In the short story "Condensed Milk," by Russian author Varlam Shalamov (1907-1982), the protagonist appears to have two main motivations: hunger and revenge.

The protagonist's name is never revealed. He is a prisoner at a Gulag, a Russian forced-labor camp. He is sick from exhaustion and starvation, and emotionally dulled to the lack of empathy and dignity of his condition.

When another prisoner, who is treated much better than the protagonist, offers him a chance to escape, the protagonist almost immediately realizes the whole thing is a trap. He lies to the man, tells him he agrees with escaping as long as he is brought some condensed milk to eat. At this moment, hunger seems to be the main motivation:

I fell asleep and in my ragged hungry dreams saw Shestakov's can of condensed milk, a monstrous can with sky-blue label.

When he is brought two cans, the protagonist drinks their contents to only then reveal he does not intend to participate in the plan. This where we find out about his need for revenge. He knows Shestakov is a traitor:

It was, of course, a weak, worthless act of vengeance just like all my feelings.

NOTE: I know the question asks only for two or three sentences, but I found it important to add context to the answer. Feel free to edit and shorten it.

Learn more about "Condensed Milk" here:

brainly.com/question/19580378?referrer=searchResults

8 0

3 years ago

Harvest Moon poem multiple choice questions with answers

qaws [65]

Answer:

there's no question and no picture so what do I go off of ?

7 0

4 years ago

I need help with this assignment pls

Tanya [424]