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The Death of Ivan Ilyich delves into the theme of death and how the protagonist, Ivan Ilyich, grapples with his mortality. It also examines how Ivan Ilyich's family members handle his approaching death, following the five stages of grief in the Kubler Ross models . Through Ivan Ilyich's illness and ultimate passing, the novella sheds light on the ethical and moral reactions of those around him.
Dr. Kubler-Ross introduced a model that includes the five stages of grief related to loss or, in Ivan Ilyich's case, dying: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
These stages may not always follow a strict sequence and can sometimes intersect. Although there is no fixed timeline for experiencing these stages, Ivan Ilyich experiences all of them at various points.
Shortly after Ivan Ilyich bumped himself on the window knob, he frequently recounted the incident but claimed he was okay. Despite acknowledging a small bruise and some pain, he refused to admit to any further issues.
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The pain persisted, unaffected by his denials. Eventually, after a few months, Ivan Ilyich began to mention "a strange taste in his mouth and some discomfort on his left side" (p 63), yet he still adamantly denied that anything serious could be amiss. It appeared that denial and anger were closely intertwined in Ivan Ilyich's situation.
As Ivan Ilyich's side pain worsened, he grew more restless and unpleasant until he finally acknowledged that his irritability stemmed from his illness (p64). Though he was not prepared to face death, he did come to accept his illness.
Once he sought medical assistance, Ivan Ilyich understood the gravity of his condition. Doctors during that time were obligated by the Hippocratic Oath to prioritize nonmaleficence, ensuring they caused no harm to their patients. Following his initial appointment, Ivan Ilyich realized the seriousness of his situation, even though he initially believed it was insignificant (p 65).
After his initial doctor visit, Ivan Ilyich's depression began to set in. He had never paid much attention to his pain before, but now it consumed him with distress. The aloof doctor provided few answers, leaving Ivan Ilyich to imagine the worst. Despite consulting several specialists, his condition did not improve. His brother-in-law was surprised by Ivan Ilyich's transformation. Desperate, Ivan Ilyich sought out another doctor whom he believed to be knowledgeable in the field.
During his visit to the last doctor, Ivan Ilyich was briefly optimistic that he just needed to assist nature in his recovery. He tried to remind himself to take the prescribed medicine regularly, although he often forgot. His self-talk became more positive as he convinced himself that he was already feeling better. However, this optimism quickly faded as the pain returned, leading him to angrily accept his fate by acknowledging that he would soon be gone. Despite feeling a mix of emotions, including acceptance, anger, and depression, Ivan Ilyich believed that his family was unaware of his impending death and indifferent towards him.
Despite their lack of a highly educated demeanor, Ivan Ilyich's doctors seemed to have a limited understanding of the human body due to the technology constraints of the era. Despite seeing several doctors, they all suspected issues with either his kidney or caecum, all while exuding an "exaggerated air of importance."
The doctors treated Ivan Ilyich as an object rather than a person, delivering their findings without much consideration for his emotions. When asked about the severity of his condition, one doctor bluntly stated that he had already provided the essential information. In contrast to the traditionalists of the 1920s and 1930s who upheld the unquestionable authority of doctors, these practitioners appeared to lack compassion and empathy towards their patients. Ivan Ilyich sought answers that would offer him solace but encountered doctors who were distant and formal instead of warm and compassionate.
Despite Ivan Ilyich's family and household staff disregarding his complaints and behaving as if he were a child, they continued with their daily tasks while his health declined. His wife paid little attention to his emotional outbursts, prioritizing her own preparations for the day. His children rarely visited him, leaving his care in the hands of the servants. Instead of avoiding him, they could have shown affection and empathy by spending time with him, boosting his morale, and attending to his needs.
Gerasim, Ivan Ilyich's servant in the pantry, showed remarkable kindness to his dying master by willingly taking on any task, no matter how time-consuming, difficult, or unpleasant. He demonstrated understanding for Ivan Ilyich's situation when he said "we all have to die sometime, so why shouldn't I help you?" (p 87), treating him with compassion, thoughtfulness, and respect until the very end.
During the early stages of Ivan Ilyich's illness, he was able to discuss his condition with the doctor and make choices. However, because of the limitations of that time period, the doctor couldn't give all the necessary information for a fully informed decision. Unlike today's standards of informed consent, this concept didn't exist in the past. Doctors back then had less knowledge and skills compared to now and felt it was their responsibility to decide without patient input. Consequently, Ivan Ilyich had to depend solely on the doctor's advice, which limited his autonomy in decision-making.
Under Maszlow's hierarchy of needs, Ivan Ilyich's basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter were met initially. The doctors provided pain medication but no sense of security or understanding. His family did not offer a sense of belonging, love, or understanding - during his illness, Ivan Ilyich was mostly left to the servants for care and was ostracized by his family.
As Ivan Ilyich's illness advanced, his wife and doctors assumed responsibility for his decisions and treatment. They organized his medical appointments, supplied him with specialized meals, and recommended medication to alleviate his suffering. With many aspects of his life being overseen on his behalf, paternalism was required since he was incapable of taking care of himself.
The _Death of Ivan Ilyich_ follows a man's journey through the stages of death. Initially denying his mortality, Ivan Ilyich moves through denial, anger, and bargaining before reaching acceptance. In this final stage, he realizes his life has been unfulfilling due to materialistic pursuits. He wonders if his lifestyle led to his painful death. As he nears the end of his life, Ivan finds comfort in the love and compassion shown by his family.
Ivan Ilyich's Journey Through Death. (2016, Aug 07). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-death-of-ivan-ilyich-by-leo-tolstoy-2-essay
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