people. Additionally, helping the less fortunate provokes happiness within ones soul, knowing that they have helped somebody discover the importance of life and the significance of friendships. In one instance, the cook gives extra rations to particular men who carried bags of meal and washed and collected the dirty bowls. Along with sharing, or helping the less fortunate, such kindness will shoot back at the helper. Although it may take time, the righteousness one has passed to a fellow friend will surely launch right back at them.
I would choose to share with a prison guards over fellow prisoners. Although the prisoners are facing rigorous anguish and emotional problems, they were placed in a top-security prison for a reason: they committed a crime. Even though Shukhov was wrongfully convicted of treason, most prisoners comparatively deserved their punishments. I would particularly share with the dreaded disciplinary officer Volkovoy, because he is known for giving out harsh whippings and sharing could abolish mine completely. Guards have more power than prisoners, and could therefore grant me more food, less whippings, and less work. Therefore, I believe a selfish lifestyle would most suit one's salvation at a strict prison camp such as Shukhov's.
-Alessia Caruso
Throughout the novel, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, by Solzhenitsyn, there are many advantages, as a fellow prisoner, to sharing with other prisoners that are less fortunate. However, Shukhov is having an advantage while being selfish by saving half of his ration of bread for himself for later. He might be seeing others that seem to need this small piece of bread more than he does, but he keeps it for himself. However, he needs food for himself to survive. This shows, he thinks about himself first naturally. In this situation, I would do the same. Also, under these circumstances, I would wonder if I did not help my self to survive, who would? However, after being selfish, one could be left with a negative disadvantage. This disadvantage is to be left with a feeling of guilt or not feel completely good about one's self. This is like the easy money that can earned in the novel by making carpets or rugs. This money does not feel rightfully earned.
ReplyDeleteMany prisoners got care packages delivered from family. If I were to receive a large one, I would share it with fellow prisoners that greatly needed food and did not get care packages for one reason or another. Also, I would be more willing to share with a fellow prisoner because, a prison official does not have to do as hard and excruciating work, as prisoners. Overall in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, it demonstrates it is best to worry about oneself first, then about the needs of the other prisoners.
If I were to live in a prison camp like Shukhov in the story One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, I think I would be more selfish than selfless to others. I would be sure that I watched myself before I looked to help anyone else. Today I try to help others who are less fortuante then me by dontating old clothes or volenteering my time, but if I were in a prison camp anything like Shikhov everyhting would be different. One thing that I think I would help peeople do is maybe watch over them or back them up creating trust and stabilioty wiht this person. Shukhov did this when he watched over Tsezar's food during the count. Shukhov went out to the count early this way he was back early and could be sure no one stole the package of food Tsezar had recieved. This creates a sense of trust with the person and creates a situation where they maybe have to repay you. There could be a chance where you are able to get extra food like Shukhov did when Tsezar repaid him.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I know I would have a hard time sharing is food. With the amount of work that the prison camps do and the little portiaon that the prisoner recieve I would have a hard time living on what I got never mind giving it to others. I think I would be hiding my food like Shukhov did in the mattress or my coat pockets in order to have some later. If there did come a time when sharing seemed necessary or for some case wanted I think I might be more willing to share my food with a prison official. Through this a prisoner might be able to get extra food from them when or if they repay you. Also if you are evr in trouble with something at the camp an official may be able to help you out. Also you might be able to get some inside ninformation from a guard that no fellow prisoner would know. However a prisoner may make sense to share your food with as well because they know the situation and are in the same position as you are. In conclusion after reading One Day in the LIfe of Ivan Denisovich it seems to make more sense to worry about your own needs more than another's.
I think that it is alright for Ivan to be selfish because he needs to get all for himself. He should not give stuff that keeps him warm or food to other people. He should not be noticed as a selfish person because everyone will hate him. He should be selfish to a certain point. Overall I think its alright to be selfish
ReplyDelete-Tyler Smith
ReplyDeleteShukhov's selfishness was both a disadvantage and an advantage to him. If he did not share his rations with a fellow zek in the camp it was an advantage for him because he did not receive less food for the day. But if Shukhov is selfish, someone might not help him when he is in need. Similarly to Shukhov, I would not always be willing to share. It would depend on the circumstances of the situation because everyone is trying to survive the camp and people could not afford to give away tools, food or clothing. If I shared something of mine with another person in the camp I would gain a feeling of happiness in myself. That person might also seek to return my favor in some way. I would be more willing to share with a prisoner than a prison official. A prisoner would be in the same situation as me which would cause me to be more sympathetic to him, rather than to a prison official. The officials usually had less strenuous jobs than the prisoners and more often than not they received larger food rations.
ReplyDeleteKaitlin McKenzie