One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich: Section 3 Summary & Analysis

The guards typically search the prisoners quickly, simply making sure they are not carrying extra rations to eat should they try to escape, letters, or unregulated clothing. In the past they’d taken everybody’s rations and put the food into a single box to be carried out to work. The Zeks would worry that their ration would be given to someone else, which caused great turmoil among the gangs, pitting even friends against one anther. This stopped, however, after some prisoners stole a work vehicle and the collected rations during an escape. But today, since Volkovoy is present, they command the prisoners to lift their jackets and unbutton their shirts to search for extra clothing.

Shukhov welcomes the search knowing that he is not hiding anything. He notes that beneath his jacket is a human chest, and beneath that, his soul. They discover that Tsezar and Buynovsky are wearing unregulated clothing. When the guards mark him down, Buynovsky tells them it’s against article 9 of the Criminal Code. The guards don’t care what the code says, and tell him he doesn't know the law. He tells the guards and Volkovoy they are not acting like communists. Volkovoy gives him ten days in the cells for the comment, which will start after the workday, as not to lose a laborer for the day.

After the search, the cold has gotten beneath the Zeks’ clothing and is there to stay. Shukhov notices his back is aching and he wishes he could be in the camp infirmary covered in blankets. As the prisoners button up their clothing, the guard yells for them to begin moving. They move, “like a flock of sheep” and are halted by the first gate to be counted. The guards light a fire by the gate to keep themselves warm and provide light to count the prisoners. The prisoners are counted again at the second gate as well. None of the guards dare make a mistake, as that would mean they’d have to work with the Zeks for the day.

The prisoners begin marching with the guards surrounding them with guns, pointing guns in their faces. Some of the guards walk dogs that bear their teeth at the prisoners. The guards all wear sheepskin coats. Some wear long coats that were not claimed by those manning the watchtowers.

Buynovsky explains that the air is always coldest at sunrise. Buynovsky, who was a naval captain, is fond of explaining things. The narrator notes that Buynovsky is fading under the stress of the camp and it is visible in cheeks, which are sunken, but he has guts.

The chief escort guard recites the “morning prayer”, as Shukhov calls it, while the group marches. The “prayer” is a list of marching orders, with a warning that any prisoner who steps out of line will be shot.

It hasn't snowed for a week and the path is flattened, which causes the wind to lash at the men’s’ faces. The prisoners tie thin pieces of cloth over their faces to provide a barrier form the cold. From time to time the guards yell at the prisoners, “U48, hands behind your back!” or “B502, Keep up!” As they carry on, however, the guards stop shouting because of the cold. The guards are not allowed to wear anything on their faces, and Shukhov recognizes that the guards’ job is not easy either.

The prisoners sink into their thoughts on the walk to work, and Shukhov notes that a prisoner’s thoughts are imprisoned like the prisoners themselves. Shukhov’s thoughts continue to go to the same places: would the guards the food hidden in his mattress? Would he have any luck with the doctors that night? Would they put Buynovsky in the prison? He is hungry, and to draw his focus away from the ache, he thinks about a letter he will soon be sending home.