In 3–5 complete sentences, thoroughly explain how the protagonist in your Module One short story handles the conflict he or she faces? What actions or choices does the protagonist make because of the conflict? What is the outcome of the conflict? Provide at least two specific details from the text to support your analysis of how the protagonist deals with the conflict.

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Answer and Explanation:

"Condensed Milk" is a short story by Russian author Varlam Shalamov (1907-1982), who based it on his own experience as a prisoner. Shalamov spent around 15 years at a Gulag, a forced-labor camp.

The unnamed protagonist of the story is very much like Shalamov himself. Most likely arrested for expressing opinions against the political regime, he lives a miserable life at the Gulag. He is sick, weak, and apathetic due to the suffering and starvation.

The conflict is introduced by another character, Shestakov, who has privileges at the Gulag. Shestakov offers the protagonist a chance to escape the camp. However, the protagonist knows this means either death or more time as a prisoner. Nonetheless, instead of directly rejecting the opportunity, he chooses a more interesting approach to deal with the conflict. He asks for some condensed milk to drink, saying he will feel stronger and will be able to escape after drinking it.

He does not have any intention of escaping. He is just using Shestakov to get some delicious food for him. The climax of the story, the point when the conflict is being addressed, is when the protagonist drinks the two can Shestakov has brought him. It is also the point where he reveals his real intentions:

'You know,' I said, carefully licking the spoon, 'I changed my mind. Go without me.'

The protagonist was right. Shestakov was indeed working with the government, and those who tried to escape were either killed or sentenced to more time. But it is interesting to see that the protagonist regards his actions as a revenge - small, but still a revenge. He outsmarted the man who was willing to get him killed. He dealt with the conflict with wit and humor:

It was, of course, a weak, worthless act of vengeance just like all my feelings. But what else could I do?

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