The Death of Ivan Ilych Group

Question:

bmw09
bmw09
Student
High School - 11th Grade

Discuss the evidence that Ilych's death is a moral judgment that it is a punishment for his life in "The Death of Ivan Ilych."

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Posted by bmw09 on Monday February 11, 2008 at 4:52 PM and tagged with character, ilych, judgment, morality, the death of ivan ilych, themes.

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  1. sullymonster Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    Ilych's thought process and his descent into memory are the best evidence for the moral judgement being placed on his life.  As he weakens, Ilych longs for the happy life that he once lived.  But given the time to focus on it, he understands that while his childhood was happy, his adult life has been a pursuit of goals and materialistic recognition, and has been devoid of happiness.  The fact that he is actually not able to die until he has found sympathy for his family reinforces the need for him to undergo spiritual enlightenment.  He has not lived his life well; he has wasted it on the trivial, and he must understand that in order to let go of the pain and be at peace.

    Incidentally, Ilych's injury is symbolic of this judgment.  Hurting himself as his admires his "achievement" of a respectable home proves that this goal was one of moral corruption.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/death-ivan/summary

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    Posted by sullymonster on Tuesday February 12, 2008 at 6:18 PM