The Death of Ivan Ilych
Reflection: The main protagonist Ivan Ilyich is presented by most accounts as a successful man. He has a good job as a judge, a respectable social circle, a family, and wealth. He seems to embody the social norms of success, and believes himself to be successful, yet his life is shallow and lacking real authenticity.
A small accident while decorating his newly purchased house leads to a fatal illness. This event and the ones that follow, highlight how fragile his life really is and how little remains of him once his status is stripped away.
At first, Ivan refuses to believe he will die. Death is something for others, not for him. His doctors treat him impersonally, as a 'case' much like he once treated his clients as a judge. This detachment drives him into despair and alienates him from his family.
His family, in turn, sees him more as a burden than as a loved one. Out of social obligation, they still speak with him, but the connection is thin. This underlines his loneliness and how society discards people once they are no longer 'useful'.
The exception is Gerasim, the servant, who treats Ivan with honesty and compassion. He does not fear death, and through him Ivan realizes that it is possible to live sincerely, instead of only following social expectations.
In the end, Ivan understands that the fear of death was worse than death itself. He finds a kind of release in this recognition.
Overall, I found this a good book and a nice introduction to (a translated version of) Tolstoy. For me, the main message is that while conformity is easy, living sincerely and morally is harder but more important. The book suggests that authenticity lies in honesty, compassion, and the acceptance of death, but it does not provide a clear picture of how such a life should be lived in practice. Perhaps this is something Tolstoy wants us to figure out for ourselves.