Chapter 7 "A Good Day," Summary and Analysis

The chapter describes another day of work. This day, however, is a warm day—one of the first warm days of spring. The inmates are thus spared the biting cold of snow and wind. Additionally, the work assignment carries the men far from the prison and into a pleasant, verdant meadow. As they walk, they view a distant brick tower that they had previously erected. The Lager is intended to produce synthetic rubber; the prisoners are constructing a giant synthetic rubber factory, which is nearing physical completion. At noon the prisoners are treated to an exceptional feast—one of their enterprising members has secured ten gallons of extra soup; each man receives six extra pints of soup. The extra soup and the warm weather mellow the overseer and even the day's...