Although Shukhov does not think or talk about religion for the bulk of the novel, his final conversation with Alyoshka, a devout Baptist, reveals that faith can be a means of survival in the oppresive camp system. Shukhov's interest in Alyoshka's discussion of God, faith, and prayer marks Shukhov's expansion beyond his usual thoughts of work, warmth, food, and sleep. Alyoshka's urging of Shukhov to pursue things of the spirit rather than things of the flesh renders Shukhov speechless, as if he is deeply reflecting on this philosophy. More important, he actually follows this advice in giving Alyoshka one of his biscuits, voluntarily sacrificing a worldly good. Shukhov's sense of inner peace in the novel's last paragraph, which resembles Alyoshka's sense of inner peace throughout the novel, demonstrates that religious faith offers strength in the face of adversity.
             One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich is a novel by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn , set in a Russian work camp in the 1950s Centuries. The novel describes a single day for Ivan Denisovich, most commonly referred to as Shukhov. The novel was originally written in Russian , so it should be noted that any English copy is a translation For alternative meanings see Translation. Shukhov has been sentenced to the concentration camp. because he was captured as a prisoner of war in World War II. His sentence is for ten years, but the book indicates that most people never leave the camps. The final paragraph perhaps suggests that Shukhov serves exactly ten years -- no more and no less -- but this is not completely clear.
             The day begins with Shukhov waking up sick. For waking late, he is sent to the guardhouse and forced to clean it -- an unfair punishment, but minor compared to others mentioned in the book. When Shukhov is finally able to leave the guardhouse, he goes to the dispensary to report his illness. Since it is late in the morning by now, the ...