Part II, Chapter 3, The Transit Camp Summary and Analysis

In Part II, Chapter 3, Ginzburg and the other prisoners are forced to march in the hot July sun, surrounded by guard dogs and soldiers. At last they reach the transfer camp to find it divided up into sections according to crime. Medical inspections of the new prisoners are carried out over three days, during which time Ginzburg and the other women socialize with the women who were already in the camp.

Ginzburg is sent to the quarries, which she remarks should have been work reserved for strong, grown men. The male prisoners arrive later, and fill up the adjoining camp. Many women and men try to find old friends and family through the wires. They share what little they have with one another. Words of encouragement and love are passed between...