Chapter 6, Part 7 Summary

Yakov describes his great pleasure in the small things in life. He enjoys eating eggs and potatoes with sour cream. He likes his work and his ambition. All of this weighs on him now, as he has nothing to do, even nothing to do with his mind.

Yakov uses splinters and sticks to keep track of the days. He thinks it might be January, but he is a month ahead. No one will tell him what time of year it really is. Yakov is depressed in the low light of Russian winter. It is dark by around three in the afternoon. One day, Yakov loses his cool. He shreds his ragged clothing and finally screams out in fury against the hateful prison officials. They bring him more clothing, but the brief time spent naked makes Yakov chilled for weeks.

Chapter 6, Part 7 Analysis