English 2341 Spring 2015 Class discussion

What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?

In his younger adulthood Ivan is scared of being common and dealing with difficult situations. He is continually striving for a career of higher importance and higher pay, reasoning that money and power hold the solution. After each step to a higher level, contentment is felt for a short period of time. However, he eventually becomes restless and bitter, believing himself to be deserving of better. The statement regarding the family’s new apartment: “it was all just what is commonly seen in the houses of people who are not exactly wealthy but want to look like wealthy people, and so succeed only in being like one another”, reminds me of the modern saying: “Keeping up with the Jones”. A depth is lacking in the areas he finds gratification: “His official pleasures lie in the gratification of his pride; his social pleasures lay in the gratification of his vanity.” Regarding these characteristics, some commonly used Bible verses tell us: Pride comes before a fall, and vanity is striving after the wind. This certainly seemed true in the case of Ivan. As he grows older and develops an illness, he is scared of “It”. Ivan cannot get away because “It came and stood confronting him”. The writer does not identify “It”, but the reader can infer that it may be a perhaps be a representation of fear, death, or facing his own mortality. Interestingly, this word is both capitalized and italicized, which seems to make this fear a separate entity. To be confronted by “It” is significant because Ivan felt “he had always been a creature quite, quite different from all others”. Death could not be coming for him he reasons: because “with all my feelings and ideas-for me it’s a different matter”. Because he believed himself to be better than all others, he is above common man and not subjected to death. This false reasoning and the shallow pursuits of his life finally take their toll in the statement: “This falsity around him and within him did more than anything to poison Ivan Ilych’s last days.”

In my point of view I think Ivan is just afraid of his hard times through his life, but mainly about his sickness that he found out later throughout the story, plus death. Ivan thinks that the most important factor to be here in earth is to have money and expensive things. “The great thing for Ivan was having his office. In the official world all the interest of life was concentrated on him” Through the chapters it seems like if Ivan only wanted overpriced things if not he would be upset and feel powerless. “The sense of his own power…” I think when Ivan found out about the illness he had, he just felt powerless and different then he was before when acting like if he was everything. Ivan found out that “His illness was said to be incurable” with no respond. Ivan was afraid about his illness especially how doctors had no respond about, he just became more irritated. I think as time went by he seemed to realize how awful he was before finding out about his sickness. I think he was just afraid of death, and maybe regretting how he should have been more grateful with everything and everyone. It seems like if he scared to die alone without anybody ever loving him, especially how he was “the most ordinary, and the most awful” person he was before. The way I interpreted the end was that Ivan was trying to change of a person and become different with everyone before his death.

In, " The Death of Ivan Ilych " Ivan is a judge that has been inspired on higher figures, always following certain procedures made him a well known judge. However, with time he started to abuse his power and made corrupted decision when doing cases. Ivan became hated, and ill which led other people who could help him wish death to him, and to be at his side in illness, but only for compromise or interest. Furthermore, the people around Ivan decided that he is not really a person worthy of being a judge, and just like Ivan's doctor behavior; the doctor doesn't really care for Ivan when Ivan asks for a check on his health, "arousing in him a great feeling of pity for himself and great anger against this doctor who seemed unconcerned about a matter of such importance" While Ivan may understood why the doctor behave in such arrogant manner, he also realized that not even his wife cares for him when he told his wife what happen with his doctor. The wife being annoyed by him, without thinking or listening said: "Well, I'm very glad," Said his wife; "now you must be sure and take the medicine regularly" Which makes Ivan only to be despised for what he is... Ivan did not developed the fear of death, but the idea of being alone at his death when so much people are around him.

In "the Death of Ivan Ilych", Ivan,the main character in this novella, is a simple man who has a common life. In his young age, he was characterized to be happy and nice person. When he was a young man, I think his greatest fear was to be a common and simple person at the sight of the society. He studied in a law school with the intention of reaching a great job with excellent salary. Throughout to the years, he was not successful in his life, and he became in a bitter man with marital problems. He was a man who thought that the money reaches the greatest happiness in a family, so in that moment his salary was insufficient to live comfortable. Ivan falls into a serious illness, but his superiority of all does not allow to understand that he has little time to live. Ivan was not the same person. Now, he was in depressed and fearful man. According to the reading, Ivan does not afraid of death. He refuses to accept that he is a dead man as his brother and his wife said due to his dead face. He believes stronger that the death. I think his greatest fear was the death, but he refuses to accept. His pride, superiority, and his arrogance drove led him to death and very unhappy life.

