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Bread
Tsezar’s parcel symbolizes the worldly pleasures the men are denied within the gulag. Tsezar is the envy of the men of Gang 104, as the contents of his parcels allow him to assuage his hunger and grant him the ability to attain special privileges by paying off the guards. But even though Tsezar receives help with his physical needs, he struggles to adapt to camp life and develop the skills that allow a Zek to survive successfully in the camp. In fact, his parcel makes him a target in the camp, as shown by his fear of losing the contents during the count. In this way, the parcel depicts the futility of investing oneself in the material world. This idea is furthered upon considering Tsezar’s name. “Tsezar” translates to the name “Caesar” in English, who signifies power and privilege in the Bible, and Jesus famously instructs that his followers should "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's” (Matthew 22:21)—to separate the spiritual from the material, with an emphasis on the importance of the spiritual. Although the Zek’s situation seems as far from “the kingdom of God” as one could possibly go, Alyoshka does find happiness and meaning in the camp by turning away from the material world that Tsezar’s parcel represents, and Shukhov shares this sense of joy after he shares his bread freely with Alyoshka.
Tsezar’s Parcel Quotes in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
The One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich quotes below all refer to the symbol of Tsezar’s Parcel. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Section 12
Quotes
Even eight years as a convict hadn’t turned him into a jackal—and the longer he spent at the camp the stronger he made himself.
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Tsezar’s Parcel Symbol Timeline in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
The timeline below shows where the symbol Tsezar’s Parcel appears in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Section1 (Shukhov wakes up to Kolya taking Shukhov’s temperature)
...he’d received. This could be his last opportunity to buy any for a month because parcels are only allowed once a month and the supply is limited. He decides to go...
(full context)
Section 7 (The news of the murdered stoop pigeons to Tyurin’s story)
...will give him his bowl. He notes that it’s unlikely since Tsezar hasn’t received a parcel for more than two weeks.
(full context)
Section 8 (Tyurin’s story to the end of the work day)
...Kildigs looks at him funny. Kildigs doesn't have to worry about working because he receives parcels that help him survive. Eventually Kildigs gets up because you can’t keep the gang waiting...
(full context)
Section 10 (Arrival at the camp to Tsezar’s arrival at the parcel room)
As the search begins, Shukhov tells Tsezar he will go wait at the parcel room and save his place in line. Tsezar tells him that there may be no...
(full context)
After passing through the count, Shukhov hurries off to the parcel room. Tyurin must stay behind to report the day’s work. Tsezar walks calmly toward the...
(full context)
Upon entering the parcel room, Shukhov imagines someone coming up to tell him that a parcel has arrived for...
(full context)
Section 12 (The purchase of the tobacco to Shukhov’s going to bed)
Shukhov hurries back to barracks 9 so he doesn't miss Tsezar’s arrival with his parcel. Tsezar has already arrived, and has the contents of his parcel out on his bed....
(full context)
...explains that one would expect a man to be overjoyed at the arrival of a parcel, but before even opening it a Zek is already scheming on how to get more....
(full context)
As Shukhov gets his valenki on, notices the contents of Tsezar’s parcel are on his bunk. Shukhov notes that he should have taken the items directly to...
(full context)
...Shukhov is not the first back in, but he watches for anyone messing with Tsezar’s parcel. He quickly puts his boots near the stove and goes back to his bunk, yelling...
(full context)
...and a piece of sausage. Shukhov thanks him and tells him to hand up his parcel to hide in Shukhov’s bed.
(full context)
The count goes smoothly, and Shukhov returns to bed. He hands Tsezar’s parcel back to him. As Alyoshka enters the room Shukhov notes that his problem is that...
(full context)
