Alexander Solzhenitsyn uses irony in his novel to add a cynical aspect to the novel in order to give the reader a better understanding of various aspects of life conveyed in the novel. In One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Alexander Solzhenitsyn uses irony to depict the social hierarchy created within the gulag, the harshness and cruelty of Russian prison life, the social hierarchy within the gulag and the attempt to destroy human solidarity to convey the theme of the endurance of humanity. .
In the novel, Solzhenitsyn portrays a hierarchy that exists between prisoners inside the camp as opposed to those who work outside of the camp. The lack of amenities or even necessities in the camp forces the prisoners to turn against each other in order to survive. Irony is also used in the novel to exhibit the instability of a prisoner's life and to emphasize the hierarchy that exists within the camp, despite attempts to create total equality among the prisoners. Tsezar receives a new hat that is in mint condition and the numbers on his jacket are well painted, looking new while the rest of the prisoners" clothes are not in good quality. Tsezar for example is apparent to be part of the upper hierarchy among the prisoners in the camp- he works in a comfortable place and has food brought to him by other prisoners. This proves to be ironic because despite the guards" objectives to maintain equality within the camp, certain prisoners are better off than others, in the sense of position. "Tsezar was well off he greased every palm that needed to be greased and worked in the office in a cushy job, as assistant to the rate inspector" (Solzhenitsyn 36).
Another character that exemplifies the social hierarchy created within the camp is Tiurin, the squad leader. Even though he is a prisoner at the camp, he is treated differently than the other prisoners due to the fact that he is the squad leader.