The Death of Ivan Ilych

A detailed Summary of The Death of Ivan Ilych

Leo Tolstoy, born in Russia in 1828, wrote The Death of Ivan Ilych. The story was written eight years after Tolstoy's spiritual conversion and was inspired by his own brother's death. The Death of Ivan Ilych has several ironies expressed in the story. Ilych expressed his denial, anger, depression and acceptance towards dying very visibly.

Ilych expressed denial of his condition when he laughed about his accident. Ilych was explaining to the upholsterer how he wanted the drapes to hand and he slipped off the ladder. He hit his side against the knob of the window frame. He told his wife it was only a bruise. Since he was fairly athletic, he said he did not get seriously hurt, but if it had been any other man they might have been killed from the accident. Within a short time, Ilych's condition became more intense and it was decided that he needed a second opinion because he was not getti

Ilych's condition caused him to express a great deal of depression. Deep in his heart he knew he was dying but could not get used to the fact. He began to sleep less and less and was given Opium and hypodermic shots of Morphine; the drugs did little to calm him. The special food fixed for him became tasteless and was sickening. The butler, Geraim's assistance, would make Ilych as comfortable as possible. One evening Ilych moved his legs from Gerasim's shoulders, turned on his side and felt sorry for himself. He wept like a child because of his helplessness, loneliness and anger with God. He felt God had forsaken him. Ilych lost all hope on life and was so depressed he questioned God as to why was he doing this to him.

Ivan finally expressed the acceptance of his condition. He would no longer lie in bed but instead he would lie on the sofa all the time. He began to ask himself the same question over and over, "what is this? Can this be death?" His conscience, or inner voice said to him "yes, it is death." His wife began to remind him about taking hi

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Approximate Word count = 721
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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The Death of Ivan Ilych

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