Fetyukov Character Analysis in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

Known by as “The Scrounger”, he depicts the way the Gulag ravages an individual’s dignity. As opposed to Shukhov, who takes pride in his resourcefulness, skills, and principals, Fetyukov is constantly begging and scrounging for food, cigarettes, and other supplies. What goods he does receive through scrounging and begging, which amounts to quite a bit considering the poverty of the camp, he hoards for himself. His lousy work ethic also contrasts the pride and effort Shukhov puts into his work, leading to a general sense of disrespect from his fellow Zeks.

Fetyukov Character Timeline in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

The timeline below shows where the character Fetyukov appears in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...clothing with white numbers painted on them, but there are great distinctions in the squad. Fetyukov, the lowest ranking member of the gang, gives Shukhov his food, telling him he almost... (full context)

...and the desire he feels for it is stronger than the desire for freedom itself. Fetyukov, “the jackal” as Shukhov refers to him, is eyeing the cigarette too. Shukhov, however, does... (full context)

As the prisoners sit around, Shukhov watches Fetyukov walk around collecting cigarette butts, which he breaks apart and rolls into a piece of... (full context)

Buynovsky tells Fetyukov to stop picking up the cigarette butts, that he is going to catch diseases that... (full context)

...other wall, another stove burns in order to dry the sand to make the mortar. Fetyukov and Buynovsky are bringing wheelbarrows of sand to dry on it. The narrator notes that... (full context)

Fetyukov and Buynovsky edge up to the stove to warm up. Tyurin drives them off and... (full context)

...others tell him to wait, and so he stands there confused about whom to obey. Fetyukov had found a cozy corner and had his boots up to the heat of the... (full context)

Fetyukov chimes in, asking Shukhov if he thinks having your throat slit in your bunk is... (full context)

...out his spoon, removes his hat, and begins eating. Shukhov grows nervous as he sees Fetyukov standing in front of Pavlo, eyeing the extra bowls. He takes out the piece of... (full context)

...sailed the world, looks at the bowl of oatmeal as if it is something miraculous. Fetyukov shoots an angry look at Shukhov and Buynovsky, and leaves. Tsezar’s bowl of oatmeal is... (full context)

...then give Shukhov enough for a single cigarette. As Shukhov lights the cigarette, he notices Fetyukov glaring at him from across the room. He reflects that he might have given him... (full context)

Buynovsky and Fetyukov are assigned to carry mortar. Buynovsky goes slowly at first because the ramps are steep... (full context)

...it, meaning there will be another miscount, which means an additional count. He notices that Fetyukov was out of line bumming a cigarette from another Zek. The guard strikes Fetyukov in... (full context)

...about their service. Shukhov ponders the irony of decorated naval officers working alongside men like Fetyukov. The Zeks continue to walk at a steady pace as the guards yell at them... (full context)

The other men arrive, and Shukhov distributes the bowls. Fetyukov arrives, but leaves quickly to go scrounge for leftovers. He puts Pavlo and Tyurin’s supper... (full context)

...metal, figuring it will take a few days to turn it into a good knife. Fetyukov returns to the barracks sobbing with his face speared with blood—he’d been beaten for scrounging... (full context)