It is only during the period near his death that he realizes what gives his life meaning. Through his interactions with his helper, Gerasim, he realizes that he and the people around him like his wife and acquaintances are living artificial lives. Tolstoy is able to express to his readers his belief that a life lead by selfish desires for material possessions is a life wasted for nothing. Tolstoy, through his character Ilyich, is able to show that life can only be given value by empathizing with others, understanding their needs and placing importance in the bonds and feelings created between individuals. Only near his death that Ilyich realizes that his wife and associates who disregard his deteriorating condition because of their focus on their own selfish agendas are truly pitiable for their inability to understand what truly is important. It is ironic because Ilyich finally understands only through associating with Gerasim, a lower class individual who truly showed compassion and kindness, instead from his family and the aristocrats who are blinded by
It is only during the period near his death that he realizes what gives his life meaning. Through his interactions with his helper, Gerasim, he realizes that he and the people around him like his wife and acquaintances are living artificial lives. Tolstoy is able to express to his readers his belief that a life lead by selfish desires for material possessions is a life wasted for nothing. Tolstoy, through his character Ilyich, is able to show that life can only be given value by empathizing with others, understanding their needs and placing importance in the bonds and feelings created between individuals. Only near his death that Ilyich realizes that his wife and associates who disregard his deteriorating condition because of their focus on their own selfish agendas are truly pitiable for their inability to understand what truly is important. It is ironic because Ilyich finally understands only through associating with Gerasim, a lower class individual who truly showed compassion and kindness, instead from his family and the aristocrats who are blinded by