The Death of Ivan Ilych & the Quest Narrative

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However, contrary to my argument, one would say after reading my argument, that Ivan did learn from his illness when he says “Yes, it was not the right thing,” he said to himself, “but that’s no matter. It can be done. But what *is* the right thing? he asked himself, and suddenly grew quiet.” (Ch. 11). Yes, he did realize that he made a mistake in living his life but at the very end of his death, almost before his death as mentioned in novella, and then he ask himself for the right method of living a life and, guess what?, he couldn’t get. Important thing to note here, that he still wasn’t able to find the right method of living a life and further, how he could had possibly resurrected his life. Since, he couldn’t find the right method, there is no process of learning involved where quest narrative talks about learning and living with illness. However, Leo Tolstoy, at least gives his readers a sign of living correct and fruitful life when Ivan at the very edge of his life asks himself “What is the right thing?” and grew still, listening. Then he felt that someone was kissing his hand. He opened his eyes, looked at his son, and felt sorry for him. His wife camp up to him and he glanced at her. She was gazing at him open-mouthed, with undried tears on her nose and cheek and a despairing look on her face. He felt sorry for her too.” (Ch. 11). Here Leo gives us the answer that life should be focused more on people around us, bringing real happiness, affection by actions and not by providing temporary monetary services and values and moreover life should be less focused on achieving appreciation from the society as in the excerpt above, right after Ivan asked question to himself, Leo Tolstoy brings Ivan’s son, kissing his hand and his wife in the scene. This moment gives us the answer of how to live a life in the right direction and thus not waiting at for some deadly disease to accompany us at the end of our lives and then convince us the true meaning of life.

Bibliography

Tolstoy, Leo. The Death of Ivan Ilych. NY: Random House, 1981(1886)

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