Notes

Like other realist authors, Tolstoy explores social issues in his novella. He uses several characters to portray the theme of hypocrisy and deception in nineteenth-century Russian society. The characters think and behave in keeping with the values of that society. They hide their true emotions and act as the situation demands. For example, Ivan Ilyich’s doctors treat him in a formal manner, without showing concern for the pain he feels. Ivan Ilyich resents their presence, but he does not express his emotions. In this way, he conforms to the deception and false values of his social class. Ivan Ilyich’s wife, Praskovya Fedorovna, also hides her true feelings and continues her pretense of being a devoted wife. In his presence, Ivan Ilyich’s wife and friends keep up the pretense that he will recover. In reality, they think about how they will benefit from his death. They hope he will die soon because they don’t like being with a dying man. The servant Gerasim is the only character who genuinely cares for Ivan Ilyich. Through his interactions with Gerasim in his last days, Ivan Ilyich changes. He comes to recognize the superficiality and deception in his life and reflects upon the true meaning of life.