Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy was born into a life of wealth and distinction on September 9, 1828, in his fathers estate near Moscow. Though he lost his parents at an early age, he received a fine education (yet never a degree), being well-versed in several European languages. Eventually he joined the army, fighting in the Crimean …
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In chapter 9, Tolstoy introduces the central metaphor of the work, that of the sack, which symbolizes the reality of death over the falsity of life. He explains that Ilyich, in his “stupefied misery,” felt he was being pushed through a “narrow, deep, black sack.” This must be some kind of vision he receives in …
In this section, Ilyich begins his 3-day long screaming spell. He continues his “struggle” with the black sack, as he sees himself being pushed further and further downward. Just two hours before he dies, he finally comes to grips with the fact that he has indeed failed to live his life as he should. Tolstoy …
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Even with the translation, Tolstoys language is still beautiful as he details his characters last thoughts: “the gnawing, unmitigated, agonizing pain, never ceasing for an instant, the consciousness of life inexorably waning but not yet extinguished, the approach of that ever dreaded and hateful Death which was the only reality, and always the same falsity.” …
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Trying to screen the thought of his impending death, Ilyich returns to his job in the law courts. Yet this is only a temporary relief, for Tolstoy explains, “nothing could veil It.”
Here, Tolstoy begins to allude to the growing physical pain that Ilyich feels in his side which he struck during his accident. This, in turn, hurts his mood, and he begins to argue more frequently with his wife. Though he consults a doctor, nothing seems to be able to be done for him. He takes …
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Tolstoy begins his next chapter by Ivan Ilyichs life as follows: it “had been most simple and most ordinary and therefore most terrible.” The rest of the chapter is a brief, impersonal account of his life, his career and financial growth, his crumbling marriage, and all such activities he believed to be proper and right …
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While their court case is in some kind of recess, the public officials involved read the daily newspaper, finding out that Ivan Ilyich, their colleague and “friend,” is dead. Not seeming to care for him or his family, the gentlemen immediately begin to speculate over which of them will be promoted to take his position. …
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