The Death of Ivan Ilych And Other Stories
on Goodreads (16,189)
What’s inside...
A collection of Tolstoy's short stories, including 'Master and Man,' 'Family Happiness,' and 'The Kreutzer Sonata.' With an introduction and notes by Dr T.C.B.Cook, this volume highlights Tolstoy's lesser-known yet masterly short stories. The book includes distinguished translations of four of his longest and best stories, exploring themes such as courtship, marriage, marital breakdown, sexual temptation, and mortality.
Age
18-21
Length
301 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Ivan Ilych
Ivan Ivanovich
Gerasim
Praskovya Fedorovna Golovina
Discussion points
How do you think Ivan Ilych felt about his life and the choices he made?
What do you think is the main message Tolstoy is trying to convey through the story?
How do the characters in the stories support or challenge Ivan's views on life and death?
Do you think the way people treated Ivan changed throughout the story? Why or why not?
What would you do differently if you were in Ivan's position?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters' decisions and actions, and how they might handle similar situations differently.
Discuss the moral and ethical dilemmas presented in the stories, helping your child understand complex human emotions and motivations.
Use real-life examples to draw parallels to the situations in the stories, making the themes more relatable and understandable for your child.
Pose hypothetical questions to stimulate your child’s critical thinking about how they would navigate the challenges faced by the characters.
Encourage your child to ask questions about the story’s context and historical setting, deepening their understanding and engagement with the text.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: Throughout 'The Death of Ivan Ilych,' readers witness the protagonist's isolation and suffering, which teaches the importance of empathy and compassion towards others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize when someone is in distress and understand the importance of offering support and kindness, whether it's helping a classmate who is struggling with an assignment or comforting a friend who is upset.
Example Lesson: The Consequences of Materialism
Explanation: Ivan Ilych's pursuit of material success leaves him unfulfilled and estranged from his family, illustrating the hollow rewards of valuing possessions over relationships.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of valuing human connections and experiences over material goods, promoting a more fulfilling and less materialistic lifestyle.
Example Lesson: Reflection on Life Choices
Explanation: As Ivan Ilych faces his mortality, he reflects on his life choices and realizes the importance of authenticity and moral integrity in one's actions.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to think about the long-term effects of their choices and to act according to what is genuinely important to them, such as being honest and treating others kindly.
Example Lesson: The Importance of Living a Meaningful Life
Explanation: The narrative of Ivan Ilych's life and death urges readers to consider what makes life truly meaningful, emphasizing values like love, family, and personal fulfillment over societal expectations.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to pursue activities and relationships that bring them joy and fulfillment rather than adhering strictly to societal or peer expectations.
Example Lesson: Acceptance of Mortality
Explanation: The story grapples with themes of death and the inevitability of mortality, encouraging a deeper understanding and acceptance of this natural aspect of life.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate life more fully and understand the natural cycle of life and death, fostering resilience and a mature perspective on life and loss.