In chapter 3 part 4 of The Gulag Archipelago Solzhenitsyn describes the mindset prisoners developed living under a totalitarian regime. The peasants’ exile to terrible places under terrible conditions are detailed. Solzhenitsyn explains how exile became very popular and satisfactory in the eyes of the world, as well as it grew in size and importance. Exile, “made a speedy and reliable and irreversible cleansing of any important region in the “mainland’” (433). This exile occurred after leaving the Archipelago but was almost another type of purgatory because they could not return to the mainland. Even soldiers sent to the Fatherland War were exiled after allowing themselves to be mutilated in order to improve the health of the nation. War heroes are sent to an unknown island with no form of communication to the mainland.
In the Lord of the Rings chapter 9 and 10 Frodo and Sam are led into Shelob’s cave by Gollum. While entering Sam and Frodo do not know that Shelob is there waiting for them, but soon they realize when they see hundreds of tiny eyes staring at them; “Not far down the tunnel, between them and the opening where they had reeled and stumbled, he was aware of eyes growing visible, two great clusters of many-windowed eyes – the coming menace was unmasked at last.” (720) Gollum led them into the cave deceiving Frodo and Sam by first gaining their trust and then using it against them. With this treachery, it is shown how dangerous Gollum is. This scene can be related to the Gulag Archipelago sending their soldiers off to a deserted island. After fighting for the health of their country and risking their lives these soldiers are sent off without another thought, incapable of contacting anyone. This action in a way can also be seen as treachery because they gained the trust of the soldiers to fight for their country and then stab them in the back by sending them away. Also on another note, Sam’s brave actions against Shelob can be related back to the Gulag Archipelago. When Frodo is poisoned by Shelob it is up to Sam to save them, “but almost before she was aware that a fury was upon her greater than any she had known in countless years, the shining sword bit upon her foot and shore away the claw. Sam sprang in, inside the arches of her legs, and with a quick upthrust of his other hand stabbed at the clustered eyes upon her lowered head. One great eye went dark.” (729) This scene can be related back to The Gulag Archipelago because it shows how in times of hardship anyone could have the potential to be a hero or do heroic things. No matter their social standing, anyone is capable of great things especially during life or death situations.