The "Death of Ivan Ilyich" is a novella by the renowned Russian author Leo Tolstoy. It explores the themes of life, death, and the human condition through the eyes of Ivan Ilyich, a high-ranking judge who is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Key Themes
- The Meaning of Life: The story questions what the purpose of life is and how one should live it.
- The Ignorance of Man: Ivan Ilyich's character highlights the human tendency to ignore the inevitability of death.
- The Search for Redemption: The novella shows the struggle of Ivan Ilyich to find meaning and redemption in his final days.
Characters
- Ivan Ilyich: The protagonist, a high-ranking judge who is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
- His Wife: A self-centered woman who is more concerned with her social status than her husband's suffering.
- His Daughter: A young girl who is unable to comprehend her father's pain.
Plot Summary
Ivan Ilyich, a respected judge, is diagnosed with a terminal illness. As he faces his impending death, he reflects on his life and the choices he has made. He realizes that he has lived a life of superficiality and has neglected his family and his own well-being. In his final days, he seeks redemption and tries to make amends with those he has wronged.
Quotes
- "Death is the only thing that is certain, and yet we do not prepare for it."
- "Life is a dream, and death is the end of the dream."
Related Reading
For more insights into Leo Tolstoy's work, you can explore Tolstoy's other works.