The Death of Ivan Ilych Is An Intense and Emotional Tale of The Life and Death of A Man

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Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilych
The Death of Ivan Ilych is an intense and emotional tale of the life and death of a man
named Ivan Ilych. Although the novella begins in a somewhat backwards manner, after the main
character has already died, it is actually a story of spiritual awakening and self-discovery. The
author, Leo Tolstoy, addresses numerous key issues throughout the text, such as the influence of
society, materialism and morality, and the inevitability and acceptance of death. Ivan Ilych is
depicted by Tolstoy as a fairly average man who has lived his life in the so-called “correct” way
as determined by society. However, as the story progresses it becomes obvious that this society
is corrupt and morality is based highly on materialism and social class. Tolstoy gives a
chronological account of Ivan’s life and the important events, which influence him and shape
him as a main character in the story. Following an accident in which he falls off a ladder and
injures his side, Ivan’s life suddenly begins to change. His decline and eventual death causes
Ivan to face reality and reexamine his and the people in it. Although it is difficult for him to
accept that he may not have lived a morally correct life, the compassion and understanding
shown to him by his servant Gerasim allows him to finally open his eye and see the truth. Ivan’s
enlightenment is clearly illustrated at the end of the story through Tolstoy’s profound words, “In
place of death there was light” (300). In the final pages of the novella, in the clutches of death,
Ivan Ilych is able to face his fears, accept his fate, and discover the true meaning of life.
Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilych is about morality, spirituality, and the right way to
live life. Through the description of Ivan Ilych, an “every man” type of character, the author
shows the influence of society and the impact it can have on an average person’s life. The first
chapter depicts a fraudulent society, devoid of compassion and only interested in their own
selfish gain. Although Ivan sees himself as a “rightly” living man of social importance, his
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perception is skewed by the society in which he lives. Throughout his life he is encompassed
with a need to achieve a position of importance and authority through his judicial career, as well
as the desire for many material possessions, in order to be seen as someone of high social class.
Ivan’s belief that fulfillment and happiness in life will come from personal success and progress
in society is part of his downfall. Instead of relying of his own good instincts to determine how
to live a moral life, he blindly follows the ideas of aristocratic society. Tolstoy’s remarks at the
beginning of the second chapter provide clear evidence of Ivan’s distinct character flaw, “Ivan
Ilych’s life had been most simple and most ordinary and therefore most terrible” (270). It is not
until his fatal decorating accident that he begins to realize the severity of his mistake. However,
even in his slow and agonizing decline Ivan is unwilling to accept that he has not lived a good
and moral life. Tolstoy symbolizes his reluctance through a dream in which Ivan is being thrust
in a black sack but is unable to fall into it. Unfortunately for Ivan it is not until the very end of
his painful ordeal that finally is able to accept the reality of death. This realization is aided by a
particular character who acts as a catalyst in Ivan’s spiritual awakening. Gerasim, who serves as
the family’s butler and later as a nurse to the dying Ivan, shows Ivan care and compassion and
acts as a model for morality. It is through Gerasim that Ivan is finally able to face the truth about
his life, and in doing so is also able to face his imminent death. Looking into his servant’s eyes,
Ivan is able to see the truth about the “great lie” that is his life and, in addition, feel sorry for his
friends and family who continue to live a “false” moral life.
The life lessons revealed to Ivan Ilych in the midst of the reality of his death are the
foundation of his spiritual awakening and allow him to finally find fulfillment and peace. As his
death draws near, Ivan’s pain becomes unbearable. He is plagued by his ongoing battle with the
black sack, as well as his inability to fall into it and be free of his suffering. Finally, in a moment
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of enlightenment, the “false” façade of morality created by the aristocratic society that he once
blindly imitated suddenly disappears and he is left with the realization, “that very justification of
his life held him fast and prevented his moving forward, and it caused him the most torment of
all” (299). In the climactic moment of the story, Tolstoy writes, “some force struck him in the
chest and side, making it still harder to breathe, and he fell through the hole and at the bottom
was a light” (300). Ivan knows that he has not lived his life right and asks himself, “But what is
the right thing?” (300). Finally, in his last moments before his death, his young son catches his
father’s hand and kisses it. Ivan realizes that the true meaning of life is in not material
possessions or social status, but in the love and compassion for others. The pinnacle of Ivan’s
painful saga in the final pages of the novella exposes the true meaning of Tolstoy’s story. His
description of Ivan’s rebirth, “At that very moment Ivan Ilych fell through and caught sight of
the light” (300), reveals Tolstoy’s message about life. It was only in physical death that Ivan was
able to “see the light” achieve spiritual rebirth. Tolstoy makes it clear that in order to achieve
true happiness and fulfillment in life it is necessary to embrace reality, no matter how chaotic
and unpredictable it may be, instead of hiding behind a false façade. In the tale of life and death
of Ivan Ilych, Tolstoy reveals that true meaning of life is in achieved by facing reality head on
and taking the time to form relationships with family and friends.

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Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilych

friends and family who continue to live a “false” moral life.

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