Part I, Chapter 16, Can You Forgive Me Summary and Analysis

In Part I, Chapter 16, one month after her arrest, Garey reveals to Ginzburg that far more brutal methods of interrogation are to be employed. Lyama and Ginzburg get a cellmate, a graduate student named Ira Yegereva, who has been accused of belonging to a rightwing group. Other Communist officials are even arrested, lending credence to Garey's theory about Stalin eliminating potential contenders. Garey's new cellmate is Secretary Abdullin, whom treated Ginzburg with contempt during a hearing prior to her expulsion.

Abdullin is interrogated harshly and brought back to his cell unconscious. Lyama, Ginzburg, and Ira secretly manage to get him food and cigarettes to keep his strength up. Abdullin apologizes to Ginzburg.

Now, with the supposed conspiracy against the Communist government widening, lower Party officials themselves are being targeted...