Question

What attitude towards death is visible in Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilyich”? Mention at least three points of discussion.

Answer 1

point 1:-I think Tolstoy wrote this masterpiece to illustrate the worthlessness of materialism. Ivan wanted to move up in society and desired for wealth and power. However, even though he continued to ascend governmental ranks and earned praise from the public, Ivan started ignoring his own family. Hence, he secluded himself from his family, which slowly deteriorated the relationship he was having with them. I think Tolstoy showed the gradual deterioration of Ivan’s body not only as a symbol , but also of Ivan’s pretending in faking his strength over the chance of death. Hence, it seems as if Tolstoy believes that to solve these problems is much needed human interaction. Rather than erecting barriers in front of people, one should destroy them on behalf of deeper human interaction. Then, could one liberate himself from high society’s constraints, and finally experience peace like Ivan before he died.

point 2 :-Even though Tolstoy illustrated Ivan Ilyich’s life as one of petty materialism and illusory exteriors, his repentance of his life on his deathbed is enough to redeem him in the eyes of the Lord. The description of the revelation Ivan undergoes two hours before dying, in which he realizes that his life was entirely selfish and meaningless, is rich with religious imagery, showing the protagonist undergoing a radical process of change: “At that very moment Ivan Ilych fell through and caught sight of the light, and it was revealed to him that though his life had not been what it should have been, this could still be rectified.”

point 3 :-I found it interesting when Ivan realized that he was causing sadness and pain for his family, and that things would be easier for them once he has died; in this moment, it seems as though Ivan finds relief. Overall, I think that Tolstoy meant to show that since Ivan was so preoccupied throughout his entire life worrying about what he wanted to accomplish next, rather than spending loving time with his family, the major part of his life became his death; something that Ivan was so afraid of became his defining feature.