The Role of Gerasim in The Death of Ivan Ilych - Essay Example

His work cronies read the obituary in the local newspaper and have two thoughts. The first one, an opening will occur in the department and one of them will be promoted. They begin to fantasize about the higher pay and status of the new position. The second one, they will have to go through the formalities of visiting the family, attending the funeral and subsequent burial. They are not saddened or upset, they think of this as an inconvenience "his so-called friends, could not help thinking also that they would now have to fulfil [sic] the very tiresome demands of propriety by attending the funeral service and paying a visit of condolence to the widow" (Tolstoy, 248).

From this view, we see that Ivan does not have strong social ties to his community and his friends have superficial personalities. This concept is foreshadowing of Ivan personality, since later in the story we learn about his supercilious beliefs. Gerasim is briefly introduced to us at the viewing. He is spreading deodorant about the house, especially in the room that contains Ivan's body. One mourner noticing the decomposing odor thinks about the last time he saw Gerasim "in the study. Ivan Ilych had been particularly fond of him and he [Gerasim] was performing the duty of a sick nurse" (250).

It is alluded at this point in the story that Gerasim's has more than a servant/master relationship with Ivan. He sits with Ivan's body and helps the guests when they are ready to leave. When one comments to Gerasim about the state of affairs, he replies "'It's God's will. We shall all come to it some day'" (254). He embodies the stability of the peasantry. He is strong, emotionally balanced, and knows that death is a part of life. He is not bothered by it, just takes it respectfully in stride.

The narrator begins to describe Ivan's shallow life, and tells us "Ivan Ilych's life has been most simple and most ordinary and therefore most terrible" (255). Ivan is average in every aspect, even in his death, though he did not begin that way. He is the middle child in his family, and his family had high hopes for his success. Well educated, with a good personality, and great career prospects while he performs as expected by his society. He marries a boring pretentious woman because she is appropriate and will place him ahead of his colleagues on the career ladder.

He liked marriage in the beginning, but as the children came along, his relationship with his wife changes. She became shrewish, jealous, and concerned with money (or the lack thereof). Ivan decided that he should put more effort into this career, since spending more time at work will keep him away from his wife. They lived their life in mediocrity. Years later, Ivan gets a prestigious promotion, a newly decorated house, "and all went well, without change, and life flowed pleasantly" (269).

Until Ivan's illness is uncovered and undiagnosed. It is surreptitious at first, and then it affects his moods and relationship with his family. They think he is being temperamental and moody, but Ivan is convinced he is seriously ill. He visits a series of physicians and they offer a variety of innocuous diagnoses and advise treatment and diet constraints. Ivan does not respond to any of the suggestions and falls deeper into his illness, slightly