How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Paragraph). We used H.T. Willetts's translation.
Quote #4
In jail and in the camps Shukhov had lost the habit of scheming how he was going to feed his family from day to day or year to year. The bosses did all his thinking for him, and that somehow made life easier. But what would it be like when he got out? (230)
Shukhov underestimates himself here, to a point, since he's a master schemer in the camps. However, he only schemes for himself in the camps, and relearning the habit of thinking of others rather than competing against them is probably daunting, or scary. It's also really interesting that Shukhov describes camp life as somehow "easier" than life in the outside world. In a way it is simpler – everything in the camps boils down to life or death survival.
Quote #5
Only - would they ever let him go? Maybe they'd slap another ten on him, just for fun? (234)
Shukhov often wonders what "they," the powers that control everything, will do to him in the future. As with everything else in the camp world, even people's sentences are uncertain. There's no telling if they will be ten years or twenty.
Quote #6
His one dream now was to fall sick for two or three weeks. Not fatally, of course, and he didn't want an operation. Just sick enough to be put in the hospital. He could see himself lying there for three weeks without stirring (68)
Shukhov's dream is really telling about how awful life in the camps is. He basically just wants to sleep for an extended period. Considering this, it's really amazing that Shukhov is able to stay as alert as he does throughout the day.