Part II, Chapter 2, All Sorts to Make a World Summary and Analysis

In Part II, Chapter 2, the train trip becomes similar to prison: searches, meal routines, and ration stops. The women learn about each other, offering poetry, agricultural thoughts on the crops they see in passing from the train, and so on. But the women are in disagreement over Stalin when they discuss politics. Some worship Stalin, and believe he knows nothing of the illegalities that are going on. Others think the entire Soviet system is evil. They nevertheless find common ground by singing songs, averting the argument. Many of the women also commiserate with one another as they miss their children terribly.

They decide to stop quarreling over things like politics and enjoy being together. They recite poetry, but the guards overhear them and demand to...