ENGL 1102 Study Guide and Notes
Tolstoy: The Death of Ivan Ilych
Talking points and vocabulary:
Marxist literary criticism
The best critical approach for this novella is actually a combination of Marxism
through a Christian lens (yes that IS an oxymoron, but don’t worry about). Tolstoy
believed that Christ commanded his followers to live in poverty. A Marxist critic
will notice immediately the contrast between the wealthy but miserable Ivan Ilych
and the poor but joyful Gerasim. Note Tolstoy’s physical description of Gerasim
as bright, filled with joy, clean, and fresh. Gerasim is all of these things despite
the fact that his job is to handle filth (cleaning II’s commode, toting coal, and
chopping wood).
materialism
Ivan Ilych is a materialist – he loves and worships money. His primary goal in life
is to make more money and to have nice things. As result of his dedication to the
pursuit of wealth, he neglects his family and forms friendships with like-minded
people. Note that his friends’ first concern when they learn of his death is about
who will get promoted next.
the inner life
When II reaches adulthood, he forgets his childhood and the sense of the
miraculous that he once had and loses his conscience (his inner voice). II’s focus
on externals (money, appearances, social standing) leads him to reject all forms
of self-reflection and to give up his inner life.
redemption
Tolstoy achieves a happy ending through the redemption of his anti-hero. Ivan
finds peace in death because he acknowledges that his life was not what it
should have been and comes to feel compassion for others. Because Christ
conquered sin and death on the cross and because Ivan realized that before his
death, he is no longer afraid of dying.
propriety/social correctness as a motif
A motif is a word, phrase, or image with symbolic significance which is related
throughout a text or movie. see materialism
family relationships
There really isn’t any in this story, at least not any good ones.
Quiz
1. Why does Ivan get married? What words would best describe his
married life?
A: Though Ivan Ilych professes to love her, he marries Praskovya Fëdorovna
because it was the socially correct thing to do. The married life can best be
described as a business arrangement. There is no love between them – in fact is
clear that they hate each other: PF wishes II were dead, and II hates PF so much
that he cannot stand to be touched by her.
2. How does Ivan hurt himself? Do you think this is of any
significance?
A: While hanging drapes, he falls off of a ladder and bruises his side. Later that
same spot becomes inflamed and he suffers from acute and gnawing pain. His
exact diagnosis is unknown and unknowable (we as readers simply don’t have
enough information to answer that question). His diagnosis is not nearly as
important as his prognosis – he is dying. The significance of the circumstances
surrounding his injury is that he was mortally wounded while attempting “to
keep up appearances.”
3. What does Ivan want most of all from his family and from others?
A: pity
4. What is the “Caius” syllogism?
A: “Caius is a man, men are mortal, ergo Caius is mortal.” This point is one
which II denies applies to him. He is, at this point in the story, still struggling
with the realization that he is mortal (i.e. subject to death), and he is afraid of
death.
5. How does Gerasim treat Ivan? What does this treatment say about
Gerasim’s moral character in comparison to Praskovya Fëdorovna and
Ivan’s children and friends?
A: Gerasim treats Ivan as he would like to be treated – “do unto others as you
would have them do unto you” is Gerasim’s motto. Gerasim stands in stark
contrast to II’s friends and family because he is the only who shows Ivan
compassion and love. Gerasim is a model of Christian charity.
THE END
Despite the fact that Ivan Ilych dies at the end of the story, the ending is
nevertheless quite positive. Redemption through Christ changes the tone from
bleak to hopeful. Because Ivan Ilych finally feels love and compassion for others
(his wife and children) and repents in his heart, he is able to find peace.