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The Plot and Characters of Tolstoy's Novel - Essay Example

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One of the elements of the story discussed in the paper "The Plot and Characters of Tolstoy's Novel", is the protagonist: representing the central character in the story who does not necessarily have to be a hero. Another element is the antagonist whose ominous tone decides on the events to occur…

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The Plot and Characters of Tolstoys Novel

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Subject: Miscellaneous
Type: Essay
Level: Masters
Pages: 2 (500 words)
Downloads: 2
Author: shane03

Extract of sample "The Plot and Characters of Tolstoy's Novel"

The novel is a book written in prose where the writer tries to sketch a picture of ordinary life. The novella is considered a shorter piece of prose, also referred to as a short novel. The difference between them is not the content which can range from the different genres of fiction: romance or history, but the size of the work. Thus, both the novel and novella seek to present a prose piece of work that is different only in size.
Tolstoy presents his character in a light that is despicable to the reader. This character sketch can only be drawn because of the sequential turn of events in Ivan Ilych’s life. The momentum set up by the writer is vital in achieving the true goal of the story: a revelation into the life of Ivan Ilych. Had the story been written differently with the colleagues and the wake scene being given last the epiphany that is revealed to Ivan would have been lost. The story allows the reader to better understand the character’s change in opinion about life.
The suspense of the novel originates from the reader’s desire to better understand the reason behind Ivan’s death. As the story continues the reader notices the suffering in Ilych’s life. While the character had to understand his life’s failures now it’s coupled with physical pain which worsens his loneliness and hatred. The suspense is created because of the beginning which makes the reader wonder: will Ivan reconcile with his death or will the story end happily?
An instance of the torment Ivan puts his family through is evident in his widow’s description of his last days “He screamed unceasingly……..Oh, what I have suffered!” A grieving widow should remember the good qualities instead she chooses to remember the relentless nights she suffered with her husband’s illness. Peter Ivanovich on the other hand is mortified by the idea of death itself “death was an accident natural to Ivan Ilych but certainly not to himself.” Yet at the same instance, we see how Ivan’s wife switches from her grief “How terribly, terribly hard” to discuss the details of the money she will receive after her husband’s death. This move from death to the material world is a shift that shows the triviality of death for those who are living.
The dual existence of Ivan is one of the most striking aspects of the story. While living the life of any ordinary member of society, Ivan convinces himself to be an individual belonging to the upper stratus of society. This lack of admission can be seen as an important cause behind his failure at home and work. Thus, this oblivion to reality is seen as an important cause behind Ivan’s downfall, corrected by his revelation only when the story ends.

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