The Death of Ivan Ilych

A detailed Summary of The Death of Ivan Ilych

When reading a piece of literature, a protagonist can often times make a discovery which can make the protagonist view life in a different way. This happens with Ivan Ilych, the protagonist in the short story, "The Death of Ivan Ilych" by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy. Upon making a discovery Ivan Ilych Golovin looks upon life from a different viewpoint which has a profound effect on the overall work.

While Ivan Ilych lives his simple and ordinary life he discovers that he is dying and how morally wrong his life has become. Due to some unknown disease, Ivan Ilych becomes aware of a pain in his side that through numerous doctors' help could not be cured. "Can it be that it is death? And the inner voice answered: Yes, it is Death." Having this massive blow, Ivan Ilych can not help but question his life's path and discovers his wrongs in life "All you have lived for and still live for is falsehood and deception, h

iding life and death from you." The people in Ivan Ilych's society, including Ivan Ilych, impersonate what they are suppose to be and are not true to themselves. When trying to defend his life, Ivan Ilych looks back on his life and discovers that the accumulation of wealth, political power, a big house, an attractive wife, are meaningless.

Ivan Ilych's discovery of finding he is going to die due to an illness makes him look at life in a new way. He learns due to his wrongful past he must rectify his life and come to terms that he is dying. "It was revealed to him though his life had not been what it should have been, this could still be rectified." He tries to ask for his family's forgiveness because in the past he detaches himself emotionally, and is afraid of dying alone. Now knowing that "death" is the one knocking on his door Ivan Ilych must come to terms with it and face death head on. At first, he is sti

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Approximate Word count = 622
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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The Death of Ivan Ilych

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