Part 1, Chapter 4 Summary and Analysis

"The Bluecaps" examines the psychology of the Organs who, in continuity with Tsarist political police, wear the color of heaven to cover their black deeds. Solzhenitsyn recalls his third year in university, 1938, when the Komsomol Committee summons students to enter NKVD school and serve the Motherland. When SMERSH strips him of his officer's insignia and march him to headquarters in the company of six former POWs and a German civilian, Solzhenitsyn has the German carry his suitcase, for he is an officer. When the German tires, the others without being asked and without complaint take turns. Men stare with malice at his uniform, relishing his fall and calling for his death, assuming he is a "Vlasov bastard" (traitor). Solzhenitsyn smiles, infuriating them, knowing is innocent of crimes, having understood Stalin's evil secrets and wanting to change Russian life. Solzhenitsyn...