How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
An old Hungarian had been surprised there by death. He lay there like hunger personified: head and shoulders under a pile of earth, belly in the snow, hands stretched out towards the potatoes. (17.112)
This image is one of the most devastating and memorable images of perseverance in the book. Even though death is close at hand, this poor old man still digs in the ice for potatoes to eat. In his death, he is frozen in the act of trying to do what it takes to survive.