The Oprichniki maintain their community that carries out violence through a complex system of rituals and symbols that not only reinforce their sense of belonging and purpose, but also serve to intimidate and control the general population. The Oprichniki are feared and despised by many ordinary Russians, who see them as a symbol of the tsar's oppressive regime. However, the Oprichniki use their rituals and symbols to project an image of power and invincibility, which serves to reinforce their control over the population. One of the key ways in which the Oprichniki maintain their community is through their uniforms and symbols. They wear black robes with yellow sashes and a yellow monogram of the tsar on their sleeves. They also wear white hoods with earflaps, which they refer to as "muzzles," that serve both as a disguise and as a symbol of their identity as a group. The Oprichniki also have a secret handshake and a secret language that reinforces their exclusivity and sense of belonging. One of the key symbols used by the Oprichniki is the wolf, which is a recurring motif throughout the novel. The Oprichniki see themselves as wolves, and they use wolf imagery in their symbols, such as the wolf's head on their official seal. The …show more content…
Those who support the tsar and the idea of a strong, centralized state are more likely to support the Oprichniki, while those who oppose the tsar or who believe in greater individual freedoms are more likely to be critical of the Oprichniki's actions. The Oprichniki, however, have a view of coercion on those who support, and do not support them, saying "The Oprichniki are feared and respected by all. We are the embodiment of the tsar's power, the living symbol of his authority. Those who oppose us do so at their peril, for we will not hesitate to use all of our power to crush them." (p.30