subject: Essay on Leo Tolstoy and the "Death of Ivan Ilych" [print this page] Essay on Leo Tolstoy and the "Death of Ivan Ilych"
Leo Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilych" reveals the absurdity of human existing from the point of view of a judge of a high court in Russia. Ivan Ilych lived a successful life as a member of Russia's upper class. He had money and power. He was recognized as one of the most powerful man in Russia. He had connections with people in high ranking position in the government. For him, he had achieved everything that he ever wanted and dreamed of.
To become a success Ivan Ilych sacrificed a great many things. In order to reach the peak of his career, he had to sacrifice his family. He was a miserable husband to his wife and an uncaring and inattentive father to his children. He was, however, oblivious to what was happening to his family as he could only think about his career all the time.
The conflict in the story took place when he started to feel pain in his body. At first, the pain was bearable which he managed to disregard. However, as time passed, he realized that the pain was starting to become unbearable. At that point, he sought assistance from his doctor who confirmed that he was dying.
At first, he felt anger because he will not enjoy the things that he had worked for. He felt angry at how his life turned out. He was angry at his family and the people around him for their failure to understand the pain he is experiencing.
The climax in the story is when he realized that he had searched for the wrong things in his life. There was the realization that the things that he had longed for such as money and power were immaterial and unimportant. He realized that he could not take to his grave the things that he loved most and craved for.
However, he realized that there was still time to right that wrong that he had done in his life. He realized that there was still time to renew his relationship with his family. "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. He asked himself, "What *is* the right thing?" and grew still, listening. Then he felt that someone was kissing his hand. He opened his eyes, looked at his son, and felt sorry for him. His wife camp up to him and he glanced at her. She was gazing at him open-mouthed, with undried tears on her nose and cheek and a despairing look on her face. He felt sorry for her too."
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