Ivan Ilych Flashcards
What is the setting and how do we know?
Russian officials in the judicial system
“Melvinski trial”
What is the purpose of the repeated use of the term “rebellious springs” when describing the Ottoman?
This is the same furniture that Ivan hurt himself for
Even the furniture is “rebelling” against the insulation of the society
Why are the children described as “offended?”
Everyone is too bound up in their own concerns to feel the any human feeling for the fact that one of their number has died
The daughter’s plans for betrothal have been temporarily upended by Ivan’s death
What is the significance of the syllogism in Chapter 6 (Caius is a man, etc.)
This is an abstract logical problem that he had no trouble understanding as a student, but he has never made the leap to understanding it specifically - i.e., he is the same as Caius
When Ivan begins to realise that he is dying, why does he us “It” to refer to the idea?
avoiding true realization of the idea of Death
Screening it out (insofar as that is possible)
What makes Gerasim special?
Compassion
Awareness of the reality of Death
Joy in life as a result
“Not to be loved, but to love”
What is the significance of Ivan’s death throes lasting for three days?
Parallel with the Crucifixion
