The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy - Book Report/Review Example

Texts chosen: The book of Job, one of the wisdom books of the Bible Fyodor Dostoyevskys s from Underground" 1864 Franz Kafka "The Castle", 1922 The Death of Ivan Ilych  by Leo Tolstoy Zaabalawi From ancient times suffering has been considered as an integral part of life and this is a theme that has recurred in the writings of almost every culture and civilization. Although the theme has been addressed by many Prophets and creative minds, the treatment of the same has always differed from each other. It is the study of these treatments and perspectives that is interesting. Delving deep into the subject of suffering, it can be found that the attitude towards this negative aspect of life has always been more influenced by the writers personal and social experiences than his/her cultural heritage. Apart from the didactic writings like "The Book of Job" that was written to guide the values of a culture and a society, the other selected texts provide a glimpse of the society and its reality as seen by the author. It provides the perspective of the society towards suffering. While Dostoyevskys "Notes from Underground", and Franz Kafkas "The Castle" provide an existential perspective towards suffering, Leo Tolstoys "The Death of Ivan Ilych" and Naguib Mahfouz’s short story “Zaabalawi” introspect suffering. Job 13:15 - "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him..." (NIV). "The Book of Job" provides the view of the ancient society towards suffering. A part of the "Wisdom book" of Bible, it tries to establish through the problem of suffering, the sovereignty of God. Even a righteous man like Job has to suffer to prove his integrity towards God. The main theme that the book addresses is, ": "Can a favored, righteous person hold on to their faith in God when things go wrong?"and although Job suffers the death of his children and the sores all over his body afflicted by Satan, he holds to his innocence and belief in the sovereign God. It is interesting to note that Job is visited by three friends who undoubtedly depict the skeptical minds of the society, who try to find a logical relation between Jobs suffering and his deeds. However, Gods rebuke of his friends at the end suggests that suffering as it comes in life should not be questioned. It should be accepted as pointed out by the fourth visitor Elihu, a mode of "purification". God chooses to "purify" the soul of its subjects through suffering. Another point that should be noted is, after suffering comes reward. Neither did Job question Gods actions nor did he give away his faith and thus at the end, he received bounty reward from God. The attitude towards suffering thus was one of silent acceptance, believing in the ultimate good. The book preaches, God is the highest law in the universe and that often his reasons are known only to him." If the suffering in discussed above was external, the one pointed out by Leo Tolstoy in "The Death of Ivan Ilych" is as much external as it is internal. Ivan now sick and dying, is tormented as much in his mind as he is physically. It is interesting to note that the third person author, who from time to time points at the false pomp, glory and recognition that Ivan was happily enjoying, towards the end of the novel grows sympathetic to the soul that was repenting and suffering. Here again it should be noted that, the author brings in a figure of all good to build a trust in humanity. Gerasims motto " do unto others as you would have them do unto you” has a religious touch in it. Tolstoy as many say, was himself searching for spirituality in his personal life, painted his anti-hero with the same color. At the end of the novel, as Ivans suffering reaches its crescendo with all his family and friends gone, he starts realizing his mistakes and finds peace. The presence of Gerasim makes the reader believe that the suffering is not for all; that the righteous will be at peace and happy. A similar kind of introspective view towards suffering can be found in Naguib Mahfouz’s short story "Zaabalawi." The story that traces the journey of the protagonist to find "Zaabalawi" to cure his illness ends with a realization that it is not "without" but "within" him. However, the author does not restrict his idea of suffering to individual suffering and extends it to the suffering and despair of the society. While in his quest for Zaabalawi, the protagonist reaches an inner city which he describes as - "I went to Birgawi Residence which was situated in a thickly populated quarter. I found that time had so eaten into the building that nothing was left of it save an antiquated facade and a courtyard which, despite it being supposedly in the charge of a caretaker, was being used as a rubbish dump.” This undoubtedly points towards the suffering of the society as seen by the author/protagonist. Jakarta Alchura while providing a study of the short story mentions how the author of the short story depicts the society of his time. He mentions that the phrase "as rubbish dump" and use of personification in "time had so eaten into the building" points towards the decaying society as seen by the author. However, even in such a situation, the author did not turn the story to depict God as something that Read More