The Death of Ivan Ilyich

by Leo Tolstoy

Start Free Trial

The Death of Ivan Ilyich Questions and Answers

In "The Death of Ivan Ilyich," why did Ivan conclude his life ''was not the real thing''?

What does Tolstoy have to say about the attractions of materialism in The Death of Ivan Ilyich? 

Think about the following quotation from Leo Tolstoy: “True life is lived when tiny changes occur.” What do you think Tolstoy meant by this statement? How does Tolstoy incorporate this idea into “The Death of Ivan Ilyich”?

What is the moral of "The Death of Ivan Ilyich"?

Why does Tolstoy begin with Ivan's death?

Chapter 2 starts off saying that Ivan's life was the most simplest, the most ordinary, and the most awful. Why is a simple life awful?

Sum up the reactions of Ivan Ilyich's colleagues to the news of his death. What is implied in Tolstoy’s calling them ”so-called friends”?

According to Tolstoy, what is terrible about a simple and ordinary life in the novel The Death of Ivan Ilyich?

How are the following quotes from The Death of Ivan Ilyich meant in a religious way: "It is finished," said someone near him. "Death is finished," he said to himself. "It is no more."

In "The Death of Ivan Ilyich," how was the servant Gerasim a friend to Ivan?  

Why does the narrator of The Death of Ivan Lynch say that Ivan's life is "terrible"? What's so terrible about it?

What are the similarities between "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" and The Metamorphosis? As we know there are similarities between "Ivan" and "Gregor", "Gerasim" and "Grete"

In the book "The Death of Ivan Ilych," what is Tolstoy's attitude towards growth in consciousness?

Compare and contrast The Death of Ivan Ilyich and To Build a Fire.

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."

In "The Death of Ivan Ilyich," what comical elements do you find in the account of the wake that Peter Ivanovich attends?

Describe the character development of Ivan Ilych.

What is the greatest sin according to Tolstoy in his novel The Death of Ivan Ilyich? What is his notion of selfhood? Contrast with Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice if possible.  

What is the importance of the setting, tone, symbol, and the message of the writer?

Henri Troyat said that through the story of Ivan llych, we imagine what our own deaths will be. Is it possible to identify with an aging, selfish, worldly, nineteenth-century Russian judge?

In "The Death of Ivan Ilych," how does Ivan come to achieve redemption in spite of his meaningless life?

What is the rising action, climax, and falling action of the novella The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Tolstoy?

What is the role of Gerasim, the servant boy, in "The Death of Ivan Ilyich"?

Why does Tolstoy use the full names of the characters throughout the entire novel "The Death of Ivan Ilych"?

At the end of chapter 2 of The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Ivan Ilyich reflects on the divide between work and family. To him, work always comes first, and family is what he tries to avoid. In chapters 1–4 of his novella, how does Tolstoy portray Ivan Ilyich’s priorities in life? Based on what you have learned about Leo Tolstoy, would he agree with Ivan Ilyich's priorities? Use textual evidence to support your response.

In The Death of Ivan Ilych, would you call Ivan somewhat of a religious man? Sum up his goals in life, his attitude, and his values. How do they change in the story?

Gerasim provides comfort to Ivan Ilyich in more than one way in The Death of Ivan Ilyich. Explain about two ways Gerasim cares for Ivan Ilyich.

How does the following line from Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich contribute to the plot at the end of the novella? "Death is finished, he said to himself. It is no more!"

Why does it take so long for Ivan’s family to come to terms with the fact that he is dying?

How important is time in the novella The Death of Ivan Ilyich?

In Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich, what statements made and actions taken by different characters serve to illustrate the type of behaviors and thinking that Tolstoy found so empty and meaningless? 

Why did Ivan stop screaming?  

What theme is portrayed in Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan llyich?

Why is "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" almost entirely dedicated to Ivan's life instead of his death?

What is Ivan’s attitude toward religion in "The Death of Ivan Illyich"?

What does the death of Ivan Ilyich teach us about happiness?

What elements of the story "The Death of Ivan llyich"are unrealistic?  Why?

In "The Death of Ivan Ilych," Ilych says, "'Maybe I did not live as I ought to have done,' it suddenly occurred to him."  Why does he say this?

From the short story, "The death of Ivan Ilych," what is your interpretations in the end of the novella?

In what ways is Tolstoy commenting on society?

What is Tolstoy's story "The Death of Ivan Illych"?

What is the role of love and compassion at the end of the "The Death of Ivan Ilyich"?

What is life like in 'The Death of Ivan Ilyich'?

What does Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich suggest about how Peter Ivanovich reacts in emotional situations?

In "The Death of Ivan Ilyich," what is implied by Tolstoy's narrator calling those around Ivan, not friends, but "nearest acquaintances?"

How well did Tolstoy follow his own advice in The Death of Ivan Ilych?

Compare the treatment of death in Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District and "The Death of Ivan Ilych."

Did Ivan Illych's suffering have a purpose?

In "Death of Ivan Ilych" by Tolstoy, what is wrong with Ivan Ilych's marriage?

What are the character analysis and characterization of all the characters The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoi? What aspects of styles are used?