Leo Tolstoy, The Death of Ivan Ilyich
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*Leo Tolstoy, The Death of Ivan Ilyich*
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*CHAPTER VOLE_RQ6 READING COMPREHENSION QUIZ* http://wwnorton.com/college/english/nawol3/section/vole/quiz.aspx#
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*Character*
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*List*
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*Ivan Ilych* Golovin
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*The protagonist (main character)of the novel.* Ivan is a nondescript, unexceptional man. He admires those with high social standing, and conforms his values and behavior to their rules. Ivan has a penchant for formalizing every human relationship. In his official work, he is careful to remove all personal concerns from consideration. In his private life, he adopts a fixed attitude toward his family.
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*Gerasim*
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*Ivan's nurse and the butler's assistant.* In this novel, Gerasim serves as a foil to Ivan: healthy, vigorous, direct, he is everything that Ivan is not. Unlike the other characters, Ivan understands that unpleasantness and unpredictability are a part of life.
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*Peter* Ivanovich
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*Ivan's closest friend and fellow judge.* Although he only appears in chapter I, Peter serves as a representative of Ivan's social milieu. He tends to view his relationships with people as instrumental to the achievement of his ends, and he goes to great lengths to avoid what is discomforting. Nevertheless, Peter is somehow more open to the truth than the other characters.
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*Praskovya* Fedorovna Golovina
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*Ivan's wife and the mother of his children.* Praskovya's behavior toward others is artificial and self-interested. While feigning sympathy and concern for Ivan during his illness, her real attitude is one of hostility and impatience for his death.
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Schwartz
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*Ivan's colleague and friend.* Schwartz is a well-dressed, playful, thoroughly proper man. He ignores life's unpleasantness. At Ivan's funeral, he is immune to all depressing influences and maintains his jovial and lighthearted demeanor. Ivan mentions that Schwartz reminds him very much of his former self, and thus it is clear that Schwartz is a kind of double for Ivan. The fact that "Schwartz" is German for "black," hints at Tolstoy's belief in the emptiness and ultimate demise of such an attitude toward life.
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*Vladimir* Ivanich
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*Ivan's son.* Vasya is the youngest member of the Golovin household. Sensitive and quiet, Vasya has not yet been corrupted by the beliefs and values of his parents' social world. He is capable of forming empathetic bonds with other people, and he is the only other person, besides Gerasim, who truly understands Ivan and his condition.
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*Lisa*
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*Ivan's daughter.* Lisa is very much like her mother. Selfish and easily annoyed, Lisa resents any influence that distracts her from her own contentment. Her father's suffering inconveniences her more than anything else.
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Fedor Petrovich
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*Lisa's fiancé.* Fedor is a typical member of his society. There is nothing remarkable or noteworthy about his character.
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Ivan's life is the most painful because it is:
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ordinary "Ivan Ilyich's life had been most simple and most ordinary and therefore most terrible." Reference: p. 746
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Throughout his illness, Ivan is positive:
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His medicine is not working. "He was given opium and hypodermic injections of morphine, but this did not relieve him." Reference: p. 765
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How does Ivan gravely injure himself?
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changing his curtain "Once when mounting a step ladder, to show the upholsterer, who did not understand, how he wanted the hangings draped, he made a false step and slipped. . . . The bruised place was painful, but the pain soon passed." Reference: p. 753
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Who is the only character who is honest with Ivan about his condition?
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Gerasim "All of us shall die, so why should I grudge a little trouble?" Reference: p. 767
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What do the doctors diagnose Ivan's fatal illness as?
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They can never concretely answer. "I saw the doctors, then followed despondency and anguish, more doctors, and I drew nearer to the abyss." Reference: p. 762
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What are Ivan's last words?
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"It is no more" "It is no more!" Reference: p. 778
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What especially embarrasses Ivan during his infirmity?
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defecating with his servant's help "For his excretions, special arrangements had to be made, and this was a torment to him every time, a torment from the uncleanliness, the unseemliness, and the smell, and from knowing that another person had to take part in it." Reference: p. 765
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In his final moments, Ivan takes pity upon:
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his wife and son "He opened his eyes, looked at his son, and felt sorry for him. His wife came up to him and he glanced at her. She was gazing at him open mouthed, with un-dried tears on her nose and cheek with a despairing look on her face. He felt sorry for her too." Reference: p. 777
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At Ivan's funeral Peter takes special note of Ivan's:
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content expression "His face was handsomer and more dignified than when he was alive. The expression on the face said that what was necessary had been accomplished and accomplished rightly." Reference: p. 742
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Ivan looks back through his entire life and perceives only:
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suffering "Just as the pain went on getting worse and worse, so my life grew worse and worse." Reference: p. 774
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Ivan and Praskoyva's marriage is:
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superficial "Praskoyva Fedorovna's attitude to Ivan Ilyich's illness, as she expressed it both to others and to him, was that it was his own fault and was another of the annoyances he caused her." Reference: p. 759
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Who does Ivan realize is living a full, healthy life?
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Gerasim "His mental sufferings were due to the fact that that night as he looked at Gerasim's sleepy, good-natured face with its prominent cheek bones the question suddenly occurred to him: 'What if my whole life was wrong?' " Reference: p. 775
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As family life becomes more difficult, Ivan increasingly:
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attends to his work and career "At first Ivan Ilyich hoped to escape from the unpleasantness of this state of affairs by the same easy and amorous relation to life that had served him heretofore: he tried to ignore his wife's disagreeable moods . . . by means of his official work and the duties attached to it, he began struggling with his wife to secure his own independence." Reference: p. 749-50
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Ivan is the most offended by:
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the lack of emotion from his family "Apart from this lying, or because of it, what most tormented Ivan Ilyich was that no one pitied him as he wished to be pitied." Reference: p. 767
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What Is Ivan's occupation?
