Answer: There was no much emphasis or mention about the cast's cultural background. Certain aspects are based on assumptions. I feel that the historical background is seen most important, to understand the cast's behavior.
Explanation:
Russian author Varlam Shalamov wrote a short story on Condensed Milk. Shalamov spent 15 years of life in Gulag, a camp where Russian forced-labor was being operated. This story narrates his terrifying experiences.
He was a political person, which shows that he was not a regular criminal but has been arrested as a thief. The treatment given to a thief was better than what he has been through. He was arrested based on suspicion as the Stalin Government found him as a threat though he was considered an enemy amongst the people. This is because of expressing his opinion that the Soviet Regime considered/felt inappropriate. Shalamov demonstrated his brilliance despite his deteriorating health at the camp. He was offered help to escape but wasn't fooled either. He lived amongst people whom he couldn't trust anymore.
While going through a harrowing treatment at the camp, the combatant realized that Shestakov was setting a trap. Shestakov was the only person with an office job with privileges. During those times, being with privileges was considered being good with the government and its people. Shalamov was afraid of Shestakov, as they were the only ones working in the field where Shestakov is trained. Shalamov was incredulous as to who had assigned Sestakov for the training and what he might have been offered?. Everything in the camp had to be paid with either another man's blood or his life.
