WEEK 8: The death of Ivan Ilych
I actually really enjoyed reading this short story and it's good that we discussed it in class as well because there are so many different opinions and views that you get in discussion, especially in my tutorial class (never a dull moment!!).
The story is interesting in the way it takes the audience on a journey through the character of Ivan Ilych, who lives a life of upper class expectation and high importance in society but for many reasons comes to a realization that this is not good enough for him and feels he wants more out of life. Sadly for his sake I think he comes to this realization too late and therefore cannot change his ways.
I think the character of Gerasim plays an important part in the story as he is a character who has not been granted the privileges the upper class have gotten and therefore appreciates life in a way they will never know. Although we see no real evidence of Gerasim encouraging Ivan Ilych through words, his actions and consistent selflessness towards Ivan Ilych and to others, influences Ivan Ilych to see the errors of which have occurred throughout his life and therefore want to change.
I find it very interesting how people can be so superficial and part themselves away from the rest of society so they can feel superior and important. I personally could not imagine ever being wealthy and not putting it to a greater use than shopping. It saddens and annoys me that there are people out there who are exactly like that and that this is not just a story, it is instead an indication of an aspect of society that was existent then...and more than likely even existent now.
The story is interesting in the way it takes the audience on a journey through the character of Ivan Ilych, who lives a life of upper class expectation and high importance in society but for many reasons comes to a realization that this is not good enough for him and feels he wants more out of life. Sadly for his sake I think he comes to this realization too late and therefore cannot change his ways.
I think the character of Gerasim plays an important part in the story as he is a character who has not been granted the privileges the upper class have gotten and therefore appreciates life in a way they will never know. Although we see no real evidence of Gerasim encouraging Ivan Ilych through words, his actions and consistent selflessness towards Ivan Ilych and to others, influences Ivan Ilych to see the errors of which have occurred throughout his life and therefore want to change.
I find it very interesting how people can be so superficial and part themselves away from the rest of society so they can feel superior and important. I personally could not imagine ever being wealthy and not putting it to a greater use than shopping. It saddens and annoys me that there are people out there who are exactly like that and that this is not just a story, it is instead an indication of an aspect of society that was existent then...and more than likely even existent now.