After reading the first part of “The Death of Ivan Ilynch” I can conclude that what he was most scared of was death. As it is mentions in the novella, just the thought of his illness being terminal terrified him. He didn't want to believe that what he was suffering from was going to end his life. Ivan Ilynch was a man that wanted to be respected and acceptable in society, all his life he worked hard to maintain his status. It could be said that before he got married and started his family he was a happy man. His marriage was not the best, and when there were problems in his house he tried to solve them by working longer hours. He lived his life according on what others thought it was right, but he never really did what made him happy. I think that Ivan was scared of dying because he never got to fully live his life. His whole family and work environment was a set up, and when he noticed that his life was coming to an end, he was scared that he never got to enjoy life and be at peace with himself.

Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

I think that Ivan is scared of losing his powerful and successful appearance to outsiders. Throughout the story we find hints that show that Ivan cares mostly about appearances and making sure he is the best at everything. "a capable, cheerful, goodnatured, and sociable man,though strict in the fulfillment of what HE considered to be his duty". Ivan made sure to always be surrounded by high class individuals and making sure he was part pf that circle "establishing friendly relations with them". Ivan was so worried about fitting in that he did not live life to the fullest "All the enthusiasms pf childhood and youth passed without living much trace on him". I think Ivan was so afraid of losing his power and appearance that he never felt free to do whatever he wanted and was limiting himself to making sure he did not jeopardize losing his social status. "But always within limits which his instinct unfailingly indicated to him as correct".

In the novella, "The Death of Ivan Ilych", Ivan seemed to be more scared of death. Most of the people are naturally scared of death for different reasons. For example, some may be scared for the simple fact that is death and their life will be finished. Another reason could be that they are scared because they have a goal and they will not be capable of finishing it. There can be many reasons for someone to be afraid of death but in the case of Ivan he was scared of death because he still had a goal to finish. The goal that I saw he had was to be happy and get peace. I noticed that as Ivan goal because through his life he focused on coming forward and he will also have trouble in his marriage which gave him more stress. It is seen in the novella that his wife is just with him because of the money as stated that his wife "began to wish he were dead; yet could not wish it, because then there would be no income". Ivan was scared of dying he still could not realize that his life was going to be over. As stated that, "At the bottom of his heart Ivan Ilych knew he was dying; but so far from growing used to this idea, he simply did not grasp it-he was utterly unable to grasp it". This shows that Ivan was scared of dying.

I believe fear is one of the feelings that drive individuals, like it did with Ivan llych. Society and even religion uses fear as results to induce individuals to control their ego. The Death of Ivan Ilyich teaches me the consequences to take in the results of living a totally self-centered, non-Christian life without really needing to make Ivan's errors. The relationships we build are more vital in life than who we are or what we claim. In the beginning of the story it reads: So, on hearing of Ivan llych’s death, the first though transfer or promotion of themselves or their friends. This line uncovers that among Ivan's peers, he was close to a difficulty. It likewise uncovers that these men respected Ivan with the same appreciation and cool, proficient lack of concern with which he respected them. Ivan's wife gives off an impression of being simply suffering and lamenting, when truth be told she is more concerned with money related matters. Every person in this story, none genuinely grieves the death of Ivan Ilych.

Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

“The Death of Ivan Ilych,” a novella written by Leo Tolstoy, is a story of a man called Ivan that is trying to find the recognition of death. In his young life he moved from town to town, but around his 40s, he stayed in a city and got a new apartment. He wanted to find a better job with a satisfactory salary. “He was no longer bent on any particular department, or tendency, or kind of activity. All he now wanted was an appointment to another post with a salary of five thousand rubles…” Then the story says that he suffers an accident and that accident causes him the beginning of his death. He was feeling more pain every day. The pain was very persistent. “Ivan Ilyich saw that he was dying, and he was in continual despair. In the depth of his heart he knew he was dying, but not only was he not accustomed to the thought, he simply did not and could not grasp it.” Gradually, he realized that he is actually going to die. I think his major fear was recognized and admit death as his final solution. I don’t know but in this story it seems like everybody else was doing what they supposed to do as usual and pretend that everything was okay with Ivan. However, for him was the opposite side because he started feeling hate to them. Sincerely, I did not really like the story it was so depresing and boring.

Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

Ivan Ilych seems to be a character that cares so much in pleasing others but his own family and himself, He seems to be a materialistic person. I think part of him seemed to never be satisfied which is why he always wanted to achieve more and more. In my opinion what Ivan Ilych seemed to be afraid of was not being ready to die yet as if he hadn't done enough while being alive part of him wanted to do more and he wasnt pleased just yet. All his life he seemed to make his acquaintances happy but his own self.

In ¨ The Death of Ivan Ilych¨ I think the main character Ivan was afraid of not be able to become a successful, rich and important person with an important job within society. ¨The sense of his own power… delighted him ¨After a certain time he was able to get a good job but certainly not enough. He seemed to be unhappy of his position within the judicial court but with sufficient power to do incorrect things that led them to be a hateful man and people around him started to want him death instead of being there on that position and with that power. However, Ivan was sick and certainly his illness had no cure, that is when he realized he was going to die and wanted to spend time with his family and friends but sadly he found himself alone with no love because as the writer mentioned ¨with all my feelings and ideas-for me it’s a different matter¨ Ivan tough he was more than everyone else and put his position and appearance first than anything else as his family and friends who used to respect and love him in all aspects. This is just what I basically understand from the story a man who was afraid of not be able to become successful as one day he dreamed to be and lose his position in the judicial court that forgot the importance of family and friends.

Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

well from what i read in the story,”The death of Ivan Ilynch” Ivan seemed to be afraid of death. Ivan lived a successful life, he had respect, pride, power, and people liked him. As years passed, he been stepping up more but lived an unhappy family life. He had arguements with his wife and complains about how she didn´t like the new place they were staying at. His kids would die for some reason and he was just moving on. It seemed as he cared more about the money. Ivan then got a illness that was incurable and was dying slowly and painfully, For some reason i think ever since he married his wife and had his first child, his wife been stressing him out and not letting him go out with his friend or anything and that kindof made him change his attitude, his way of life. Maybe he got his illness from so much stress and thought that money would make him happy but at the end he realized that he needed support from his love ones and did´nt wanted to die alone.

Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

In the Novella "The Death of Ivan Ilych" it seems like Ivan is afraid or scared of just being a normal or average person his desire of becoming someone successful and following society's "standards" make him a cold and frivolous person having a self impose burden of becoming a member of a high society made Ivan afraid of failure a "failure" on society eyes, It seems like Ivan's beliefs of a happy life was based on society standards such as a good job a nice house and he never realize that the little things in life are what really make someone happy. He got marry because that was a norm of society but when his wife got pregnant instead of being the happiest person in the world Ivan became bitter and angry he was submerge on a society that didn't let him enjoy the little but more significant things in life , Ivan was afraid of being a simple and happy man.

Ivan Ilych had been a Judge in the Russian Judicial System before his death. According to Peter Ivanovich, a close friend that knew him well in his childhood, through college, and now had been a colleague, makes mention of a happy life prior to his marriage. “a man he had known so intimately, at first as light-hearted child, a schoolboy, then as a colleague”. He marries not for love, but because it seems the right thing to do. Praskovya Fyodorovna fell in love with Ivan Ilych who has been moving according to the climbing of his career ladder. Once the family starts multiplying, the relationship starts to fizzle out due to domestic disputes. “…began to disturb the agreeableness and decorum of their life”, “…exacting on her demands on his attention, squabbled over everything” He can’t handle the wife’s nagging, so he becomes more dedicated to his life at work. He continues to live above his means and is not happy when promotions start passing him by. The first sign of fear that delves him into depression is not being able to excel and increase his income. It seemed that at every new position or even marriage, when the newness wore off, Ivan got bored. Then he lands the perfect position with the amount of income he wants. Again, Ivan works hard and prepares the home to welcome his family, but again it get old after a time. When illness strikes Ivan’s life, he fears the loneliness, the sense that no one cares; he’s alone and walking the corridors of an illness that the doctors have kept him in the dark. He fears the unknown. He fears death, but doesn’t turn to God for solace, for peace. Remember when you were a child and you were very sick and had fever, you wanted everyone to know you are sick, wanting their comfort, their petting, or their feeling sorry you were sick. That’s what Ivan felt at the end when he knew he was going to die. He wanted to be cared for, for anyone to feel sympathetic for what he was going through. “for someone to feel sorry for him”… “He longed to be petted, kissed, and wept over, as children are petted and comforted”.

Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

In young adult hood Ivan Ilynch in “The Death of Ivan Ilynch” seems to be most afraid of becoming an average middle class person. He seems to have ambitions of grandeur and finds gratification in material and social stature. How ever after finding marital life a failure in private his only console is that of his social and financial standing. His fear seems to be that of becoming stagnant in regards to his career. A stagnant career would imply no growth in power or finances, both of which he was fearful to lose and not possess. After his illness begins to objectify in him, his fear shifts. More than anything else Ivan seems to fear death, and even in greater detail seems to fear a lonely death. Death can be seen here as the ultimate surrender of power, and from the beginning we see that this is what Ivan has feared losing or not obtaining all along. An example of this is given when Ivan Ilynch can not even entertain the idea of a more powerful being having power over his health when he was approached by a lady who told him of “miraculous healings wrought by holy icons”. He calls it “Nonsense!” and “rubbish”.

Ilze wrote: "Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

Ivan Ilych seems to be a character that cares so much in pleasing others but his own family and himself, He seems to be a materialistic pe..."

I believe you make an amazing point Ilze. You're right I don't think he ever found happiness, mostly due to seeking material and social stature rather than personal relationships and happiness. I also pointed out that he is having to give up some sort of power at this point. Power over his health, life, and eventually even his career. I believe this is what he is most fearful of as well.

Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"



After reading The Death of Ivan Llych I concluded that Ivan was scared of death. “Tell me is this generally a dangerous illness or not,? ” asks Ivan. Most people who ask this want to pretty much know if they are re going to die. He is basically asking am I going to die or not? This shows a little to humans that we all fear death a little bit. We certainly would not like an illness to kill us or destroy us. None of us would like to die especially if were dying because of a certain illness. Ivan could not believe he was sick and was going to die. He was in denial for a long time until, he had to accept it. “Ivan Ilych knew he was dying; but so far from growing used to this idea, he simply did not grasp it-he was utterly incapable to grasp it.” ,Writer informs. Also, I think Ivan was scared of what society would think of him because he always worked hard to have his name remind others of his success.

Ivan since a very young age strived to become a great person in life. He associated himself with the best in society and moved to another city in order to accomplish and get what he thought he deserved. Ivan seems more scared of his illness asking if "its bad, or really bad?" I feel like Ivan fears death itself as all his "friends" are fearful of "It". Ivan felt above everyone, always believed he deserved better, how could "It" get to him. "Nothing but to look at It and shiver", he was never ready and always scared. His death would come and he would be lonely.

Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"


Ivan is most scared on dying alone than anything else. Since he was young he was the pride of the family. He went to school, studied did not get in trouble. Ivan made his career, and at the same time led a life of well-bred social gaiety. Ivan llych was influenced by both considerations; he was doing what was agreeable to him in securing a wife and doing what persons of higher standing looked upon as correct things. The great thing for Ivan llych having his office sense of own power. He could ruin anyone he wanted to ruin. His married life the life that he had built outside turned nothing but to lies. The greatest misery for Ivan llych was that no one felt for him as he would have liked them to feel for him. The only one that helped was Gerasim he said to his master that hopefully one day someone would take care of him as well.

Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

After reading the first part of “The Death of Ivan Ilych”, I believe that Ivan was scared of death in a way that his time on this earth would be short and he would not be able to accomplish or have all of the great things in life. In the beginning, we are introduced to the young Ivan. Even from the beginning he is trying to mingle and live up to the status of the higher class. “He was attracted, as a fly to the light, to persons of good standing in the world, assimilated their manners and their views of life…”. I think here, Ivan did not wish to be seen simply as a middle class commoner, but as someone great in the higher class who could be and accomplish great things. Ivan’s dreams to want more and to be more remind me of a quote by Norman Peale that states “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you will land amongst the stars.” I think even with Ivan wanting to grasp more out of life, he was doing it for all the wrong reasons. He seemed to want to impress everyone else and did not appreciate what he already had. Ivan lost sight of who he was as a young boy with a level head before his head became clouded by the structure of society causing him to become materialistic. “Il faut que la jeunesse se passe”. I also think Ivan was scared of his short time on this earth and the unknown or the not knowing of what’s to come and thought about it frequently especially when he became ill. The inscription “Respice Finem” that he had engraved in his watch meaning “Think of the End” was a constant reminder of this for him.

Lindsay wrote: "In his younger adulthood Ivan is scared of being common and dealing with difficult situations. He is continually striving for a career of higher importance and higher pay, reasoning that money and ..."

I completely agree with your view on these chapters. Ivan was scare of "It" I also believe is death, he asked "is it bad, or really bad?" The uncertainty of not knowing was already consuming him until he knew "His illness was said to be incurable."

Eduardo wrote: "I believe fear is one of the feelings that drive individuals, like it did with Ivan llych. Society and even religion uses fear as results to induce individuals to control their ego. The Death of Iv..."

I agree with you. In the beginning when reading the newspaper and hearing about the death of Ivan, his colleagues seemed more concerned on who is going to take his place and the raise in salary they will receive. Even when his wife is "grieving" I got the impression that it was all for show and that she didn't care about Ivan himself just the government check that she could receive. Now that Ivan is dead, the people in Ivan's life show their true character. It's sad yet it is an honestly harsh reality.

Senaida wrote: "Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"


Ivan is most scared on dying alone than anything else. Since he was young he was the pride of the family. He went to school, studied did ..."

I think you are right. Ivan had built himself up to be this powerful person but what he was missing in his life was happiness. Even things that he thought would make him happy like money and power, at the end of the day left him still feeling alone in a room full of people. Even at his funeral it wasn't about Ivan it was what can we still benefit from him now that he is gone. I saw a lack of caring and compassion and saw greed in it's place.

Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

After reading the first part of the Death of Ivan Ilych I can conclude that what Ivan really feared was his demise. He had work really hard for all his life trying to put himself in a powerful and great salary situation that knowing that his demise was close he was scared of it, and refused to think about it. In the story his life is centered in improving his position in life and reaching a goal but with the fact that he may be reaching the end, it scares him. All his life has been about pleasing everybody, like his wife, even thought his wife clearly is not fond of him. So after living his life to become rich and putting all importance on materialistic things he realizes that his goal will never be reach and he gets depressed.

After reading the first part of "The death of Ivan Ilych", I believe that what he was scared of was not getting society approval. "Everything was done with clean hands, in clean shirts, with French phrases, and, what was most important, in the highest society, and consequently with the approval of people of rank" shows how everything he did was for the approval of society. He did everything in the beginning the way you are "supposed" to do it, the way society would approve of him. He was also scared to die alone. "During that year it became evident on one hand that his pay was insufficient for his expenses; on the other hand, that he had been forgotten by every one, and that what seem to him the most monstrous, the crudest injustice", this poor man was terrified to die alone with no one to be at his side.

Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

Once I finished reading "The Death of Ivan Ilych" I made the presumption that Ivan is terrified of not obtaining society's approval. He sees the solution of wealth and power as the solution to greatness. "His official pleasures lie in the gratification of his pride; his social pleasures lay in the gratification of his vanity". This goes to show his overwhelming sense of power and the need to be in a high position. Without this, its as if nothing else means anything. "Respice Finem" was all he had in his mind.

Amanda wrote: "In my point of view I think Ivan is just afraid of his hard times through his life, but mainly about his sickness that he found out later throughout the story, plus death. Ivan thinks that the mos..."

Amanda, I agree with your statement regarding Ivan being afraid of hard times. He had a habit of distracting himself in difficult situations, instead of developing a coping mechanism. This can be observed when “Ivan Ilych began to use his official position and the duties arising from it in his struggle with his wife to fence off his own independent world apart”. Instead of communicating with his wife, he chose to focus on work and separate himself from the uncomfortable situation at home.

