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In this edited extract Alexander Solzhenitsyn discusses life in a Soviet labour camp - Leaving Cert History - Question A - 2020
Question A
In this edited extract Alexander Solzhenitsyn discusses life in a Soviet labour camp. Read and answer the questions which follow. There were escort guards all over ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In this edited extract Alexander Solzhenitsyn discusses life in a Soviet labour camp - Leaving Cert History - Question A - 2020
Step 1
How is it shown that security at the labour camp was very strict?
Answer
The extract illustrates strict security by mentioning the presence of armed guards and guard dogs. The guards are described as having their guns pointed directly at the prisoners' faces, with stringent instructions given to ensure no movement away from ranks. Any deviation, such as stepping right or left, resulted in the threat of being shot without warning, highlighting the oppressive nature of their control.
Step 2
How were the prisoners to keep their eyes and their hands?
Answer
Prisoners were instructed to keep their eyes fixed ahead and their hands behind their backs. This demonstrates the strict regulations enforced on the prisoners, forcing them to maintain a disciplined posture and avoiding any distractions or potential escape attempts.
Step 3
According to the extract, what would happen if a prisoner stepped to the right or left?
Answer
If a prisoner stepped to the right or left, it was considered an attempt to escape. In such a case, the escort had orders to shoot without warning, emphasizing the dire consequences of violating the camp's regulations.
Step 4
How is it suggested that the prisoners were marching to work very early in the morning?
Answer
The extract suggests early morning marching by describing the prisoners moving into the steppe straight into the wind, heading for the receding dawn. The reference to the 'reddening dawn' indicates that their march was taking place at an early hour, with the intensity of the cold further implying the harshness of this early start.
Step 5
Why did Soviet leaders regard Solzhenitsyn as a 'dissident writer'?
Answer
Soviet leaders likely viewed Solzhenitsyn as a dissident writer due to his critical portrayal of life in the Soviet labor camps and the oppressive regime. His works challenged the narratives upheld by the state, potentially inspiring dissent among readers and threatening the government's authority.