The Death Of Ivan Ilyich Summary

Leo Tolstoy pulls no punches when the story of The Death of Ivan Ilyich begins. The revelation that Ivan Ilyich has died was met with dismay and shock for all of the wrong reasons. Colleagues and “friends” became concerned for his death not because of the loss of his life, but for the inconveniences and changes it would cause for them. The lack of sincerity surrounding Ivan became very clear in the opening scenes of the story, and we quickly start to realize that Ivan lived a “false” life. Instead of living his own life sincerely, Ivan was more concerned about doing what is expected from him by those that he sees as belonging in high social standings and what the elite class thinks is “right”: a life dominated by materialism and disregard for …show more content…
Gerasim in The Death of Ivan Ilyich was the only character in the story that the reader can sympathize with and for. Ivan felt this way too, in that it was the only time in the story where Ivan actually felt like he wanted someone around. After Gerasim helps Ivan, Ivan realizes that he “felt his presence such a comfort that he did not want to let him go” (Tolstoy 766). While characters like Peter Ivanovich and even his own wife Praskovya were shown as false and almost lifeless, Gerasim is filled with a positive energy. Gerasim was portrayed throughout the story as strong and genuine, even when he comes from not-so-high social standings. He wasn’t part of the elite but is rather simply a butler, and yet he is the only one in the story that is shown to have good character. In fact, Gerasim was the only one who ever told Ivan the truth in the story and was the only one that saw his sickness for what it was. It was because of this that Ivan felt ease only when he was with Gerasim. Gerasim was said to be the one that didn’t disguise his feelings for Ivan, and even pitied Ivan the way he wanted to. Gerasim acknowledges that Ivan is actually sick, and even in the very end, Ivan only wanted Gerasim by his side and not his own family members. He tells his family several …show more content…
Gerasim, full of sincerity, was also portrayed as the healthiest out of the characters and had the best moral standing. Even among Ivan’s colleagues and family, no one truly mourned for his death, and saw it more of an opportunity or inconvenience rather than the loss of someone dear. Tolstoy mocks those who believe that living life by others’ expectations leads to a life that is pleasant, and that living an authentic and good life meant taking care of your spiritual being and nurturing the connections you have around