The Death of Ivan Ilyich
The Death of Ivan Ilyich is a classic novel that is widely considered one of Leo Tolstoy's greatest works of late fiction. It was written after Tolstoy's religious conversion in the late 1870s. This novel is an exploration of the fear of death that many people experience. It also explores the pain that dying can bring. It is a well-written story about life and death.
Ivan Ilyich's Fear of Death
Ivan Ilych's fear of death reflects a common theme in Tolstoi's works, including the difficulty of accepting death. Death is a mystery that is hard to understand, but Tolstoi uses this as an opportunity to explore life and its meanings.
Ivan Ilyich's Physical Pain and Depression
As Ivan Ilyich's body begins to weaken, he suffers physical pain. This pain is so intense that it can be heard through closed doors. As a result, Ilyich becomes deeply depressed. His life has been a waste, and he is convinced that it has been in vain.
The Illusion of a Meaningful Life
The book shows that life isn't as meaningful as we may believe. Ivan has lived his entire life under the illusion of achieving success and a happy life, and he spends his dying days under the delusion that he is losing everything. Once his illusions are destroyed, Ivan begins to understand what it means to die and what life is truly about.
The Conflict in Human Existence
Tolstoy shows this conflict in human existence by depicting human life as a struggle between an inner and outer world. In Ivan's case, this conflict is manifested in a rift between the spiritual and physical world. In his life, Ivan tries to make the best of his material circumstances, but this doesn't make him happy. He clings to material things, but in the end, he only sees happiness as a means to achieve his desires.
The Comfort of Compassion
During his dying years, Ivan Ilyich struggles with his fear of death. He finds comfort in his friend Gerasim, who shows him compassion. Unlike his family, Ilyich's family doesn't want to discuss his death, and he feels betrayed by them. In contrast, Gerasim, his servant, offers his master a chance to reflect on his life.
Ivan Ilyich's Fear of Dying
Ivan Ilyich is a man who is terrified of dying. He has lived his whole life trying to make society happy, but he's not sure he'll live forever. When he discovers that he's going to die, he realizes that he's only lived a superficial life. The novel shows us the shallowness of the bourgeoisie, and shows us how the fear of dying can become overwhelming.
A Meditation on Death
As his illness progresses, Ivan comes to realize that he will die soon. He must stop thinking about death in medical terms and start thinking about his own death. In a way, he's learning about death, and perhaps his own soul. In a sense, the book is a meditation on death, because a fear of dying should not be something that prevents you from living fully.
The Stepping Stone of Death
Ivan Ilyich's fear of dying is one of the major themes of Tolstoy's novel. Tolstoy explains that death is a natural part of life. However, he teaches us that death is a stepping stone toward better positions. Death may come unexpectedly, but we must not allow it to control our lives.
The Deception of Mortality
Ivan Ilych's fear of dying begins to manifest itself when he sees that people he cares about are deceiving about their own mortality. During his life, Ivan Ilych has been told that he was not going to die, and that he would have to undergo treatment. Yet he's forced to take part in this lie. Later, he realizes that he's been lying about his own mortality.
Ivan Ilyich's Pain and Awakening
The film Ivan Ilych reveals that Ivan Ilych's life was not a happy one. He was filled with pain and uncertainty, but it was his suffering that made him change. This pain shaped his character and made him understand how little he truly cared for anyone. His only friend was his son Vasya, who was too young to fully embrace the vices of society. His final words, "It's over," reflect the fact that his life was not worth living.
Ivan Ilyich's Final Days and Repentance
Ivan Ilych's condition worsens gradually, and he begins to feel weakness and discomfort. He also realizes that his life is coming to an end, and he sinks into depression. He is a victim of his own illness and he doesn't know when he'll die. His family refuses to understand his situation, but his manservant shows compassion.
The Inescapability of Death
In the end, Ivan Ilych repents, but his family refuses to listen to him. The novel's climax is a sweeping scene that portrays the inescapability of death and the pain it causes. Tolstoi, like many writers before him, tries to portray the pain of death as an awakening to one's own soul. Tolstoi demonstrates the difficulty of accepting death, but at the same time he manages to convey the notion that death is necessary for a life to come to an end.
An Empty Life and Awakening
During his last days, Ivan realizes that he has been living an empty life and has only had the illusion of a good life. Now, he faces death and discovers the true meaning of life and death. It is his awakening that finally makes him question his entire life. Ivan also realizes that he may have been wrong the whole time.
