The overarching theme in Part 1 of The Gulag Archipelago and Chapters 13-17 of That Hideous Strength, is that of instilling fear and understanding why people choose to do evil things. There is a swell of people coming into the gulag. These people are referred to as dispossessed kulaks. The number of Kulaks seen from the Gulag was a horrifying sight, “In sheer size, this nonrecurring tidal wave swelled beyond the bounds of anything the penal system of even an immense state can permit itself” (p. 54). Kulaks were people who became rich off their land, being referred to as a Kulak was meant to have a derogatory meaning at the time. The Gulag Archipelago touches on the subject of the history of destruction repeating itself. The path of chaos and horror is repeated by Hitler and Stalin and their impact of terror. Anyone who was disloyal to Hitler and Stalin learned to live in fear. For if it was discovered that someone was plotting against them, they would enact horrible things onto them, just as the kulaks were punished for their betrayals(p. 55). The Kulaks were punished for not lending the government their land and resources.
Mark discovers that Alcasan’s head is not really in charge of N.I.C.E. It is a collection of alien macrobes controlling the dead head. The macrobes use the head to lead N.I.C.E and achieve their goals. The macrobes live above the existence of humans. The inner circle works with the macrobes and follows their orders. Mark realizes that the pull he felt to join the inner circle was similar to the sin of lust. Although Mark no longer trusted N.I.C.E he agreed with whatever they would say so that they would not kill him. N.I.C.E believes only 10% of the population is needed alive on earth. At first, N.I.C.E was thought to be a cooperation focused on the advancements of space. Mark has now been made aware of their bad intentions. The talking head demands another sacrifice from N.I.C.E, which leads Withers to kill Straik(p.332). They listen to the head because it holds power over them. Just as the government held power over the people of Russia during The Gulag Archipelago. In the end, those with power will use it, it comes down to whether or not that person or persons has a good heart and good will. Unfortunately throughout these books, the people with power often use it for harm.