The Meaning of Life Through the Eyes of Ivan Denisovich

What is the meaning of life? This is one of the most frequently asked questions by all of humanity since the beginning of time. It is a question naturally asked by people because they have the ability to make choices about life. The question would appear to be difficult to answer and different for every individual depending on their circumstances. It is the ultimate search for truth and purpose in life, although the meaning of life is believed to be an idea that expresses their true purpose within life. These expressions can be defined within a given proximity in accordance with their current lifestyles. Ivan DenisovichЎЇs lifestyle differs from all aspects of a normal life, for his was depicted within a Siberian work camp in the Soviet Union. Within this camp all that mattered was the amount of food rations attained and the will to live the best he could. Although he was well aware of how things function in the camp, he learned when to work hard and when to take it easy, defining his acute character. The meaning in life through the eyes of Ivan Denisovich was to live a life of integrity and honesty, utilizing an optimistic attitude in all situations, while maintaining his upholding status.

Ivan Denisovich is an old-timer in the prison camp and although he does odd jobs here and there to earn food or favors, he maintains a level of personal integrity. Integrity and honesty can be defined as the quality or state of being unimpaired or of being honest, refraining from lying, cheating, or stealing; being truthful, trustworthy, and upright. IvanЎЇs honesty and integrity have been illustrated in many events that assure his own personal morals to live a life worthy of his own actions. He exemplifies these honorable morals in his actions throughout the entire day, which consisted of pitiful meals and harsh working conditions. He demonstrated his strict morality while eating dinner in the mess hall. ÐŽoYet, this old man is unlike all the other zeks. He sits upright and brings his spoon up to his lips. He does not put his bread on the dirty table, but on his clean rag. Somehow, even through countless years of prison life, he has maintained a sense of dignity.ÐŽ± He manifests his acute morals in all situations regardless of the status in which he is situated. He stands out, even though he is no different from any other, for many were wrongfully imprisoned for actions not justifiable to the communistic government. Not only does he strive to keep his acute morals uncluttered but he also aspires to maintain a conscientious form of integrity in all his actions. With his deal with one of the Estonians ÐŽoThey always shared and share alike and wouldnЎЇt use a single shred of tobacco without the other knowing. They said something to each other under breath and Eino got out his pouch stitched with pink cord. He took some tobacco and put it in ShukovЎЇs hand. Then he had another look and threw in a few more strands just enough to make a cigarette but no more.ÐŽ± Shukov demonstrated his integrity by attaining trust among the prisoners, a trust gained only from his previous engagements of sincere and honest deeds. IvanЎЇs moral values strived close to that of a nobleman maintaining his dignity without stooping to the lower levels of poor desperate men. Although he was an honest and moral man, not all aspects of his purpose in life focuses on his moral but mainly on his optimistic attitude in excruciating situations.

IvanЎЇs optimistic attitude motivated the others around him to perform the given tasks with a can do attitude. To a man, ones aspect of life can aspire a man to perform a great deed with a positive attitude, which Ivan had accomplished within the power plant. The 104th gang was stationed at the power plant to finish the construction of the half built structure, in which all members of the gang were assigned a specific task. Ivan was assigned the task to build up the wall along with the Captain and Alyosha. Shukov turn this mindless assignment into a fun, electrifying event that aspired all members of the gang to perform their duties to the best of their efforts. He had convinced the group to ÐŽodo things rightÐŽ± so that they may return to a well formulated construction zone, unlike the previous group had, to continue their effort in serving out their terms. "But Shukov wasn't made that way--eight years in a camp couldn't change his nature. He worried about anything he could make use of, about every scrap of work he could do--nothing must be wasted without good reason.ÐŽ± Although Tiurin tells them to throw the extra mortar over the wall, Ivan Denisovich works double time to finish it off. Senka takes off but Ivan Denisovich looks the wall over at job well done. Tiurin commended Shukov while informing him that the squad would not be able to live without him when his term is over. Ivan turned many incongruities into inspiring one with a few simple words. He takes the negative attitude and replaces it with a positive aspect more pleasing to others. "And now Shukov complained about nothing: neither about the length of his stretch, nor about the length of the day, nor about their swiping another Sunday. This was all he thought about now: we'll survive. We'll stick it out, God willing, till it's over." He was able to analyze the bad, but was always able to bring out the good in every situation. His attitude made all the difference, not only in his life but also for those around him. He made it his goal to serve his sentence with a positive attitude, making it one of his goals, ultimate a purpose in life that pertains to his meaning of life.

Ivan DenisovichЎЇs heart found sympathy for those who had suffered without a just cause for survival, developing feelings, which allotted him to remain sane throughout his sentence within the work camp. His sanity was part