Modernism in the Novel The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

“Ivan Ilych’s life had been most simple and most ordinary and [therefore] most terrible” (Tolstoy ch. II). Artificiality and vain pursuits marked the life of the average middle class man in the modern era. Tolstoy recognized this approach to life and, as stated above, found it most terrible because of its dreadful simplicity and normality. In the story of Ivan Ilych, Tolstoy not only demonstrates the unfulfilling nature of modernism using the life of Ivan Ilych as an example, but also provides the answer to the modernist problem – repentance in the form of authentic compassion and love for others as opposed to oneself.

The problem with Ivan Ilych is that he was never content with what he had. His life was simple in that he was always conforming to what the mass was doing. There are a number of examples of his switching jobs or homes to gain social status or money. His constant claim was that he did not have enough money to supplement his family’s living expenses or that he needed what the other aristocrats had.

Tolstoy puts this in a light where it is very obvious that Ivan is quite shallow in his thinking and desiring only what will gain himself approval among his peers.

The character that provides the answer to the modernist problem is Ivan’s humble nurse, Gerasim. He not only brings Ivan physical care but also spiritual care in empathizing with him and showing authentically his compassion. While Ivan seeks a life of enjoyment yet finds himself never satisfied, Gerasim seeks the lives of others and is content with his life, despite his position.

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At the end of the story when Ivan is about to die, he eventually does find joy. Upon seeing the tears on his wife’s face, he becomes filled with compassion. Suddenly he realizes that his fear of death is no more for it has been replaced with light and understanding. Gerasim’s influence has had some level of affect on Ivan’s outlook on life. He has now discovered joy and fulfillment, yet not as a result of his artificial life of selfishness, but merely on account of having witnessed such fulfillment in another. His single act of genuine compassion towards his wife was enough to revert him from his foolish thoughts of life and death. He became confident in his uncertainty towards what would come after death.

This confident uncertainty, otherwise known as faith, is essential in my life of continual doubt, selfishness, and conforming to other people’s views. The example of Ivan Ilych presents me with firm evidence of an unfulfilling life which I should not follow, as well as that the power of a single authentic act of love is insurmountable to the point of imparting lasting fulfillment to one whose life did not show the slightest sign of fulfillment. How much more ought I to lead a whole life of faith.