There are two kinds of knowledge: knowledge gain through education or knowledge gain through experience. In the stories, The Death of Ivan Ilyich, A Narrative Life of Fredrick Douglas, A Simple Soul, the authors reveal how the nature of society controls an individual’s life experience through the kind of knowledge he or she obtains. Count Lev Nikolayevich story conveys a message of how access to an education creates opportunity and advancement in society, while Fredrick Douglas and Gustave Flaubert stories deliver a message of how the denial to the right to education and literacy keeps a man ignorant. Although outside knowledge gives a man the tools to create wealth and prosperity, self-knowledge gain through life experience builds character
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Ivan Ilyich’s childhood mirrors the typical lifestyle of a social elite. His father, a Privy Councilor, held a prominent position in society. The nature of society bred into Ivan an attitude of privilege, power, and prestige. From his early youth, Ivan “was by nature attracted to people of high station,” so his father encouraged him to attend the School of Law (Tolstoy 9). Ivan finished well. The outside knowledge he gained through education and literacy complemented the self-knowledge he gained through his life’s experience. Graduated from the School of Law, Ivan “qualified for the tenth rank of the civil service” (Tolstoy 10). As a result of his educational experience, Ivan secured a prominent position in society through his father’s influence. His first post attached him “to a governor as an official for special service” (Tolstoy 10). In official matters, Ivan thrived. In fact, his career as an official, an examining magistrate, a public prosecutor, and judge awarded him power and authority in official matters. It was clear that, Ivan enjoyed the pleasures of life and the acquaintances he gained in his new social circle. After Ivan received the appointment in his former Department of Justice, he began to experience tensions between the aristocratic nature of society and his outlook on …show more content…
She was a servant girl. Her parents were not mentioned in the story, but she seemed self-efficient by finding work for herself. Felicite was poorly educated. The only literary education she received was from Madame Aubain children, Virginia and Paul. Since Felicite was poorly educated, she lived her life through personal experiences. Felicite was loving and compassions towards Madame Aubin and her children. She did not experience learning how to read like Fredrick Douglas. She also did not receive an elite education like Ivan Ilyich. However, her kind-heartedness gained her a life filled with compassion for others. Although Felicite received snarl comments from Madame Aubain such as “My goodness, how stupid are you! (Flaubert 16)” She would not allow Madame Aubain remarks to damper her spirit. She knew Madame Aubain was heartless and society taught to her to master her feeling, so she pitied her. Felicite had a servant’s heart. She even “mourned for her master” when she died (Flaubert 18). Unlike Felicite self-knowledge triumph over both Fredrick and Ivan’s life. She lived life from the seat of her soul and life was fulfilled with content even though she was not
Ivan Ilyich’s childhood mirrors the typical lifestyle of a social elite. His father, a Privy Councilor, held a prominent position in society. The nature of society bred into Ivan an attitude of privilege, power, and prestige. From his early youth, Ivan “was by nature attracted to people of high station,” so his father encouraged him to attend the School of Law (Tolstoy 9). Ivan finished well. The outside knowledge he gained through education and literacy complemented the self-knowledge he gained through his life’s experience. Graduated from the School of Law, Ivan “qualified for the tenth rank of the civil service” (Tolstoy 10). As a result of his educational experience, Ivan secured a prominent position in society through his father’s influence. His first post attached him “to a governor as an official for special service” (Tolstoy 10). In official matters, Ivan thrived. In fact, his career as an official, an examining magistrate, a public prosecutor, and judge awarded him power and authority in official matters. It was clear that, Ivan enjoyed the pleasures of life and the acquaintances he gained in his new social circle. After Ivan received the appointment in his former Department of Justice, he began to experience tensions between the aristocratic nature of society and his outlook on …show more content…
She was a servant girl. Her parents were not mentioned in the story, but she seemed self-efficient by finding work for herself. Felicite was poorly educated. The only literary education she received was from Madame Aubain children, Virginia and Paul. Since Felicite was poorly educated, she lived her life through personal experiences. Felicite was loving and compassions towards Madame Aubin and her children. She did not experience learning how to read like Fredrick Douglas. She also did not receive an elite education like Ivan Ilyich. However, her kind-heartedness gained her a life filled with compassion for others. Although Felicite received snarl comments from Madame Aubain such as “My goodness, how stupid are you! (Flaubert 16)” She would not allow Madame Aubain remarks to damper her spirit. She knew Madame Aubain was heartless and society taught to her to master her feeling, so she pitied her. Felicite had a servant’s heart. She even “mourned for her master” when she died (Flaubert 18). Unlike Felicite self-knowledge triumph over both Fredrick and Ivan’s life. She lived life from the seat of her soul and life was fulfilled with content even though she was not