Welcome back to the second discussion of this story. So this is when we find out why the story is called "The Death of Ivan Ilych." I feel a little bad for him.

Summary

Ivan Ilych denied that he was dying. It's not possible. He was different than other mortals. He tried to focus on his work as a judge, but the pain distracted him. He made mistakes. While in the drawing room, he believed falling on his side caused it.

In three months, everyone in his circle knew he was dying and were waiting for him to go. There's the indignity of using a commode. The assistant butler Gerasim helped him. Ivan was embarrassed. He connected with Gerasim when he elevated and held his legs. Everyone else was in denial to his face that he was dying. He wished he was treated gently like a sick child.

Peter the footman gave him medicine which Ivan knew wouldn't work. He got ready for tea. Everything tasted bad. The doctor visited and pretended to care. Praskovya blamed her husband for not getting better. She had a specialist come over for her sake and not his. He talkes about Ivan's kidney and appendix, thus giving false hope.

Praskovya was dressed for the opera. They had reserved a box before his illness. His daughter Lisa and her fiancé Fëdor visited before they left. His young son looked tired and pitied him like Gerasim. They talked about opera and not the elephant in the room. When they leave, he called for Gerasim.

Praskovya saw him that night but he ordered her away. He ordered Gerasim away, too. Ivan Ilych wept and asked God why He would do this to him. All he wanted was to live and not suffer. He didn't think of his present life but his childhood. His recollections of his adult life were full of stress with work and his marriage. He did everything the proper way. He banished the thought that the proper way was wrong.

A fortnight passed. Ivan lay on the sofa. He paid attention to his organs and despaired. He remembered a time when he and his brother got in trouble for tearing their father's leather portfolio. His current suffering had no purpose. It's all downhill the older you get.

Two weeks later, Fëdor proposed to Lisa. Praskovya wanted to tell Ivan, but he told her to let him die in peace. The night before, he had admitted to himself that his life could have been wrong. He had lied to himself that his life was perfect.

His wife got a priest to visit so he could confess and take communion. It only helped ease his mind temporarily. More agony followed for three days. His son stood by his bed and kissed his father's hand. Praskovya cried. He told her to take Volodya away. In the final moment, Ivan Ilych was no longer afraid, let go, and died.

Extras

Marginalia

Kietzwetter's Logic

Court of Cassation

Sarah Bernhardt

This article about total pain and Ivan Ilych.

Come back on October 16 where u/luna2541 will talk about "The Kreutzer Sonata" chapters 1-15. Questions are in the comments.