The world is filled with billions of people which means that no matter where a person lives in Earth, interaction with one’s fellow man is inevitable. In most societies, behavioral norms for members living within that culture form over time and a person’s allegiance to fulfilling these norms and expectations can sometimes lead to an isolated and lonely existence. In The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Leo Tolstoy teaches his readers through the tormented characters that leading a life that is self centered, driven by the constructs of society, and lacking in compassion to one’s fellow man can ultimately lead to unhappiness at one’s death because of the realization that it was a mistake to live their life that way.
Tolstoy demonstrates in various ways …show more content…
The importance of Ivan’s associates’ response to Ivan’s death lies in the fact that it demonstrates how little Ivan must have impacted these men’s lives for them to care so little about his death, and actually deem his death to more of a social burden than a tragedy. These coworkers of Ivan’s were credited to be his closest friends, however none of the men found much grief over Ivan’s death, nor did they wish to go out of their way to pay respects to Ivan and his family after his death. This detachment that is present in between Ivan and his “so-called friends” displays how Ivan made little to no effort to try to genuinely get to know his colleagues and appreciate their company. The fact that these men had no desire to willingly go to Ivan’s funeral without feeling the pressure of social constructs and even felt as far as to think in relief that they were not the one out of the group of them who had died, further demonstrates that their lack of compassion towards Ivan is the result of Ivan showing no care for them during his life.
Tolstoy demonstrates in various ways …show more content…
The importance of Ivan’s associates’ response to Ivan’s death lies in the fact that it demonstrates how little Ivan must have impacted these men’s lives for them to care so little about his death, and actually deem his death to more of a social burden than a tragedy. These coworkers of Ivan’s were credited to be his closest friends, however none of the men found much grief over Ivan’s death, nor did they wish to go out of their way to pay respects to Ivan and his family after his death. This detachment that is present in between Ivan and his “so-called friends” displays how Ivan made little to no effort to try to genuinely get to know his colleagues and appreciate their company. The fact that these men had no desire to willingly go to Ivan’s funeral without feeling the pressure of social constructs and even felt as far as to think in relief that they were not the one out of the group of them who had died, further demonstrates that their lack of compassion towards Ivan is the result of Ivan showing no care for them during his life.