Elizabeth wrote: "Ivan since a very young age strived to become a great person in life. He associated himself with the best in society and moved to another city in order to accomplish and get what he thought he dese..."

I think it is interesting how Ivan repeatedly felt unsatisfied, despite various attempts to remedy the situation. Sadly money played a large part in this because with one of his jobs “the salary was indeed a little higher than before, but their expenses were larger”. This illness, whether actual or perceived, overtakes him. Perhaps a contributing factor to the illness was Ivan realizing his pursuits had been in vain.

Elizabeth wrote: "Ivan since a very young age strived to become a great person in life. He associated himself with the best in society and moved to another city in order to accomplish and get what he thought he dese..."

Elizabeth, great point of view, Ivan “associated himself with the best in society” but like you stated it seemed like if he was more afraid of “his illness” we both had the same view of this novella, I also think Ivan is just worried to die alone with nobody loving him.

Senaida wrote: "Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"


Ivan is most scared on dying alone than anything else. Since he was young he was the pride of the family. He went to school, studied did ..."

I agree with you Senaida I also believe that Ivan had fear of dying .Even tho after he past away his wife didnt care much for him she only wanted his money.

Lindsay wrote: "In his younger adulthood Ivan is scared of being common and dealing with difficult situations. He is continually striving for a career of higher importance and higher pay, reasoning that money and ..."

I agree with your point of viewing the novella Lindsay. Your observation on his futile pursuit of his own gratification and the textual evidence your presented was very astute. This could very well be the “falsity” with which Ivan surrounds himself. “This falsity around him and within him did more than anything to poison Ivan Ilych’s last days.”

Jorge wrote: "Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

well from what i read in the story,”The death of Ivan Ilynch” Ivan seemed to be afraid of death. Ivan lived a successful life, he had resp..."
I do agree with you because I also saw that he seem scare of dying. Also, it is true that he was having problems at home and that his wife was giving him a lot of stress. His wife seem like if she was only interested in the money and not so much about him.

Dave wrote: "Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

Once I finished reading "The Death of Ivan Ilych" I made the presumption that Ivan is terrified of not obtaining society's approval. He se..."
I do agree with you because I also saw at first that he wanted to be accepted by society. Although later in the novella I saw that he was scare of death.

Francisco wrote: "Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

In the Novella "The Death of Ivan Ilych" it seems like Ivan is afraid or scare..."
I do agree that I also saw that he wanted to be accepted by society but tours the end I notice that he was mostly scare of death. He was scare of death because it is shown that he just wanted to forget about it and that he did not wanted to realize that he was dying.

Mary wrote: "Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

Ivan simply may be scared of death. He wasn’t always scared but the last line in chapter six states Ivan was becoming aware of his mortali..."

I agree he was probably scared of death. The narrator states, “was in continue despair” which means he was sad and could not even grasp or believe he was going to die. I agree with you too that Ivan was becoming aware more of his mortality that he eventually had to die, but could not believe the time had arrived.

Monica wrote: "After reading the first part of “The Death of Ivan Ilynch” I can conclude that what he was most scared of was death. As it is mentions in the novella, just the thought of his illness being terminal..."

I agree his life was coming to an end and he was scared. The novella says how he could not even “grasp” the idea of death. He could not believe it. He had lived his whole life that when someone said his name it would be remembered as respectful to society. It was almost to,the point maybe that he had not really lived a good life.

Luis wrote: "Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

After reading the first part of the Death of Ivan Ilych I can conclude that what Ivan really feared was his demise. He had work really har..."
Yes, I do agree with you he seems depress and lonely. Ivan Ilych is trying to explain to his wife what the doctor told him and she didn’t care. His illness and lack of attention of his wife also I think makes him not care at the end.

Eduardo wrote: "I believe fear is one of the feelings that drive individuals, like it did with Ivan llych. Society and even religion uses fear as results to induce individuals to control their ego. The Death of Iv..."
I do think Ivan had fear of dying and leaving everything he had accomplished. Ivan peers wonder who is going to take his place. As for his wife she was more concerned with money.

