Ivan Denisovich Shukov

In the novella “A Day on the Life of Ivan Denisovich” by Alexander Tvardovsky, the main character Ivan Denisovich Shukov, referred to as Shukov in the novella, fines a way to utilize every opportunity of freedom he has to better his ten-year sentence in the prison work camp. Shukov has little freedom. He is forced to work all day, has limited food rations, and works with a random group of prisoners to which he was assigned. Though life in the camp is far from pleasant Shukov seems to find his own sense of freedom in the camp.
Shukov is forced to work from early in the morning to final count at night. He has no say in what kind of work he does, and is working in the freezing cold. Yet, Shukov still seems to take pride in whatever work he is
Shukov works with a variety of prisoners that come from different countries and social classes. Some are illiterate and others are well educated. Shukov becomes friends with a man in his gang named Tsezar. He begins to do favors for Tsezar in order to get his hand on extra food. At one point Shukov, offers to wait in line for Tsazars parcel. He figure that there will most likely be food inside, so he was hoping that Tsazars would give him his dinner. His plan works, He waits in line for a couple of hours and then Tsazars gives him his supper. Shukov is able to find freedom, through becoming friendly with his fellow gang members.
In conclusion, Ivan Denisovich Shukov is sentenced to 10 years in the work camp because he was accused of treason, which he didn’t actually commit. Shukov knows that he is innocent, but he also know there is nothing he can do about it. In the labor camp in Siberia he is put to work all day for no pay in the freezing cold, he gets little food, and works along side all types of men. Shukov has almost know freedom in this prison, but he manages to take advantage of what he can by learning new skills, leaving time for himself, and making relationships with the people around