Chapter 5, Part 6 Summary

Yakov is going mad in solitary confinement. He gets a neighbor for a few days and they attempt to communicate with banging and shouting, but are unable to. After a few days, the neighbor is silent and Yakov is frightened and alone again. The guards who deliver the food are often drunk and one morning, the drunken guard neglects to lock the door to Yakov's cell.

Yakov steps into the hallway, afraid of what might happen. He keeps opening the door, stepping near the exit, and then retreating and waiting in fear. Yakov eventually walks into the hall toward the other open door and stops to peek into the neighbor's cell. He sees Bibikov hanging silently from the ceiling from his belt, dead.

Chapter 5, Part 6 Analysis

The book is beginning to show a pattern of sections. Every other section brings hope...