This novella is so different from Tolstoy’s previous works. For one, it is short. Secondly, while his longer novels do somewhat delve into his characters’ states of mind, this story focuses almost exclusively on the mental world of Ivan Ilyich as he slowly decays into death. By starting the tale off at Ilyich’s funeral and then flashing back to his early healthy life, then focusing on his illness, suffering, anguish, and death, the plot leaves little suspense, but the psychological effects are the more greater felt. By first showing how little the people in his life, his family, his friends, and his colleagues end up caring about him, Tolstoy only isolates Ilyich even more in his final suffering. The questions of a life well lived and purpose and meaning culminate in an excruciating finale.
No comments:
Post a Comment