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judge "Ivan Ilyich Golovin, Member of the Court of Justice." Reference: p. 740
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Despite being ill, Ivan still provides time for:
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entertaining guests and visitors "Breathless and in despair he fell on his back, expecting death to come immediately. Meanwhile the visitors were leaving. Praskovya Fedeorovna was seeing them off." Reference: p. 762
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What happened to Ivan after the establishment of the new Russian government?
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He accepted a promotion. "The work was new and Ivan Ilyich was one of the first men to apply the new Code of 1864. On taking up the post of examining magistrate in a new town, he made new acquaintances and connections." Reference: p. 748
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What do Ivan's friends do at his funeral?
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play cards "Schwartz did not come down but remained where he was, and Peter Ivanovich had understood he wanted to arrange where they should play bridge that evening." Reference: p. 741
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Growing up, Ivan idolized:
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the upper class "But from early youth [he] was by nature attracted to people of high station as a fly is drawn to the light, assimilating their ways and views of life and establishing friendly relations with them." Reference: p. 746
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Ivan is provided rare relief during:
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his private interaction with Gerasim "Gerasim smiled again and turned to leave the room. But Ivan Ilyich felt his presence such a comfort that he did not want to let him go." Reference: p. 766
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*THE DEATH OF IVAN ILYCH, Leo Tolstoy*
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*Quiz* http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/ivanilych/quiz.html
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At the beginning of the novel when Ivan's colleagues learn of his death, why is their reaction so remarkable?
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Their first thought is of the promotions and transfers Ivan's death will occasion
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At the funeral service, which character tries to set up a game of bridge?
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Schwartz
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Who is Ivan's closest friend?
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Peter
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At the funeral, what is the real reason Praskovya wants to speak to Peter privately?
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She wants Peter's advice on how to maximize her husband's government pension
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At the funeral, Peter feels especially uneasy when he:
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Sees the expression of reproach on Ivan's face
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What type of person is Ivan attracted to?
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The affluent, aristocratic person
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Married life is pleasant for Ivan until what event occurs?
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Praskovya becomes pregnant
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In his official work, Ivan tries to maintain what tone?
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One of formality and detachment
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Why does Ivan take a leave of absence from work and move with his family to the country?
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He is passed over for promotion
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Why does Ivan receive a new appointment with a higher paying salary?
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A sudden change in the administration of the Ministry of Justice lands a close friend in a position of great authority
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What event precipitates Ivan's illness?
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His fall from a stepladder
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What is Ivan's greatest pleasure?
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Bridge
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Which of the following characterizes the doctors' attitude toward Ivan?
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Formal and procedural
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How does Ivan learn of the extent of his physical degeneration?
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His brother-in-law is utterly surprised by his countenance
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How does Ivan deal with unpleasant situations or relationships?
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He pushes them away and isolates himself from the disagreeable influence
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Who is Gerasim?
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The butler's assistant Ivan's nurse
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What does Gerasim do that eases Ivan's physical pain?
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He supports Ivan's legs on his shoulders
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What bothers Ivan more than the physical pain?
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The pretense that he is not dying but is simply ill
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Who is the only person that does not lie about the nature of Ivan's condition?
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Gerasim
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One night, Praskovya, Lisa, and Lisa's fiancé decide to go where?
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To the theatre
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Ivan dreams of which object?
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A bag
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When Ivan awakes from his dream, what does he hear?
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The voice of his soul
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When Ivan thinks back on his life, what does he think is the best part?
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His childhood
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When Ivan passes into the bright light, what does he compare the experience to?
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The sensation of being in a railway car you think is moving forward but suddenly realize is moving backward
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When Ivan catches sight of the light, he realizes that his life has not been a good one. What else happens simultaneously?
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His hand falls on Vasya's head
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Page 1 *TOLSTOY: "THE DEATH OF IVAN ILYICH"*
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http://www.valdosta.edu/~tthompson/ppts/2130/fall2012/tolstoy2_fall2012.pdf.
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Page 2 Arthur Schopenhaue
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Life itself is a constant process of dying (the only fate).
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Page 3
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Terms Hamartia- Greek: "tragic flaw" that informs Christian idea of "sin." Felix Culpa- "Fortunate fall" instigates a serious of miserable events that lead to a happier outcome. Epiphany- Literally: "God sighting." Sudden realization or comprehension of the essence or meaning of something.
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Page 4
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(Some) Russian Orthodox Beliefs -Death as constant spectre (774) should lead Ilyich to examine his relationship with God. -Contrition: deeply felt remorse with resolution to change. -The Mystery of Confession. • Freedom from Hamartia that permits possibility of theosis. • Epitemia: penance. -Theosis: union with God that prohibits death.
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Page 5
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Theosis (salvation): process of being saved from death, corruption and the fate of Hell. -Process of Theosis Self-pity (767) and denial (768) Pity and Conventional deception (770, 771) Hearing the still, inner voice. (772-773) Questions his life and its value. (773) Recognition of Hamartia (776) Freedom from Hamartia. Puts his heart into his situation: feels compassion for his family. (777-778) Death is finished. (778)
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Page 6
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Ilyich's epiphany: Insight into true situation. Illness (755-756) Indifference of doctors (757) Wife's perception (759) Mirror Chronotope: Reveals reality of his death. (760) Epiphany: illusion's over (761-762) Despair (763) Death as constant spectre (763-764)