Mary wrote: "Ivan simply may be scared of death. He wasn’t always scared but the last line in chapter six states Ivan was becoming aware of his mortali..."

I agree with you Mary, the fact that Ivan didn't know what was wrong with him, or if he was going to live or die was frustrating to him since he couldn't control it. the fact that he couldn't control his death scared him, and it even scared him more since there was no one to tell him what was going to happen next.

Rebecca wrote: "Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

After reading the first part of “The Death of Ivan Ilych”, I believe that Ivan was scared of death in a way that his time on this earth wo..."
Your right Rebecca, Ivan wanted to please everyone and wanted more than just be middle class. I do think he was afraid of dying alone. When he died he relived the living from him and himself from his suffering.

Amalia wrote: "After reading The Death of Ivan Llych I concluded that Ivan was scared of death. “Tell me is this generally a dangerous illness or not,?..."

I totally agree with you Amalia, deep inside everyone is scared of dying since we don't know what to expect after we are gone. No body has ever seen what happens after we die to tell us what to expect, so basically we would never know until its our turn to die.

I agree with you Rebecca,Ivan had fear of the unknown and aswell of dying.I also believe that Ivan did not feel sympathy towards his wife, yet pity, and saw reality of humankind in his child, that is, the thing that it intended to be genuinely human.

Thats true Luis he spent his life pleasing other people yet forgot the most important part of life which is happiness withing your self.Truth be told some of us go on living gratifying others and end up unfulfilled.

Katia wrote: "In "the Death of Ivan Ilych", Ivan,the main character in this novella, is a simple man who has a common life. In his young age, he was characterized to be happy and nice person. When he was a young..."

I guess fear of death is one of the factors that terrorize Ivan. But, if I there is something that terrorizes Ivan the most, would be the fact that people may not be at his side when he dies. Just like wife; when Ivan tell how the doctor treated him, she responds without putting much attention to him, ""Well, I'm very glad," Said his wife; "now you must be sure and take the medicine regularly"

Maria L. wrote: "Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

“The Death of Ivan Ilych,” a novella written by Leo Tolstoy, is a story of a man called Ivan that is trying to find the recognition of dea..."
I agree with you maria I think his fear was to know that his last thing was death and that he was no longer be able to be a successful man and that at the end he was alone and with no love from their friends and family and I also agree with you when you said the history was sad and boring.

Elvia wrote: "Ivan Ilych had been a Judge in the Russian Judicial System before his death. According to Peter Ivanovich, a close friend that knew him well in his childhood, through college, and now had been a co..."

I agree with you Elvia the man in the history was scared of his own death due that he wanted to keep having his power on his position and he would not be able to increase his earns anymore.

Elizabeth wrote: "Ivan since a very young age strived to become a great person in life. He associated himself with the best in society and moved to another city in order to accomplish and get what he thought he dese..."

I agree with you when you mentioned that he thought he was something good among society and he wanted to be more than anyone else but at the end on his illness he was very scar of die and not be able to accomplished his dream anymore.

Maria wrote: "In the novella, "The Death of Ivan Ilych", Ivan seemed to be more scared of death. Most of the people are naturally scared of death for different reasons. For example, some may be scared for the si..."

This is interesting. While I agree with your view Ivan being scared of death and dying, I believe it went more deeper than that. I feel that by his dying, his greatest fear was losing it all. "His official pleasures lie in the gratification of his pride; his social pleasures lay in the gratification of his vanity" (Death of Ivan Ilych) He had it big and the loss of society was always a constant thorn at his side; even to his deathbed. Yes, you are right when you say Ivan was scared of death, however, aren't all humans? This is the reason why I didn't really give it much thought.

Jorge wrote: "Monica wrote: "What does Ivan seem to be most scared of?"

well from what i read in the story,”The death of Ivan Ilynch” Ivan seemed to be afraid of death. Ivan lived a successful life, he had resp..."

Wow. I never really thought of it that way. I just figured he was prideful in a way. I agree when you say that he had it hard with his family life; his wife being difficult and the sudden death of his children. However, I believe along the way he lost himself to his wealth and would simply "move on". I will say though, that I never really considered the idea of stress being the cause of death here. I don't blame you for believing that really. It makes sense when you bring all these factors that played a role in Ivan's life.