Part I, Chapter 41, A Breath of Oxygen Summary and Analysis

In Part I, Chapter 41, the "Northern Worker" carries the news of Lenin's widow's death. This causes Ginzburg to reflect on how the older, more decent people were dying off or being killed. One day, the window fans in the cells are shut off to deprive the prisoners of fresh oxygen, and only turned on for exercise thereafter.

As older members of the Revolution die off or are killed, Ginzburg reflects sadly on the state of the country's affairs. The oxygen supply, already choked, is further reduced, making every breath difficult. Though it is not mentioned why this occurs, the answer is fairly obvious: the wardens want to make life unbearable for prisoners. They can get by reading and attempting to settle into a routine, but to deprive them of...