The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy free essay sample

Analyzes protagonists shallow life redemptive death role of his servant in his spiritual awakening. This study will analyze Leo Tolstoys short novel The Death of Ivan Ilych, focusing on the physical and symbolic causes of the protagonists death, the view of Russian society projected by the author, and the role and symbolic significance of Ivans servant Gerasim plays in the story and in the life and awakening of Ivan. The study will argue basically that Ivan lived a shallow life ruled by selfishness and materialism, incurred a mysterious illness, and just before his death underwent a spiritual conversion marked by clearly Christian references. Gerasim plays a helpful role in directly and indirectly guiding Ivan toward this awakening. The physical aspect of Ivans illness is clearly meant by Tolstoy to be both a mystery and quite ordinary. The onset of the illness is caused by an apparently minor mishap. We will write a custom essay sample on The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Ivan has just